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 her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (l920-l995) For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
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 that this special dash
Might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash? --Linda Ellis

When the sun announces the dawning day
Just flex your muscles and start on your way.
Go over, or under, around, or through
Any obstacles or hurdles that challenge you. Cast aside the failures of yesterday.
Forget the peaks and valleys that have paved your way.
Wipe the sweat from your brow and the dust from your shoe.
Take a breath and relax so that you may begin anew.
There’s a new day coming. Forget the burdens and obstacles that have held you back.
Focus on your dreams and prepare a plan of attack.
There are battles awaiting to challenge your success.
Daring you to stand tall and to give it your best.
There’s a new day coming. No matter how great the journey, or how heavy the load
How steep the mountain, or how rough the road.
When your arms grow weary and legs give way
Stop and rest for a moment, it will be okay.
There’s a new day coming. As shadows spring forth from the setting Sun.
Take a moment and savor the battles you’ve won.
Sleep peacefully tonight and enjoy your rest.
Awaken tomorrow and continue your quest.
There’s always, a new day coming.

If you've ever wished
you could turn back time
to erase a mistake
and make everything right,
then you'll know
how I'm feeling right now.
 
And if you've ever tried
to search for the words
to say that you're sorry
and how much you care,
then you'll know
what I'm trying to say ------
 
And how very sorry I am -----.

 

Happiness is like a crystal,
Fair and exquisite and clear,
Broken in  a million pieces,
Shattered, scattered far and near
 
Now and then along life's pathway,
Lo ! some shining fragments fall ;
But there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.
 
You may find a bit of beauty,
Or an honest share of wealth,
While another just beside you
Gathers honor, love or health
 
Vain to choose or grasp unduly,
Broken is the perfect ball;
And there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.
 
Yet the wise as on the journey
Treasure every fragment clear,
Fit them as they may together,
Imaging the shattered sphere,
 
Learning ever to be thankful,
Though their share of it is small;
For it has so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

Life ! I know not what thou art,
But know that thou and I must part;
And when, or how, or where we met
I own to me's a secret yet. Life ! we've been long together,
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,
'Tis hard to part when friends are dear -
Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear ; Then steal away, give little warning
Choose thine own time ;
Say not good night - but in some brighter chime
Bid me good morning
Anna Letitia Barbauld

The Roses Red upon my neighbor's vine
Are owned by him, but they are also mine
His was the cost, and his labor, too,
But mine as well as his the joy,
their loveliness to view.
 
They bloom for me and are for me as fair
As for the man who gives them all his care
Thus I am rich, because a good man grew
A rose-clad vine for all his neighbor's view.
 
I know from this that others plant for me
And what they own, my joy may also be
So why be selfish, when so much that's fine
Is grown for you, upon your neighbor's vine
Abraham L  Gruber

Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on ,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
 
Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
 
Drop an unkind word, or careless in a minute it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading  from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.
 
Drop an unkind word, or careless : in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a  mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word
 
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a -hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Beaming hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
 
Drop a word of cheer and kindness in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling and there's joy a -circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

James W Foley

Sometimes in life,
you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh 
until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you 
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.
This is Forever Friendship.
 
When you're down,
and the world seems dark and empty,

Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit
and makes that dark and empty world
suddenly seem bright and full.
Your forever friend gets you through
the hard times, the sad times,
and the confused times.
If you turn and walk away,
your forever friend follows.
 
If you lose your way,
your forever friend guides you
and cheers you on.
Your forever friend holds your hand
and tells you that 
everything is going to be okay.
 
And if you find such a friend,
you feel happy and complete,
because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend for life,
and forever has no end.

Standing for what you believe in,
Regardless of the odds against you,
and the pressure that tears at your resistance,
... means courage.

Keeping a smile on your face,
When inside you feel like dying,
For the sake of supporting others,
... means strength.
 
Stopping at nothing,
And doing what's in your heart,
You know is right,
... means determination.
 
Doing more than is expected,
To make another's life a little more bearable,
Without uttering a single complaint,
... means compassion.
 
Helping a friend in need,
No matter the time or effort,
To the best of your ability,
... means loyalty.
 
Giving more than you have,
And expecting nothing,
But nothing in return,
... means selflessness.
 
Holding your head high,
And being the best you know you can be
When life seems to fall apart at your feet,
Facing each difficulty with the confidence
 
That time will bring you better tomorrows,
And never giving up,
... means confidence.

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.
To "let go" is not to cut myself off, it's the realization I can't control another.
To "let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in may hands.
To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another, it's to make the most of myself.
To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.
To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To "let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their destinies.
To "let go" is not to be protective, it's to permit another to face reality.
To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.
To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.
To "let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To "let go" is to fear less, and love more.