6 words

On being asked to write a story in six words, legend has it that Ernest Hemingway responded with this - 

"For sale: baby shoes; never worn" 

As an aspiring writer I find that breathtaking, inspiring, and enviable in equal measure. The idea that one day I may have the ability to use words in such a sparse but impacting way is exciting and daunting.

Another short sentence which I love for it's simple truth is 'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference' taken from the serenity prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr.

In both these instances I wonder if inspiration was immediate or if the writers both spent time editing and re-editing before deciding on the final version? Or had they both spent so much time honing their craft that the words just flowed? Either way the result is saying just enough to have something worth saying. Words, well used can uplift and transform, used carelessly and they can be an irritation or worse cause devastating effect.

Facebook and Twitter are great tools, they can be practical, entertaining and are useful for promoting businesses, especially those that are small or just starting out. However, I wonder if all this talk is encouraging us to express opinions about topics on which we are not fully informed and where, in fact, our opinion makes little or no difference to the outcome. I read about a survey which ask respondents to indicate if they would rather answer a true or false question or one which required them to offer an opinion. Most chose the latter. It is a human need to be heard, to have that sense of importance but what happens when the balance is off kilter? When the need to be heard, to express an opinion overrides the content or method of what is said?

Words start as thoughts, perhaps if we were more mindful of our thought life, slower to speak, took time to understand, there would be less babble? It seems we no longer live in an age of mindfulness, there isn't time for us to form a considered opinion as the news cycle has already moved on. 

Perhaps we need to choose wisely as to what we have an opinion on and be aware that those we don't express do still shape our attitudes, and so our actions. Therefore maybe a mental clutter clear out is in order?

So that I may be slower to offer an opinion but quicker to listen, ask questions and then process the answers, to use words of soul, integrity and joy, to relish simplicity and allow time for inspiration and thought.