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How To Live Your Dash
Includes the original poem “The Dash.”
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
In 1996, an announcer read Linda's Ellis's poem “The Dash” aloud on a syndicated radio program--and, to her surprise, it became an instant, meteoric success. Calls came in from people around the country eager to tell Linda how her words had touched their hearts. That was the beginning of an enduring phenomenon.
Live Your Dash captures and expands upon the theme of the original poem: It's not your birth or death that matters most, but how you spend each passing year. Linda shares her message of joy, hope, and positive energy through uplifting stories, essays, and poetry, along with tales of people who have been "touched by the dash," including Bob Dole, legendary football coach Lou Holtz, and American Idol winner David Cook. An inspiring look at life based on the fantastically successful poem.
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
In 1996, an announcer read Linda's Ellis's poem “The Dash” aloud on a syndicated radio program--and, to her surprise, it became an instant, meteoric success. Calls came in from people around the country eager to tell Linda how her words had touched their hearts. That was the beginning of an enduring phenomenon.
Live Your Dash captures and expands upon the theme of the original poem: It's not your birth or death that matters most, but how you spend each passing year. Linda shares her message of joy, hope, and positive energy through uplifting stories, essays, and poetry, along with tales of people who have been "touched by the dash," including Bob Dole, legendary football coach Lou Holtz, and American Idol winner David Cook. An inspiring look at life based on the fantastically successful poem.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
57 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2015
Many times I’ve seen and read “The Dash” poem and loved it. Unfortunately, we most often see this as part of the end of life funeral gift. I wanted to read this book to be a little more introspective and consider if I am spending my time doing what is most important to me and if that’s how I want to be remembered. The book is broken into numerous small stories. It is easy to have enough to think about after reading a couple stories. I enjoyed the frequency of motivational quotes and poems throughout the book.
The book begins with a new meaning for RIP. Instead of Rest In Peace as an end of life statement. Think of this as Recognize, Implement, Proceed to assist in the living of life.
We are all going to die. Stop worrying, start loving and living! Where ever you find yourself, be there. Spend your previous minutes on what matters.
What harm does it do to filter your memories; focus on the good, the happy, the joyous and the cheerful memories of your life. You don’t have to forget the negative memories but you can archive them! Think of your future as looking through a large windshield and your troubled past as looking in the rearview mirror.
As defined by Linda, I am A Silly Person. I often try to insert humor, regardless of the circumstances. I prefer fun and to find the lighter side of most situations. I laugh at myself and sometimes even outloud!
Remove the invisible fences you have subconsciously installed – allow yourself to venture beyond your safety zones and toward your dreams, hopes and goals. Embrace your blunders, for they are lessons in disguise.
Draw strength and benefit from solitude. Quiet moments offer opportunities to listen instead of hear. They provide a calmness that can replenish, renew and regenerate.
Each day you wake up on the right side of the soil, you owe it to yourself to live that day to the fullest.
The book begins with a new meaning for RIP. Instead of Rest In Peace as an end of life statement. Think of this as Recognize, Implement, Proceed to assist in the living of life.
We are all going to die. Stop worrying, start loving and living! Where ever you find yourself, be there. Spend your previous minutes on what matters.
What harm does it do to filter your memories; focus on the good, the happy, the joyous and the cheerful memories of your life. You don’t have to forget the negative memories but you can archive them! Think of your future as looking through a large windshield and your troubled past as looking in the rearview mirror.
As defined by Linda, I am A Silly Person. I often try to insert humor, regardless of the circumstances. I prefer fun and to find the lighter side of most situations. I laugh at myself and sometimes even outloud!
Remove the invisible fences you have subconsciously installed – allow yourself to venture beyond your safety zones and toward your dreams, hopes and goals. Embrace your blunders, for they are lessons in disguise.
Draw strength and benefit from solitude. Quiet moments offer opportunities to listen instead of hear. They provide a calmness that can replenish, renew and regenerate.
Each day you wake up on the right side of the soil, you owe it to yourself to live that day to the fullest.
March 16, 2013
Very thought-provoking in the idea that we ultimately "choose" happiness on any given day. Good book for anyone looking to get a jump start on an attitude adjustment
July 27, 2013
Should be read by everyone! And more than once!! Read anytime you aren't following your truth to the MAX!!!!
July 21, 2015
This was recommended to me by one of my students who I admire greatly. After reading it, I felt like he has taken all of the great parts of this book and lives them to the utmost. It is a quick read, with lots of self-help tips to make sure that you live every moment to its very best. Some parts were a bit contradictory, but I did enjoy it. If nothing else, it helped me take a a little time to really evaluate how I use my moments.
May 3, 2013
There are some ideas in this book that are thought-provoking. The poems are simple and relatively juvenile, but they express the views presented. It's a nice book to have around to pick up once in a while just to remind you to slow down and enjoy life.
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July 14, 2012Excellent story! It really makes you re-think so many aspects of life. We all need to learn how to live the dash a little better. Love it...easy read.
August 15, 2013
Good bite size stories and inspirational messages. I really enjoyed this and picked up some good ideas.
March 6, 2014
Excellent book, very thought provoking, easy style. Beautiful poems, if read only for the poems you would have a good read.
The Dash poem says it all
The Dash poem says it all
December 10, 2019
Since I first read the poem, “The Dash” about a decade ago it has had an impact on me in a profound way in the way I have chosen to live life. After recently finding Linda Ellis’ book, “Live Your Dash”, it further reinforces my philosophy and belief that we are created and placed here to live our dash, no matter what length, to our fullest purpose and always with love being our guide. In reading this book I am in awe of how like minded we are, and I too, believe these are no mere coincidences.
May 10, 2022
The idea itself is nice, as a poem it's great. Though as a book it's rather empty, it's just reminder for common truths without any tangible detail how to live by it. At moments it felt even quite braggy.
June 13, 2017
I am on my second read through of what I consider a daily devotional. A person can't read this book without coming away encouraged, and challenged.
June 1, 2018
A beautiful blend of storytelling, poetry, and self-help.
October 9, 2019
What a simple but powerful message! Make every day count, you never know your expiration date. Live your life each day.
December 10, 2019
Some things in this book were really great but it was mostly filled with cliches.
February 2, 2020
It was good. Some parts were better than others.
August 15, 2020
Excellent! One of the Top 20 books on my all-time reading list.
September 20, 2016
The poem, "The Dash," is so powerful that I had to grab this book and soak up all of it's insight, encouragement and hope. It's full of inspiration and gives the reader much to contemplate about their life and truly living "their dash."
April 8, 2023
I re-read this book today. I had to because I've been feeling stressed and that my life isn't impactful. I want to make sure that I live my dash the way that God wants me to. April is also a difficult month for me as it is the time that my dad died. I believe that he truly lived and made a difference during his dash. I'm grateful that I purchased this book and read it the first time in 2014. I'm encouraged again today by re-reading this book.
April 3, 2015
Everyone should read this book. With highlighters. Twice. Three times, even.
June 7, 2015
Full review posted on my blog, Nut Free Nerd:http://nutfreenerd.com/2015/04/09/boo...
November 18, 2016
I really liked to pick up this book when I am feeling down or questioning a lot of things in life. This is definitely a refreshing book to read when you feel lost.
April 20, 2025
Excellentè book. Adding it to our book club selection. I was upset about the white lie section.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews