Encouraged my wife to watch a program on PBS from Daniel Pink about his book A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The World. My wife is a right-brainer. I thought the program might encourage her. In the end, I feel like maybe I was the one who took away more from this program.
One of the things I have struggled with during my life in Christ is how I can overcome the shyness of my creative side. Sometimes I wonder if there is a creative beast lurking inside my timid self that is shaking at the cage trying to get out, or whether it is just another thing to keep me away from my calling and immersed in busyness. So, an idea that Daniel Pink referenced really spoke to me. It was a way to be creative, immediate, and relevant at the same time. Daniel talked about a book titled Six Words Memoirs, a collection of people’s life stories limited to the framework of six words:
Ernest Hemmingway: For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
Deepak Chopra: Danced in fields of infinite possibilities.
Joyce Carol Oates: Revenge is living well, without you.
Alexander Tsai: Not a good Christian, but trying.
Steven Colbert: Well, I thought it was funny.
Cutting through the crap of the world helps to make us relevant and poignant. In a world formerly thought of in elaborate 3-point sermons, what is the story we can tell that will impact people with a simple six word sentiment?
Dave Ingland: Woke up to find true life.
How would you summarize your life in a six word memoir?
Related posts:
Dave – Wow, I really like your 6 word memoir. Who says you’re not creative?! There was a small punk band from years back that had a 6 word name that has always stuck with me:
“Life, but how to live it?”
I’m still working on mine though!
Ha, ha…when I create, crazy hair days happen :D Thanks for your kind words though. Much appreciated! You need to come back and leave your 6 word memoir…remember, creativity inspires more creativity :) Thanks friend!
God showed up big time, Amen!
Brett, amen to that one! frawesome!!!
Love covers wrong, hatred stirs strife.
(Kind of took that from the Bible. But hey, it fits and it’s six words. Of course not the exact bible verse. But it works.! =D)
KayLynne, you are wise beyond your years my friend…and so cute too! Great verse!
How about,
“Jesus loves me, this I know” :)
or
“Saved, healed, delivered, set free, ALIVE”
or
“dead to sin, alive in Christ”
Kathi, Anyone that would cite Romans 6 in their 6 word memoir is alright by me! Thanks…great ones for sure!
striving to be more like Christ…
Steve, that is the truth! We could all cite that for ourselves. Thanks for the reminder. You rock man!
Was headed for hell, but God!
Scott, that’s a great one as I was there too. Awesome man! Praise the Lord :)
Why not? Who said? I will.
Charles, thanks for exercising your creativity…love it!
do justly, love mercy, walk humbly
Rich, very beautiful sentiment…thanks so much for sharing!
Children will remember father, not leader.
Jon, very profound memoir. That one impacted me very much. Thanks so much!
Live,love,lose,find,help,forgive.
Craig, awesome 6 word collection…that speaks to me!
addicted, selfish, purposeless — Free In Him
Jason, it’s all about Christ! Thanks for sharing! Now go preach it..lol :)
i have a couple of lovely ideas…
He has done great things, Hallelujah!
or
My life: a song of praise.
Unfortunately, this one’s a lot more appropriate,
“I missed it by THAT much.”
In the service of my King.
@mamapastorjess thanks for leaving your memoir! A great thing for us all to remember :)
Charlotte, thanks for bringing some Maxwell Smart insight to my blog…lol :)
A war between limits and wonder.
James, very unique! Thought-provoking as well. Thanks for sharing!
Always keeping my pimp hand strong.
or
I suck. Help me suck less.
or
Its a small world after all.
or
Tonight I failed. Probably fail tomorrow.
or
Wanna change the world with me?
Scott…someone *finally* represented the pimp hand…thanks for your act of goodwill for the day…lol :) You rock it unique my friend!
or
Don’t steal. The govt hates competition.
My life: now ruined by Jesus.
Josh, that was brilliant! May he continue to work in your life and break you and shape you as you continue your journey in Christ!
Compassionate Leadership, Relentless Warrior, I Am!
Milton: Great 6 word memoir…powerful! Thank you.
@eloranicole: thanks for sharing your Nyquil-influenced life’s story…I enjoyed them :)
Tommy: That’s a good one! Thanks.
Lydia: This is true! Thanks for your life’s story.
Wrecked of the ordinary, hope reigns.
and…for the sake of our camaraderie:
((I should take Nyquil more often))
Wow Dave, you’re getting lots on here. Hehe.
A lot of good ones too.!
=D
(Thanks by the way. Hehe. I’ve often been told that I act way over my age. Guess it’s a good thing. Hehe.)
Chasing the uncatchable, passionate purposeful pursuit
What can I do but live?
Lost, found, amazed, inspired, grind, hope.
Kenny, thanks for your six words. Great stuff, but “grind?” Makes me think you’re a skater, dude…ha, ha :)
I love this post and the responses. I saw this first at Josh’s site and followed it here. I am glad I did. Here is mine:
living my life to honor GOD!
God bless you real good!
Tim
Thank you Tim. Great 6 words :)
“always faithful that God keeps promises”