6 Word Mini-Memoirs

 Larry Smith was born on September 17, 1968. A native of New Jersey, he is an American author, an editor and publisher of several magazines.

 He challenged his readers in 2006 to write a six word mini-memoir. He was inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous short story, “For Sale; baby shoes, never worn.”

 When pressed to do so, most of us can write our life’s emphasis in a very few words. I’ve given much thought to my own six words. They are: “Life is worth living; thanks, God.” Six words. To me the punctuation is as important as the words.

 Jordan Miller accepted the challenge to compose a mini-memoir by writing these words. “Life gives lemons; but no juicer.”

 Oprah Winfrey gives this thoughtful expression. “Seeking the fullest expression of self.”

 Short and pithy are the words of Elaine Miscal. “I refused to be a victim.”

 William Glasser was a distinguished psychiatrist. He stated categorically: “Life is born, lived, and finished.”

 A paraphrase of the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10 is: “I came to bring abundant life.”

 Albert Einstein is believed to have been one of the most brilliant men in history. He said, “A failure is success in progress.”

 Alfred North Whitehead, noted philosopher declared: “Seek simplicity and then distrust it.”

 President Ronald Reagan was always noted for his forthrightness. One of his best known expressions: “We should trust and then verify.”

 Albert Schweitzer was a great Philosopher, Musician, Physician and Theologian. Most of his life was spent as a medical missionary in Lambarene, Africa. In substance he said, “To live is to serve others.”

 Stella (my wife) decided to share her own six word mini-memoir. Here it is: “Be healthy, Be happy, And persevere.”

 Robert Schuler, the founder of the Crystal Cathedral was often heard to say, “Find a need and fill it.”

 Webster defines a “memoir” as a “record of events based on the writer’s personal observation.” To explain that definition, memoir is simply an autobiography. A mini-memoir as suggested by Larry Smith is a concise account of a person’s philosophy of life.

 His arbitrary limit of six words is unique. It challenges participants to focus on what they believe. To avoid so-called depth and ambiguity.

 There is an old joke in which a minister’s wife sent him a note before the service. One word, KISS. The usher thought it was romantic. However, upon pursuing the meaning, the wife said, “Keep it short, stupid.” Too many public speakers as well as ministers ramble. The six word mini-memoir forces us to get a maximum of meaning from a minimum number of words.

 From the examples listed above, there appears another enlightening observation. I almost missed it. Six words. “Variety is the spice of life.” It suggests no two people seem to accept the same idea.

 Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “God always enters every life through a private door.” It can also be said that, “Truth always enters every life through a private door.”

  No one else thinks the same thing or the same way as we do.

 Regardless of a professor’s power of persuasion or the unique logic expressed by anyone, every mind processes ideas and thoughts in different ways. The accumulation is referred to as our “Apperceptive mass.” The sum total of what you or I believe.”

 I am a fan of the sit-com, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” In a recent replay he repeats a phrase to motivate several delinquent boys; “All our choices always have consequences.” The phrase very naturally fit into Larry Smith’s challenge for mini-memoirs.

 The three great monotheistic religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism, all accept the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is an allegory that reflects a basic truth. Eve and Adam are presented a choice with certain consequences.

 Will they accept a moral choice or not?  The consequence is approval or the opposite.

 Choices involve decisions. They are basic to our living. Where we go; what we eat and read; what we believe; who we marry or associate with; what we think about or don’t; on and on.

 CHOICES DETERMINE CONSEQUENCES; FOR OPTIMAL LIVING.

Amen.  Selah. So be it.

 

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT
G. W. Abersold Ph.D