We all need mission statements.  They might be just like the Profile Statement on Active Rain; it might be you talking about how and why you are #1 in your market.  It might be more than these thoughts.  Here is a poem, which gives thought to an important attitude in life:

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on a tombstone from the beginning..to the end.

He noted that the first came the date of this birth and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For the dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth...

and now only those who loved him 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 who much time is left.  (You could be at "dash mid-range.")

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's being read with your life's actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Linda Ellis

Here is a website with more info about "The Dash". http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail.aspx?productidn=25180&org=intgooga115&promo=intgooga115&gclid=cmlelfjq_i4cfqyjwaoddhvu2g

I have a client who owns a great small store in our hometown and her mission statement is inspirational.  She is my inspiration for wanting to write a new mission statement and include it in my website. 

If you have a mission statement what does your's include?  What characteristics do you think are important to how you conduct your business and ultimately how your live your life?