Making Your Dash COUNT

 Posted by ~ Sheldon Redditt on 01/06/2015

Dedicated to all those that HAVE made their dash COUNT

All of us are going to die or as I believe pass on to the next level of existence. I don't believe in death as an end all.  I believe that we simply pass on to another level of existence. I don't believe that God would create us to live for 70 or 80 years and that's it, but that's another post altogether.  When you pass on, marked on your tombstone, will be your birth date, a DASH and the date you left this world.  The most important thing on that tombstone is that DASH.  Now, the dash is the smallest thing on the tomb stone, but it is, by far, the most important.  You see, that DASH, tells your story; everything you were, everything you accomplished and all you meant to the world and the people in it.  It tells us what kind of person you were.  If you were a great spouse, a great father, mother or friend, it's written in that dash.  That DASH tells all about you.  I know and believe that we were all put here to make a impact on this Earth.  Albeit, some impacts will be greater than others but that is our purpose, to make that dash count.  When you pass on, what do you want your DASH to say about you?  When I pass on, I want my DASH to say that I was a great Husband and Father.  Did I make mistakes?  Of course I did, but when I leave I want to know that I finally got it right.  It's important to me that I was a great friend.  It's important to me that I tried to make a difference, NO, that I did make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.  For me, "trying", is just a noble way of saying, "I failed".  I want to make so much of an impact while I'm here that when I do pass on, a big smile brightens someone's face, every time my name is mentioned. 

As I sit here writing, I received news that a former co-worker just passed on from a freak accident at work.  He was 25 years young, with a wife and a new born baby girl.  My wife and I are so saddened by this news.  I was telling my wife that this young man MADE HIS DASH COUNT!  He was doing the work that he loved to do.  He was making a difference in this world.  You see, what it made me realize, is this... It does not matter how long or short of a time you are here, it's what you do with your time on this Earth. In the 25 years he was on this Earth, he made more of an impact with the kids that he helped than some people do that have lived 100 years.  He had a wife that he adored and together they brought a beautiful little girl into this world.  He touched so many of his co-workers lives in so many ways.  And I'm sure that there a plethora of others lives, that I could never know the way he impacted them, but I have no doubt, he did.  But most of all, his dash counted because he was happy and he was living a life that he loved.

What are you doing to make your dash count?  Are you living or are you existing?  There is a big difference in the two.  To exist is to quote an old Jackson Browne song, "The Pretender".  "I've been aware of the time going by.  They say in the end it's the wink of an eye.  And when the morning light comes streaming in.  You'll get up and do it again.... I'm going to be a happy idiot.  And struggle for the legal tender."  To live, is to wake up each new day with a purpose; to do your purpose, what you are meant to do in this moment in time, with enthusiasm and happiness.  Living is surrounding yourself, with love and friendship, family and friends.  

I am so grateful that I have found my purpose.  I know why I am here.  I'm here to help people; to be of service.  There are many avenues that I have taken to do this and many more out there to explore.  I think motivational speaking is the next on my list of endeavors.  With each new endeavor, I find myself full of excitement, joy and filled with a new thought driven purpose.  Living at its finest!  I am determined to make my dash count.  That for me includes telling the real Sheldon Redditt story and it will blow you away.  I hope that each of you will begin to think about your dash and what you can do to set the world on fire.  I heard that the richest place on Earth is the local cemetery.  Rich with thoughts and ideas that were never shared or executed.  Please, don't add to that richness.  Make the world rich, above ground!  This is my truth!  What's yours?

A Lesson in Friendship

Posted by- Sheldon Redditt on 09/17/2014

I dedicate this post to James Wilson and Sara Garrison for showing me what true friendship really means, by walking it every day.

Growing up, I never really felt that I needed a very close friend. I was always a very private person and didn't want anyone to know my innermost thoughts. I thought, the less one knew about you, the less they would have to use against you, to hurt you. I thought that I could go through life, not really needing anyone. Of course, I had acquaintances and friends in high school, but even then, I never bared all to anyone. I truly thought I would go through life that way, thinking the less you knew about me, the better it was. I always had trust issues, but was always an excellent listener and strangely, people have always felt compelled to share their deepest truths with me!  Even when I attempted to shy away from listening.  The more people shared, the more sure I was that I should never let anyone completely in. After all, most of their truths were about how someone close to them had hurt them in some way or another.

Fast forward a decade or so, when I met my, now wife. Throughout our friendship, I recall my wife, Amy, talking about her best friend, Sara. She would brag, Sara is this, Sara is that and how much Sara had it together. It used to get on my nerves! But, when I met Sara for the first time, I could see why Amy thought she was so special. It wasn't that she talked a lot, like Amy does. (Lol. Just joking! You know, I love you, Amy) Or, Lord knows that friendship would have never worked. I thought that Sara's personality was a lot like mine. She was quiet, observant and I got the sense that she was busy sizing me up to see if I was good enough for her best friend. I knew she was genuine. I love the relationship they have because they can talk to each other about anything without judging. And the most amazing thing I observed over the years was that when anything that was significant in my wife's life happened, no matter how big or small, Sara was her biggest cheerleader. I found that she was always as happy for Amy, as she would have been for herself. And Amy reciprocated all of those things for Sara. I was in awe because I didn't think it was possible for true friendship to really exist on that level.

My observations of the two of them caused me to rethink my stance and boy am I grateful for that. My best friend, James Wilson, showed up in my life 13 years ago. At first, I didn't think I was going to like him. He was loud and a jokester, my polar opposite. But once we got to know each other, I found that he had an insight that was intriguing. No matter the subject, he always viewed things from multiple perspectives.  Thankfully, he has taught me to do the same. And he is NEVER afraid to tell me when he thinks I am wrong, despite knowing it will make me so mad and I might not talk to him for awhile. He was the one that sat down with me and told me that I needed to get my head out of my behind and marry Amy before I lose her. I was convinced I'd never marry again due to past hurts and mistakes, but my true friend lit a fire under me and helped me give myself the life I'd always imagined. I thank God every day for placing him in my life at what was probably the lowest period of my life. He has been a true friend and I love him like a brother.

I think it's truly unfortunate that some people go through their whole life without a Sara or a James, to not have anyone with whom they can bare their soul. Although, both of our friends are hundreds of miles away, a simple phone call can always make the world feel brighter when life gets tough. I'm thankful to Amy and Sara for walking in true friendship and showing me what it looks like. And I'm grateful for the day when James and I rode together in his silver beat up Cadillac listening to the washed up rapper E-40. I told him he was too old to listen to rap music and we've been friends ever since! 

I pray that each one of you will find that person to bring into your life and if you already have them, call them up today and tell them how grateful you are that you found them and they are a part of your life. They say in life you're lucky to find one true friend. I am so grateful and blessed to have found that one. This my truth. What's yours?