A message from Kevin D. Crone, CEO, Dale Carnegie Business Group, Canada.
Good Morning ,
A couple of Saturdays ago, I drove to Waterford, Ontario a quaint little town in Southern Ontario, to attend a memorial for a friend of mine from cottage country. His name was Ray Anbonelli. I was shocked to see the whole town of Waterford and our cottage community of the lower French River in attendance at the local legion.
They came to tell stories about our humorous, kind and fun loving pal. Everyone identified with the stories and all were touched - not just because we lost Ray but because of how Ray lived his life. We all realized how we need to be more like him; to live right now, cherish every moment; to create situations that make everyone laugh; to treat everyone as if they are our best friend.
What I saw was about 700 people who considered Ray to be their good friend. What a legacy. I wondered, “Would people be saying those things about me?” More importantly, I need to be living more like Ray…squeezing every drop out of my life.
Business and work, if we let it, can squeeze the life out of us. Ray never put off living. He wasn’t waiting for the right time to be happy and successful. He went after every morsel of it and turned life into an adventurous experience. When I think of success, he was the richest guy I know and I am not talking about money and nice things.
One of my staff, Jeanne Bucci, who is a very spirited person and exhibits many of Ray’s traits, gave me “The Dash Poem”. (below) I hope it inspires you to be the person you want to be with the time you have.
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 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
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 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?
©1996 Linda Ellis
Some questions to ponder this week… do we get too wired for business outcomes and worries that we wreck our bodies? What price success? If we have a second chance to live for our happiness, would it include living for today and creating more laughter? Would it include treating everyone as if they were a friend? Would we spend more time with family and friends enjoying the simple things? You bet we would!
Well everyone has a second chance with each new day. Every day we can remember to keep the peace of our inner selves in the midst of the turmoil of the modern city and our busy business lives.
ACTIONS
Let’s face it, we do have work to do, goals to hit, stressful situations, issues, problems to face. We are fighting for a lot of stuff. As Dale Carnegie said and Ray exhibited, while we are going through our ‘Dash’, let’s fight for our happiness as well.
Thanks “Ravioli” (Ray), for your life’s mentoring along the way. I will still beep my boat horn as I pass by your cottage and when I do, your spirit will live on.
Have a great week.
Kevin D. Crone
CEO
Dale Carnegie Business Group
BusinessNext Inc.
Offering Dale Carnegie Throughout Canada