If you had to summarize your life in six words, what
would they be? Several years ago an online magazine asked that question.
It was inspired by a possibly legendary challenge posed to Ernest
Hemingway to write a six-word story that resulted in the sad classic "For
sale: baby shoes, never worn." The magazine was flooded with so many
responses that the site almost crashed, and the responses were
eventually turned into a book. Not Quite What I Was Planning
is filled with six-word memoirs by writers "famous and obscure." Here
are some of the memoirs that range from funny to ironic to inspiring to
heartbreaking:
- "One tooth, one cavity; life's cruel."
- "Savior complex makes for many disappointments."
- "Cursed with cancer. Blessed with friends." (This one was written by a nine-year-old boy with cancer).
- "The psychic said I'd be richer."
- This one was only five words: "One long train to darkness."
- "It all changed in an instant."
- "Tombstone won't say: 'Had health insurance.'"
- "Not a good Christian, but trying."
- "Thought I would have more impact."
- "I can't keep my own secrets."
Just six words, that's the rule, and that requires us to focus on what matters most. So, I'm working on mine and I promise to post my six word life summary before New Years. Will you join me in this exercise? Not a bad time to look back and to take stock of things and life in general. Give it try. And I hope you'll share yours, too. Your life in six words. Go for it. (Nope. That's only three words.)
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