I was just catching up on a little blog reading this afternoon and came across something Chilihead posted about ten days ago on her blog Don't Try This At Home. Inspired by the book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, which was edited by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Chilihead asked her readers,
"Could you summarize your life in six words?
Have you lived enough that six words would do?"
Well...that got me to thinking a little bit.
So very few words that say SO much...
It made me think of various times in my life. How could those time periods each be summed up into six words? Was I proud of the six words that fit me best? Sometimes yes, other times...definitely not.
As a baby and toddler...
"Inquisitive and fearless, requires little sleep."
My parents told me that I stopped taking naps before six months. I also once climbed from my high chair in a restaurant and walked over to some man and climbed in his lap. My parents were mortified. It was some random man and his wife that I had seen earlier in the day.
As a young girl...
"Bossy big sister, not always nice."
Oh my word! I could be so mean to Thing 2. Luckily, all is forgiven, and we are very close!
As a junior high student...
"Sweating the small stuff each day."
I used to worry about everything - I still struggle with that. A teacher pulled me aside one day and told me, "Don't sweat the small stuff." I have never forgotten that moment.
As a high school student...
"Smart girl reads poetry, runs fast."
I was the valedictorian of my graduating class. I also was in competitive poetry reading and on the track team. Six words were not really enough to sum up high school, but those were the best ones.
As a college student...
"Small town girl conquers city life."
I moved from a very small town to what was a very big town for me. I loved my college years!
As a newlywed...
"Learning how to live as 'one'."
I love Mr. Brownstone so much, and I thank God everyday that he put up with me in the beginning!
As a new mommy...
"Diaper changing, milk making, baby entertainer."
I think that is all very self-explanatory!
A few short years ago...
"Struggling to find my place socially."
This is a tough one to share. For many years I struggled to make close friendships. God has truly, truly richly blessed me in this area in the time since. I know that I would not appreciate it nearly as much if I did not truly know what I was missing. When I found them, I knew that my friends were a gift from God.
Just last year...
"Too busy to simply enjoy life."
I said "yes" to so many projects that I could not enjoy any of them. It really spilled over into time with friends and family. This year, I learned how to say "no".
Today...
"Happy...husband, children, family, friends...Life."
This means exactly what it says...I am so happy. I love my husband, my children, my family, my friends...I love my LIFE. I use a capital L because it is to represent the "life" I receive from being a child of God.
I am so thankful that God gives us the opportunity to change not only our vocabulary, but the ability to change the way we live our lives!
There was one thing that kept popping into my head while trying to summarize my life into six words. Do you remember the old Sunday School adage?
Jesus first. Others second. Yourself last.
Count them.
Just imagine how JOY-ful the world could be like if this was the six word memoir for everyone!
What would your six word memoir be? Let me know in the comments!
Count them.
Just imagine how JOY-ful the world could be like if this was the six word memoir for everyone!
What would your six word memoir be? Let me know in the comments!
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