I grew up in a small valley where we only had access to one radio station (Radio Ocoa) and no newspaper.
Every day, around noon or so, they would announce the town obituaries and I used to be fascinated by them. I started to write my obituary/eulogy wherever I could – on the back page of my notebooks, my special notebook with quotes and romantic stuff, or even on empty spaces of my new testament. (Laugh Out Loud) I was probably 8 or 9.
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today ~ Malcolm X
I don’t remember exactly what I wrote, but I do remember it was mostly a celebration of the love and success of my life. It was really motivating to me to create a vision of how I lived a happy life, achieving what, at the time, I believed to be a success.
It is sort of like habit #2 of Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
Then a few years ago, I read a poem by Linda Ellis and it all made sense to me.
The Dash Poem (By Linda Ellis)
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning…to the end
He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
Know what that little line is worth
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash
Might only last a little while
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent YOUR dash?
How would you describe “your dash” so far?
How will others describe it when you pass?
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Begin with the end in mind…
Having a vision of the future affects how we act today.
How we act today affects the legacy we will leave to future generations. This legacy can influence even more generations to come.
When you lead a purpose driven life, you have a clear sense of direction to guide you toward having what you want to have, doing what you want to do, and being who you want to become.
What is your life purpose?
What amazing legacy are you building today?
The Future Belongs To Those Who Prepare For It Today – Malcolm X
Elayna is a single mom of 4, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 4x TEDx speaker. Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results, so you can have the wealth, opportunities, and freedom you deserve. Connect with Elayna Fernández at thepositivemom.com/keynote-speaker and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.
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