As most people do, I love to get gifts — but different types of gifts. Not mainstream stuff. So there I am one day and walk by the cube of a co-worker and lo and behold he (thanks FS) hands me a gift that he thought I would enjoy. It was a book. But not just any type of book. It was different than most of the books I have, which tend to be business, motivational, or sports books. This book was very creative and its title was Not Quite What I Was Planning, Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.
The book was fascinating and got my creative juices flowing. Here are a few from the book that I thought I would share:
- When talk matters, make it count
- Pay attention to me go away
- Ran east, ran west, ran late
- Open road, no map. Great Scenery
- Afraid of everything. Did it anyway
The book really gave me a chance to pause and think about trying to put some of my own together. Ok — let me start by saying I am not a pro at this but merely trying to make some sense of some thoughts on life stated in exactly six words. So here goes:
- Teachers are very important, thank you.
- Passion is so important to me
- Sports, competition. That says it all.
- Family, friends, work, play. All meaningful
- Boston to Dallas. Life in session
Now your turn. Close your eyes take a minute or two and think about six word phrases that mean something to you or describe some type of experience.
I hope you have fun with this — let me share a little secret…I had a BLAST!
I look forward to hearing from you and having you share your thoughts.
Rachel Campbell says:
Your life is important to me.
It takes very little to smile
Take care of your mother earth
All my lines are cheesy ones…
Rick Johnson says:
Merrill,
That was a lot of fun! Here are some of the ones I created.
Life is passion, do it today!
Promote creativity do not underestimate ideas.
Work hard, play hard and laugh.
Pittsburgh is the home of champions.
Scuba dive to view the beauty.
Strive for excellence and never quit.
mark sutin says:
I Love The New York Yankees (okay that was to just to irk Merrill)
What could I do better today (this is the real one)
Merrill Dubrow says:
Rachel/Rick.
Really nice job. I hope you had fun with todays exercise.
Merrill
Stephenie Gordon says:
Life is what you make it.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
Don’t think Obstacles; Think stepping stones!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Mark,
Here are a few of my favorites:
Sox sweep the Yankees this weekend
The Yankees DON’T make the playoffs
Alex Rodriguez is way over rated
Merrill
Frank Summers says:
Played some kickball. Broke two fingers!
Kids moved back. Not as quiet.
Be kind. Laugh often. Live well.
Life is short. Have some fun.
Thanks Merrill. That’s all for now.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Thanks Frank yours were really good.
Bob T says:
Brett, don’t go to another team!
Carrot Top is Merrill’s favorite comic?
Paul Kirch says:
Good motto: work hard, play hard.
Life throws you lemons; make lemonade.
Find love, find passion, find peace…
And my new favorite:
Long week. Thank God it’s Friday!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Following up on what Bob said:
Brett – stay home with the family
Comedy – Carrot Top is the King!
Merrill
Ed Sugar says:
Major League Baseball English Premier League
But I thought it was funny
Yes I ate all of it
Sorry, I was educated in California
Can I get an employee discount?
Too much time on Merrill’s blog
Melissa Pepper says:
Here are my six word thoughts:
Human contact brings meaning to life.
Doggone. Dog gone. River of tears.
Take delight in the small stuff.
You must be present to win.
jack reynolds says:
its important to honor your commitments
Steve Runfeldt says:
Too much blogging, not enough work.
Blogging is networking, good for business.
Naomi Walters says:
Merrill, I have two favorites that are only 4 words:
Parks provide the smiles.
Grandchildren are God’s gift!
Thanks – this is thought provoking this morning!
Matt Gershner says:
I like the more timely:
Yanks over Boston, two of three.
Jeremy Bromberg says:
Merrill Dubrow Blog, an enlightening experience
Haiku counts syllables and not words
Joba high and tight to Youk
Market Research surveys are too long
I’m a boy of many words
I want physician respondent incentives too
Kelley Styring says:
Melissa’s are awesome.
Got one life. Bathed in it.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Matt,
My response in 6 word sentances –
I will admit that really hurts!
Lets wait until October and see!
The Yanks still have no pitching!
Mussina and Petitte will 100% falter!
Merrill
Jon Last says:
This is a very cool exercise. Here are mine:
Never give up..you never know
Learn something new every single day
Always be true to true friends
Half of success is showing up
Participate in sports. It molds character
Usually, people get what they deserve
Jeffrey Lorber says:
Thank you Matt! That was much nicer than what I was going to say!
Really liked Melissa’s “You must be present to win” -
A beach, a book, and sunshine.
Work to live, live to love.
You don’t get nothing for nothing.
For Frank:
Kids moved out and stayed away!
Wish I saw my kids more.
Go Yankees! Go Yankees! Go Yankees!
Michelle Lemire says:
Smiling is contageous so smile on.
Mistakes in pencil can be erased.
The best pictures are not perfect.
Save regret and take a chance!
Glass half empty? Get a refill.
This was fun! I need to read that book.
Michele DeKinder-Smith says:
Every moment offers chances to grow
Live, love, and create a legacy
United we stand, divided we fall
Your light inspires others. So SHINE!
Bill Neal says:
Merrill,
I like to use short six-letter phrases from nature to convey a vision. Here are some of my originals.
Ordered like a parade of pelicans
Like gannets raining terror from heaven
As stealthy as a Great Blue (heron)
Like ospreys hunting over still waters
Noisy like a convention of laughing gulls
Eerie like a loon in the night
kelly mangum says:
Fun exercise Merrill!
So far my favorite one is from Melissa – You must be present to win.
**Being scared means you are evolving.
**Challenge your body. Rest your mind.
**Not everything is priority number one.
Danielle Blugrind says:
This is fun! First I thought, “Me, limit myself to six words? I can hardly limit myself to sixty, this is impossible.” Which inspired the first one. Then I got more serious about it.
I can’t possibly say only six –
No stupid questions, just stupid people
Delight in who your child is
Living every moment, in the moment
Even the little things are accomplishments
Kiss and hug your child daily
Never resist saying “I love you”
Never reject gifts from a child
Be right back after these messages
Willie Martin says:
Merrill is a RedSoxer for life!
Kristy Hoover says:
Boredom is the lack of creativity.
Merrill Dubrow says:
A few more that I thought I would share from the book:
Can’t read all the time…..bummer
Forgot to say I love her.
Not quite what I was planning
I am a cartwheel of mentorship
Enjoy – Merrill
Christopher Dallion says:
My children laughed a perfect day.
Live for today not the past.
Never say what you never mean.
Now for a shot at Merrill…
This post was a good “idear”.
J.R. says:
Merrill…..not a huge Red Sox fan, but huge Yankee hater…….
Matt G, this ones for you
Yankees up three to zero…….choke.