Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

jl333 says,

We here at Smithmag, think you're somebody!

Staraj says,

Thanks jl333! I assure you the feeling's mutual.

ShellDeFelice says,

Who is John Doe? You are an amazing somebody. You spur people toward introspection...a much needed gift in this self centered sped up world.

NumbrOneAunt says,

for me, one of the compensations of getting older (there have to be SOME) is that i honestly no longer care what others think of me. that said, I'd like to amplify: if i meet a person who i find worthwhile (kind, compassionate, intelligent, witty) and i somehow mess up in a way that causes such a person to have a poor opinion of me, THAT will bother me. other than that i don't worry about it any longer. i play nice and try to be polite and considerate, but if someone who is peripheral in my life doesn't like me, i put it down to the nature of human nature. and really, staraj, being someone who loves to think philosophically, you know this already - i feel quite sure :) BTW, this is a good chance to thank you (belatedly) for taking the time to comment so thoughtfully on my memoir about philosophical thinking that leaves me exasperated. i really did appreciate it!

Loon says,

fuck john doe

jl333 says,

Loon doesn't beat around the bush. Straight and to the point

Staraj says,

[chuckle] A well-reasoned and well-received comment, Loon. And much gratitude to you also, ShellDeFelice and NumbrOneAunt, for your informative and appreciative feedback. I LOVE this community. Even the occasional squabbles prove we're like family.

Six on!

ShellDeFelice says,

I wanted to say more earlier but I had a Sunday Funday event that called to me and the California God of Early Spring was attending with his warmth so I couldn't postpone.

Many of us here responded to a fun question recently where you wrote, "Void. Light. Land. Water. Creatures. Rest."
It was all in fun, yes? But for me when I read those words, I paused. Now that may not sound like much to you...big deal the girl took a moment, so what. I almost never pause. At least not without concentrated effort. I run, I push, I fight, I think...I force myself to be in the moment, I make myself meditative and present for a connection to the Universal Creator. I almost never stop.

When I read,"Void. Light. Land. Water. Creatures. Rest", I stopped. I smiled. I felt connected and I cannot describe why with words; it was visceral. My next thought was "You are not alone." And I smiled.

You have a gift and I am thankful for it.

ShellDeFelice says,

Oh and P.S Loon really said it best. Whenever I try that phrase people look at me really funny...like I'm speaking Greek or something.

Staraj says,

Yet more thoughtful feedback, ShellDeFelice. Gracias. Loon's blunt comment reminds me of what an older man once said to me: "When you say, 'Fuck it', say it and MEAN it."

And I'm always happy when someone gets a little boost out of something I wrote — even if I don't "get" what they got.

Dragonflower says,

Once again, I'm lost. Why would you, of all people, be worried about what people thought of you, or even wonder if you should wonder? At first I thought it was kind of a joke memoir,even the backstory, but then other memorists commented seriously. So, my serious comment is that you are usually very thoughtful in your responses to comments on your own memoirs. You comment thoughtfully on others' memoirs most of the time; sometimes you just play around, but the difference is obvious--you aren't a confusing sort.

As for your response comment to ShellDeFelice about the blunt comments, I always liked Atticus' direction to Scout when she started using profanity. He told her she should save it for times when she is "duly provoked." I try to not get provoked too often or else even that wise counsel loses its value. But, that's another big ol' topic and we may have had enough big topics around here for a while. (no innuendo intended).

Staraj says,

Once again, I ask you to forgive any forthcoming condescension, DragonEmpress. Now, let's return to my original six. Who is John Doe? Nobody representing everybody. So my point, perhaps clumsily made, is to question the tendency of many of us to be consumed and even become overwrought regarding where we stand among our peerage or possibly strangers. Often to our detriment.

I like to quote Gregory Peck from the movie, "The Big Country", when he and his fiancée are beginning to realize they may not be right for each other. At a critical point, she complains that he doesn't seem to care what others think about him. To which he replies: "I'm not responsible for what other people think — only for what I am."

Clearer now?

Dragonflower says,

Thanks for the clarification. And the quote. I had a friend who used a similar quote with me all the time.

BTW, never feel it is condescending when people answer my questions in a manner that is simple and straightforward. Sometimes they sigh before they do, though. That bothers me a little. But I'm sure you didn't sigh.

Staraj says,

There's no sighing between us, DragonEmpress.