According to legend, Ernest Hemingway once bet $10 that he could write a novel in six words.
His novel:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” he wrote.
While on my mill, I heard this story on PBS last week. Not sure why this story struck such a chord with me. [although, I have my thoughts].
The story came and went. They moved onto another story . . . . but my brain/thoughts stayed with the past story. The entire run.
What are my "six words" ?
What would I choose to say in "six words" ?
How would others remember me in "six words" ?
How would I describe myself in "six words" ?
I came up with quite a few.
Some funny. Some real. Some were more like dreams. Some I'd probably pay someone to say about me. Some were lame. Some were borrowed. Some were painful. Others, laugh out loud funny.
I told this story to the Peanut and Pita when they awakened. [They didn't find it nearly as intriguing but.......]
Peanut wasted NO time saying her six would be:
"creative, artistic, nice, friendly, pretty awesome".
The Pita said:
"me, me, me, me, me, me"
Ya, thanks for playing.
Whatever.
Here's an inside view of my brain and what it came up with. [* denotes a "borrowed" thought]
1. My Life Is Defined By Moments.
2. One decision can change your life.
3. I want you to want me. *
4. Stop in the name of love.*
5. Don't be afraid He is there.
6. Just breathe just love just forgive.
7. Don't cry. Don't stress. Don't fear.
8. Is there something I should know. *
9. True friends are cheaper than therapy.
10. How can I keep from singing?*
11. I heard it through the grapevine.*
12. In my mind out of sight.
13. you bet ...I've freaking got this.
14. Sometimes silence is the best revenge.
15. Mom, wife, sister, daughter of God.
What's your "six" ?
67 comments:
Yes, I will have another beer...
Wow! This post gave me the goosebumps, I love the idea! I love Pita's reply ha, my six are probably a little like that.
Optimistic, dedicated, funny, runner (does that one count?), reliable and hungry ha!
Thank you for the sweet comment, you made my day!
I think mine would be about the same.
Child of God, sister, daughter, wife, mother.
Opps that 7, do prepositions count?
Lost in wonder. No help required.
thnx!
Your posts are such good stories and come full circle!
My six: wife, athlete, daughter, sister, determined,loyal
Great post. I love how you work so many song titles in your posts.
I'm all for simplification. I wish more things in life were required to be broken down into 6 words.
SHEESH GIRL! this is a lot of work. Its like writing a haiku or something.
"I'm never satisfied with my accomplishments."
Yup. Sums me up to a tee.
Mooshy - classic Mooshy.
HRG - does "runner" count?! holy yes, girl!!
Shelly - awesome.
Sean- all smiles. love that.
Jess - awesome.
Tom & Slowmo - thank YOU. ;)
MO - you one upped me. "I ditto your six words".
At the bottom of my blog I have 5 words that I feel describe me:
Faith, Powerful, Capable, Valuable, Original.
I think I would add Student for my sixth.
I think the Ernest Hemingway story is fascinating. Those 6 words were definitely powerful!
Oh sweetie I can't do this!
Love the Hemingway story - so true. And LOVE your story.
such a good story. I hate when Nick won't play along with my games. Boo on pita for that one.
My six words of the moment...
A little lost on my adventure.
Easily distracted by shiny, pretty things.
Beauty!
Here's one:
Nothing a good run can't fix!
Came toes without arthritis in tights.
Kelly, Laura & Marlene - awe---some.
Kovas - HI-larious.
thank you God, life is good.
JL - love yours!!
Hmmmm that's a hard one. Probably something like this:
"I'm always in over my head :)"
Re-post this tomorrow and it might change.
Way more than meets the eye.
Look at all this creativity!
Mine:
Life is but a fleeting moment.
Nothing worth having ever came easy!
This is a great post. I linked it to my blog.
Have a great day@
My 6 words for finals:
Why is there so much homework???
After finals:
OMG I can't wait for Ragnar.
Shake It Like A Salt Shaker!
wear awesome shoes every day please
:p
xo
A drunken runner finds some candy
These are great! Give me food or gimme death!
Because most of my family is on holidays and getting under foot my 6 words are - give me a little space.
Misplaced trust destroys a fart's innocence.
My six for you: (what others would remember me for):
"Mother of EMZ, the Ultra Runner"
PS: I love that title. I am one that loves to hug the cute blonde at the finish line....wish I could for every race. But in the "race" of life, I will be there to hug you forever!
