The Dash
THE DASH poem — written by Linda Ellis one afternoon in 1996, has been enjoyed by millions over the years and is one of the most widely read poems in the world today. The Dash is responsible for changing attitudes and subsequently, thousands of lives around the world. Following the success of her gift book, The Dash – Making a Difference with Your Life…in 2011, Linda Ellis’ wonderfully inspiring new book titled: LIVE YOUR DASH was published! The concept of the dash (that little line in between your dates of birth and death which represents all the days you’ll live on earth), the words and the meaning behind the poem leaves the reader thinking differently about life and what’s important.
The Dash poem is the subject of a short inspirational movie which is one of the most successful movies of its’ kind — having been visited by over 30 million viewers. “The Dash”, a beautiful pictorial gift book written in conjunction with Mac Anderson, founder of Successories, has sold over 300,000 copies. In 2011, Linda Ellis’ latest book titled LIVE YOUR DASH was published!
Read more about The Story Behind The Dash poem.
How have you been Touched by The Dash?
Watch The Dash movie | Preview The Dash gift book | The Dash gifts
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I read the poem for the first time & it was so heart warming. My 19 year old neice was killed in a car accident on 12/8/10 and it just hit home! What a wonderful poem. It is truely from the writers heart!
The “Living Your Dash” poem was recently read at my cousins memorial. It was beautiful and there was not a dry eye.
I just read your poem and it has touched my heart. My husband passed away in October at a young age of 55. When I read you poem it was comforting .
I just heard this poem today at my Aunt’s funeral and it touched my heart. Very beautiful
I heard about this poem this past Tuesday at a women’s only Alcoholics Anonymous. I was SO moved by the “meaning” of the poem that I have actually though about it everyday since. I have thought about what my “dash” has been the last 47 years of my life and what I want my “dash” to be for my remaining days. Thank you, Ms Ellis, for writing such a profound poem…I truly appreciate it!
I heard The Dash at my school graduation. I was there to say goodbye to many friends and our principle spoke the poem to inspire our senior class. It was an amazing poem and the only part of the ceremony I was actually listening to. It just set the mood for the goodbyes that I made that evening and really showed how it is not the beginning or the end that counts, but the middle between them.
I heard the poem for the first time last Friday night at a friend’s mom’s wake. I told my husband we had to get a copy of the poem. I am participating in an endurance even to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and believe it should be read during our mission moment at our next training. It moved me and I think it will have an impact on everyone participating.
My government teacher read the poem at our commencement speech at the Baccalaureate ceremony
I first heard this poem only 2 weeks ago when a good friend used it as part of the Eulogy at my Father Inlaws funeral. It really is true, such a beautiful & moving piece.
I have been dealing with disabling health issues for years and then lost my job two years ago. I let depression get the better of me and I checked out of LIVING my life.
I recently attended the funeral of my son’s 14 yr old friend who was killed in a car accident.The pastor read “The Dash” and I felt as if God Himself was telling ME that I was wasting MY dash.
I found the follow up poem “Live Your Dash” which is now my new mantra. Ms Ellis, God has given you a great gift, thanks so much for sharing it; you may have saved a life!
REST IN PEACE!! CODY 10/11/1996 — 10/18/2010
This was my sister’s favorite poem. She always talked about it and cried whenever she read it. We just lost her and I can tell you she used her dash well. She touched many lives even though her life was much too short. I don’t think she really knew how many people loved her and her laugh. We read the poem for her during her service. Thank you.
We recently and unexpetedly lost a co-worker whom I personally have worked with for the past 9 years; many of my co-workers even longer. I plan on playing this video at our start of shift tomorrow. Ironically, it is so inspirining and uplifting that my hope is it will touch a few lives here at work and help us treat eachother better.
My father passed away less than two weeks ago. As a tribute to his life, we used ‘The Dash’ as part of his Memorial Service. What a beautifully written poem that embodies what life should be about. Not how we begin and end, but the beautiful things that are done in between. Thanks for sharing a meaningful and beautiful poem with the world and our family.
My partner of 65 years passed and we used the “Dash” as part of the eulogy as we spread her ashes.
Sun, September 6, 2009 9:01:12 PM
Mama’s tribute
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From:
Gerri Gribi
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To: ranlcc2@yahoo.com
I first heard this poem in the mid eighties by a local radio host who had a Saturday morning program on WKRC Cincinnati Ohio. I requested a copy of it and occasionally would pull it out of my file to reread it.On Sept. 29 2007 my partner of 65 years passed. Our family had a private service on the banks of a beautiful creek in Adams County Ohio and my daughter read “The Dash” as we spread her ashes.
I will read this poem at my friend’s funeral tomorrow
9/13/10 Dutch Dilligard in Charleston, S.C.
We read the dash at my dad’s life service. What a moving poem ! My dad didn’t have a lot of space between his birth and his passing , but did he ever put a lot of experiences in that space.
Thank you for having the insight to write THE DASH.It is a loving and purposeful way to remember someone and their life. Thank you
Cheryl Atkinson
I heard the poem read for the first time at my father’s funeral performed military style. The words really hit home and made me rethink alot about life.
I love this poem and I read it at the Eulogy of my mother’s funeral and I heard it at the Eulogy of a freind’s funeral and it says so much.
I want this poem to be read at my funeral. It has so touched my heart.
I heard this read at my wife’s aunt’s funeral, how simple yet so moving.
I heard this read yesterday at a Memorial Service for a resident of my Mom’s Assisted Living Home.
Very moving. Great perspective.
It shows a positive way to view the passing over of a loved one.
Namaste’ ,
ray
I love the Dash. I can’t remember when someone shared it with me. It is soooo true. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent.