Awkward…

So my blogging is going through this awkward stage right now – sort of like adolescence: I’m no longer in that giddy student phase where all I care about is getting my thoughts and excitement about skydiving down on paper (or, in Word Press, whatever), and I’m far from an expert who has any kind of authority to talk about or give advice about anything of importance.

Being in this “intermediate” phase is challenging. There are things I’d like to think I’ve become skilled enough to chat about, but then again I don’t want to go around giving advice that could end up hurting someone because it wasn’t the right advice for them.

Though I do have to say I love where I am in my skydiving career – so to speak. I’m finally starting to get it, each and every jump it’s visible that all that I’ve learned in 200+ skydives is finally starting to come together into something, even just simple docks in sitfly. It’s rewarding, to say the least. But of course, I’m no where near ready to start teaching others what they should and shouldn’t be doing in the sky. Hard to believe a D license, which is considered expert, used to require only 200 jumps.

But I still struggle with where I should be in my skydive blogging career.

Earlier this week I took a poll that helped generate a few ideas for upcoming posts, and my readers have even inspired me to do some research to get them answers on things they’re looking to learn.

What did you do with your dash?

If there’s one thing I love most about the skydiving community, it’s the ability to learn from others. All those times spent on the ground, telling stories when the beer light comes on, watching videos, even learning from others misfortunes. It all makes us better skydivers.

So that’s what’s brought me to this post – which is more of a life lesson that I’d like to share. There are some people out there who I’m sure could benefit from this more than others, but it’s a good read none the less.


This week I spent a few days at home with my family during a time of loss, and a poem surfaced. It struck a lot of us hard at the time, and since, it’s been something I haven’t been able to get out of my head:


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?


Deep stuff huh? Actually, not really. It’s pretty simple. Live your life how you want to be remembered. Find time for those things that are most important to you, and the people who matter most. Where I really learned a lesson in this one – stop wasting time on those who really don’t give a shit. Trusting your instincts when it comes to character judgement – it’s usually pretty accurate.

My family recently lost one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. It was always about her family. We can all take a lesson from someone like that…especially in sports like skydiving where it’s not uncommon that people are trying to bring the focus to themselves.

That’s all fine and great, but in the end, is that how you want to be remembered?

A little food for thought from wise poet Linda Ellis.

Love and blue skies!

Ashley