Your life story in six words

@patgalca (18370)
Orangeville, Ontario
March 19, 2008 4:12pm CST
It's hard to choose a category to start a discussion when it falls into two different categories. But I decided to put this one in writing. The Toronto Star recently sent out a call to readers to write their life story in six words. The idea originated two years ago by a New York editor who created a book from the entries. "The six-word memoir is a perfect exercise for our culture, hooked as we are on confession and the instant gratification of texting." Here are some samples written in this past weekend's Saturday Star: "Four kids make life wonderfully chaotic." "Troubled orphan, grieved, surprised, forgave, happy." "Financially good: Everything else a bust." "I have not accomplished much... yet." So people, can you do it? Can you write your life story in six words? I have yet to do this myself but will give it a try. Who else wants to try?
6 people like this
29 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
20 Mar 08
Broken child becomes priestess, poet, protector. This is the best I could come up with, using only six words. It's amazing how hard you think about every single word when you have such a limit. It took me longer to write this than some of my really long poems.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
Really makes you think, doesn't it. How can you put your WHOLE life in six words? You did a good job. Thanks for participating.
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
20 Mar 08
What a beautiful synopsis~~!!
1 person likes this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Hi Hon I'm just way too wordy for this discussion I have been sitting here thinking But I have too many words. Loved, Lost, Cried, Found myself, Smile xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
3 people like this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
Good job, Raydene!
2 people like this
20 Mar 08
Young, free, single. Desperately wanting more!!!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
19 Mar 08
Mommy and lifelong learner. Quite content.
2 people like this
• Regina, Saskatchewan
20 Mar 08
Wife,mother,wife awaiting insured widowhood! I'm not kidding.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
I believe it! I feel that way sometimes too.
1 person likes this
• Regina, Saskatchewan
20 Mar 08
Whew! Nice to know I'm not alone. lol
• Philippines
20 Mar 08
i live life to the fullest!!hihi
• Pakistan
19 Mar 08
hello patgalca! how are you well a very fascinating kind a topic indeed! lets try,6 words wil not be enought to show what you are but see what i can put in to it. "Ordinary human soul having unlimited desires " !
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
Those six words describe you but not your life. The exercise is to come up with a 6-word memoir. Not easy. I came up with six (posted above) but they don't include everything that has happened in my life, like my illness. But it was a humourous attempt.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
20 Mar 08
I don't know, patgalca, I think that was pretty good. Good job, UBiquitous.
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
20 Mar 08
hello patgalca! well! this is what my life is,i am a human and i carry soul i have desires too and for my desires i am spending life here on earth to fulfil them and this is what is everyone's motive to live actually . Living=life ..right ? well, i welcome your comments,i will think on that note too and will come up with new 6 words soon as i get something in my mind which fully represents my life. Take care !
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Mar 08
catlover, mother, grandmother, writer and counseller
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Violence, Survival, Unconditional Love, Blessedly Happy....
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
19 Mar 08
That is tough...but interesting. Underestimated, lost, forgiving, hopeful, accepting, individual. It hardly explains much but pretty much covers it all.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
19 Mar 08
"mum of one son getting bored" That is where my life is right now. I'm working on changing it though :)
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
Let's hope you do. At least to your satisfaction. I got mine: Abuse, Freedom, Children, End of Freedom!
1 person likes this
@jimbomuso (950)
20 Mar 08
lost myself, found myself, living well
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
You've summed it up nicely. Good job. Thanks for participating.
• United States
21 Mar 08
Laugh.. and then try it again!
1 person likes this
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
20 Mar 08
Mother of three, my life content! Awesome discussion, the six words above is how I feel about my life right now. It was a challenge, of course I wanted to write so much more, but that is what first popped into my mind.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
20 Mar 08
Okay i need to have another shot at this realised I described myself not my life. Here goes again: lost, confused child, young mum, happy! Hope that is what you meant, if not please explain little more to me lol, want to get it write. Find this topic very interesting.
• Canada
19 Mar 08
marriage-child-autism-separation-playd-struggeling thats about what came into my mind.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Mar 08
baby teenager adult mom grandma wonderful
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
20 Mar 08
That sure represents all the stages in life. Thanks for participating.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
20 Mar 08
This is a good writing lesson, not an easy one, but here goes. Six words, huh? Adventures, daughters, happy, and great memories. After all life is an adventure, I have two wonderful daughters, and more times than not I've been happy with my life and have made some great memories over the years, with more yet to come.
@patms1 (521)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Born, Raised, Married, Children, Grandchildren, tired.
@kilani123 (864)
• United Arab Emirates
20 Mar 08
"A student trying to get his degree" thats my life at this moment
@sivazee (22)
• United States
20 Mar 08
"Cloudy with a chance of storms"... that's my life in six words. It doesn't tell a lot about me, and it isn't inspirational, but I'm sticking to it anyway, lol.
• Philippines
15 Jun 09
Sickly spinster prayed, believed, blissfully married!