Would You Choose YOU?
Excerpt from LIVE YOUR DASH by Linda Ellis:
Are you the friend to others you believe yourself to be? Do you give more than you take from relationships? Do you possess the qualities you seek or admire in others? Think about this question honestly: If you were given the opportunity, knowing all that you know, would you choose you as a friend, confidant, spouse, or companion?
Many of you will be driven by your own egos to answer that last question with a resounding, “yes.” But are you being completely truthful with yourself? You want your friends to be thoughtful. Are you thoughtful? You want your companions to be trustworthy. Are you worthy of their trust? You want your family members to be caring. Are you there to offer them love and compassion when they need it most?
If you hesitated answering the, “Would you choose you?” question, why? Are you not the type of person you’d like others in your life to be? Do you not possess the attributes yourself that you prefer your friends, family, and companions to have? Is that acceptable to you, or do you wish to fill the gap between who you are and who you’d like to be?
If you were asked to write a short list of adjectives that you would want people to choose to describe your dash after you leave this earth, and then to write a short, honest list of adjectives you believe people would use, how would they compare? What small things can you do today to ensure the two lists align with one another? Maybe you could call an old friend, offer an apology, be more generous, forgiving, and helpful, perform A-OKs (Acts of Kindness), smile more, complain less. Whatever tasks or improvements you feel would fill the gap between who you are and who you want to be, you can begin applying them—today.
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i was really moved by what you wrote it really touched my heart may god bless you
I have bought at least 15 copies of your book The Dash from Simple Truths. Today I ordered another 5 from them. I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing your book as been to those who I have given this book. God has given me the gift of exhortation, and I seem to be able to encourage people when I’m not even trying, which is why I know that it is God. When I first read The Dash, I felt that God wanted me to share this book with others. I have a couple of very close friends who received this book from me tell me that whenever they feel depressed, alone, having a pity-party for one, they re-read your book and immediately have an attitude adjustment, realizing how blessed they are, and focusing on what they think God’s purpose for their lives might be. I would love to hear you speak and share more personal of my personal stories regarding how your book has affected some of my friends and daughters in a very positive way. Please continue to let God use you. By the way, I live in Kennesaw, GA. I don’t know where you live, but I would love to attend one of your bible study sessions. Please let me know if this is possible. Thank you so much for your sharing your inspirational gift.
Gwendolyn Jones.
I have read this poem at many funerals and each time people ask “Can I have a copy of that poem you read, It is so touching.”It has taught me to be extremely careful about the life I live and I will continue to share it whenever I get the opportunity. God bless.