"I should probably say something clever." Wait, six words already? Time's up?!
Karine AKA MY Mom - the. Best. Ever. ILY.
Char- grinning ear to ear.
Andrew-that second one of yours. Freaking hilarious.
Termite - fabulous. It's almost like you knew I bought myself four YES 4 new pairs of heels this week.
Peggy - my words exactly on turkey day!! ;)
"This is the 2nd time in a week that story has come up. I think I know someone else who listens to PBS! My sister heard the same story a year or so ago. Hers? "Sure I can! Who needs sleep?" Mine? I've several, but my current fav is "pushing my limits, every single day."
You get out of life what you put into it!
I loved this:)
ShebaJC - YAY for PBS - I NEVER watch PBS [like two times a year...but so happy I did on THIS day!] your and your sisters "six"--- awesome.
Julie - 11 words. but =[ly] as wonderful!! ;)
I need a way to have my BlackBerry beep when your posts go live b/c they are always so thought provoking or hilarious and need time to reflect on them before heading out to pick up Chico.
I have a few:
Fixing things that are not broken
Dream Big then accomplish the task
Life Is Short Go And Run
Do Today What Others Do Tomorrow
Eat Fresh Stay Healthy Live Longer
Jason - my six for you.
"you liar. you are too kind."
Now, go get Chico. BTW, love the nickname Chico. Fred is just weird though. ;)
what an awesome Mom you have,so sweet that she'll be there for you in the race of life.
I am about to go running and will think on my 6 words...
I got 20 minutes before I pick him up and that is 30 minutes early. We are going to cook Karen a great vegan/Mexican dinner tonight and he is going to help.
Believe me I wish he would be able to express the Fred thing. So odd and random. There are no Fred's on our side nor his Dad's side and he has never mentioned a friend and has no clue about the Flintstones, but Fred it is.
I'm kind of copying Plato, but...
Be kind. Everyone's fighting a battle.
Liz - an awesome phrase like that MUST be copied. Awesome.
Jason - Fred. It. Is. It. Is. Fred.
can I borrow your words? Those sound about right! cheers!
LC
I LOVE this post. I really loved what your Mom said. You are lucky to have her.
So many possibilities, make them yours.
"Why did I eat the jalapeños?"
Jeff - "oh no! you didn't eat them" [6] YIKES. Too good.
i got a good one for this but i'm gonna wait to share...i'm posting about it next week and i'm definitely linking this post up to it - so perfect. oooh the anticipation... :)
Awesome!
It would take me a long time to think of the right six words.
The Hemingway "novel" is powerful.
This is a great little exercise in self reflection.
Right now my novel would read:
On a mission to self discovery.
Hopefully one day it reads:
She loved, laughed, left a legacy.
@andrew - you are hilarious! LOL!!!
What would Hemingway do with Twitter?
I loved the Hemingway story! This was an awesome challenge. I liked a lot of the ones that were posted, but I feel that my 6 would be, "You can ALWAYS count on me!" However, I told my husband I working for, "I'm too sexy for this shirt!" ;)
Loved the Hemingway 6 words! What would mine be?
Never too busy for a run!
cool post...I am going to have to think on this one.
Wow...that Hemingway story is powerful...
I love this post! I had a hard time coming up with my 6, but here's what I ended up with:
Little moments make the best memories
Put here for a reason-do.
There's a website that is only six word stories: http://www.sixwordstories.net/
Here's mine....
Lost her way. Found her soul.
Also, I may steal this for my blog. Hope you don't mind :)
OCP - I'd be hugely honored. OCP rocks.
This is hard! Hmmm ..... To describe me in separate words:
Funny, tenacious, loyal, reliable, compassionate, musical.
A phrase:
Makes you laugh. Makes you cry.
Another phrase:
Sarah, you are making me fat.
It’s me…no more, no less
to steal from you, Emz
daughter, sister, friend, God's unique creation
or maybe
don't think, just breathe, just run
or perhaps
protective, loyal, stubborn, caring, silly, off
Run on!
I seem to be like PITA
DRog - you want that in writing?!!? ;)
{serious, now} - well then, lucky you. he's pretty dang great.
Just the "ME X 6" part (that I know of :)
Your last six are perfect.
Very cool!
Mine would be:
"And last year there were two."
So many great comments for such a wonderful post!
Six words.... hmmmmm... well, I used to be smart but now I can't summon enough brainpower to come up with six words! All that comes to mind right now is, "did you get any of that?"
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