You may ask, where are you going with this.  Hang on, we'll go for a ride.  What does the dash stand for in your life, in your company's life?   What do you do better than others?  What do your customers think of you and your employees?  I would suggest that we must do more than just put in some boxes that heat and cool.  We have the ability to change lives.  We actually have the opportunity to help folks live longer  and happier lives.  It requires us to look at our business a little different.  We must do more than just a surface examination of their homes, we need to look at their comfort needs and everything that they want.  Comfort means different things to different people, we cannot imagine what they want in a system.  We sometimes pre-judge the customer based on their address, name, or external clues.  All can and usually will be wrong. 

I believe that we also must be involved in the community, we must give back to the people that support us and our company.  I think it is a good idea to look for ways to make a difference in other's lives, do it on purpose.  Ask, what should my company do for the community?  What should I do?  There may be a different answer for the personal question.  Ask what you should do for the employees, or your co-workers.  If you had a list of your employees, you would not have to go too far down the list to find a person that needs your help.  It may not be financial, it may be emotional or physical.  They may need someone to share a burden with, they may just need a person to listen. 

When I was working in the contracting business in Phoenix, I was amazed at how many opportunities there were with both employees and customers to be engaged in their lives.  My dad passed away in 1997, I was ministered to by many of the employees.  I can remember being in the hospital during his last year alive, and in walked friends and co-workers that just came to share my pain.  It was a surprise to me when I began to reflect on his passing, in less than a year, another one of the sales team had his father pass away.  And the other team member had lost his pop years earlier.  We shared a bond that we did not want, but could do nothing about.  On the other hand, we could go to a funeral of someone else's father and tell them, I know how you feel, and really mean it. 

By the way, Roberts Air Conditioning sent a large bouquet of flowers to my father's funeral.  At that time, they were a competitor.  So it was even more impressive when I saw who the flowers were from.  I just had a chance to visit Phoenix in November, and attended the funeral of Rick Smyth, one of the long-time employees of Roberts Air Conditioning.  Rick's wife Jean, was my secretary when I ran the Trane office back in the day, so they are a special family to me.  They had the service at the golf course where Rick loved to play.  At the service, I was impressed at the illustrations from friends and family of how Rick cared for those around him.  When he knew his days were short, he started a program to train his replacement.  He showed him the details of a difficult job, never letting on how much he felt like quitting.  So he cared for his employer as well as family.  He kept on going when he had every reason to just shut down.  It takes a strong will to stay involved in the routine of work, especially when things are counting down.   He did, and showed his character right up to the end. 

I didn't mean to get all emotional on you, but sometimes the words and thoughts just flow.  When my pastor shared the "dash" sermon, it struck a chord in my heart.  So give some thought as to how you can be connected to others, how you can make a difference. 

This last year my wife and I helped support Wally and Margaret Larson and their family.  Wally is an attorney, but has raised an amazing family.  They all go on missions each year, have since they could walk.  They have three girls (Marcia, Esther, and Leslie) and a son Wally Jr.  This last year they spent most of July in Tanzania, working with locals there helping them plant gardens, teach in the schools, and ministering to them with bible lessons and bible schools for the younger ones.  It is hard work, physically demanding, and most of the time they are living and eating  just like the locals, it can be depressing.  They went to North Phoenix Baptist Church when  we did, and were a great inspiration as to what you can do for others, even across the world.  Their address, if you want to contact them: 

The Larson Family, C/O Micah Global Foundation, 3300 N. Central, # 1900, Phx, Az< 85012.  Or visit them on the web: www.micahglobalfoundation.org.  You will be glad you did.  They are making a difference.