The theory behind the “dash”
It all begins with an idea.
Death, while an unpleasant reality, is an inescapable event that every human being must eventually face. With an average of over 150,000 deaths per day worldwide, and more than 7,000 in the United States alone, it is a constant reminder of our own mortality. It is an event we cannot cancel or reschedule and one we cannot ignore simply because we do not feel like participating. Death is an event to which we have all RSVP'd.
Despite the inevitability of death, it is important to remember that it is not the end of our legacy. The memories and impact we leave behind can continue to touch the lives of others long after we are gone. It is important to live a life that reflects the values and beliefs we hold dear and to strive to impact the world around us positively. While death may be a difficult subject to confront, embracing it as a natural part of life can help us to live more fully and appreciate the time we have with loved ones.
It may come as a surprise, but each person is assigned 16 numbers – encompassing both their birth and death dates – before they even enter the world. The initial set of numbers marks a joyous occasion, celebrating the start of a new life. But the second set often connotes feelings of confusion, grief, and endless tears. These 16 digits wield the power to evoke every emotion within us. While these dates can have a significant impact on our lives, we often overlook the dashes that separate these very important numbers.
Grammatically, the dash symbol signifies a distance or space between letters or characters. However, in life, the dash takes on a more profound meaning. It represents the entirety of our existence, encapsulating all the experiences and emotions that define our personal journey.
Recently, I composed two obituaries for two different women from vastly different stages of life. The first woman had lived for nearly a century, leaving behind a legacy as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. However, despite her long life, her obituary was only a paragraph in length. On the other hand, the second woman was only 30 years old, unmarried, and without children. But, her obituary spanned three long pages, as it explored the life that she had lived and the future she was living for.
Let me clarify – I am not comparing my life to anyone else's. Rather, I am using both as an example to convey my point, and the dash between the dates holds great significance. My personal journey has been one for the books – in fact, I have written several – documenting my failures and successes. I believe that the dash that represents our lives should be transparent, illuminated, and deemed legendary. It was a gift given to us before we even left our mothers' bodies. Though we may have experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly, those events belong to us and are worthy of examination. Why? Simply because we pave the way for others to learn from our experiences and avoid repeating our mistakes. I am fascinated by the stories of others and how they overcame adversity to receive the reward of a fulfilling life. I encourage everyone I meet to live their lives with passion and purpose, for the dash we received is a gift that we can pass down to generations to come.