scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Oct 17, 2018 14:40:52 GMT
Yesterday I heard Jennifer Aaker speak. She is a social psychologist, author and professor of Marketing at Stanford. I thought she was great and very inspirational and she really showed how telling a story connects you to others. One of the exercises she had us do was to tell our story in 6 words.
Here is mine
Life happens. Silver linings. Live happy!
After that she asked us to expound on our stories with those sitting at our table.
My story is one of optimism. Life will throw us curve balls, tragedy, unbelievable sorrow. But look for the silver linings or even just one lining and make it grow. Live your life with the intention of being happy. This story really defines me and how I respond to everything that happens to me. It didn't used to. I used to be negative nelly, always critical and unhappy and everyone and everything was out to get me. Something truely awful happened and I saw the goodness in total strangers and that helped me redefine myself.
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Post by Linda on Oct 17, 2018 14:56:02 GMT
Interesting. You're very optimistic - I bet that has served you well.
I haven't thought deeply on this but the six word response that jumped to mind was "Make your bed, lie in it" - to expound upon that - the choices you make create the life you end up living and you have to make the best of it even if you didn't make good choices along the way.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 16:09:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 14:58:11 GMT
Do what you love, love what you do. Sorry, I know its 8 words... I work for a VA Hospital, and love helping the veterans. I would not have been able to get this job, had I not been in an accident that permanently disabled me. I had to look for a new job, could no longer stand all day. I am happy
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Oct 17, 2018 14:59:20 GMT
What a thoughtful assignment. At this point in time I think I would answer with “What the hell was I thinking!” I’m just starting to realize that life isn’t a dress rehearsal and much of my life has been spent waiting for things to happen to me and doing what was expected of me rather than making things happen. And now I wonder if I have the energy to change that. Having just lost my father I’m in a very contemplative time of life.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,589
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Oct 17, 2018 15:07:37 GMT
She worried although life was good.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Oct 17, 2018 15:10:15 GMT
What a thoughtful assignment. At this point in time I think I would answer with “What the hell was I thinking!” I’m just starting to realize that life isn’t a dress rehearsal and much of my life has been spent waiting for things to happen to me and doing what was expected of me rather than making things happen. And now I wonder if I have the energy to change that. Having just lost my father I’m in a very contemplative time of life. I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. I totally get how losing a loved one makes you reassess your life and your approach to it. That story line would definitely start a conversation. I pray for peace for you and that in the future your story will come to have a positive meaning to you instead of negative. Maybe the next line could be "Why did I wait so long"
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 16:09:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:55:15 GMT
What a thoughtful assignment. At this point in time I think I would answer with “What the hell was I thinking!” I’m just starting to realize that life isn’t a dress rehearsal and much of my life has been spent waiting for things to happen to me and doing what was expected of me rather than making things happen. And now I wonder if I have the energy to change that. Having just lost my father I’m in a very contemplative time of life. I'm sorry about your father, I cannot imagine going thru that.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 17, 2018 16:40:21 GMT
we are, DESPITE how things were.
my sister and i are big believers that you determine how you will lead your life. even if things started off bad, you don't have to let that stunt you or be your excuse for not living a better life. there are people who say "i'm this way BECAUSE of what happened". it is their excuse for why their relationships don't work out, or why they don't have the job they want, or why they can't be happy. we would rather believe that we can be better DESPITE OF rather than be less BECAUSE OF.
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craswell
Junior Member
Posts: 79
Sept 28, 2016 13:45:06 GMT
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Post by craswell on Oct 17, 2018 16:48:28 GMT
There is always time for music.
Everything in my life works better when it is filled with music - singing, dancing, playing instruments, listening to music. I'm happier, my family is happier. Daily irritations slide on by, and larger worries are soothed.
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Post by Zee on Oct 17, 2018 16:50:46 GMT
Why are you asking me this? I'm suspicious and don't like answering personal questions from strangers. Bah humbug.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,882
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Oct 17, 2018 16:52:27 GMT
Hey, can anyone see/hear me? I feel invisible sometimes... and it's probably why I'm a writer. Maybe someday someone will read me, but some super famous author will probably have a book come out on the same day and no one will notice mine My 2nd one: I'm sarcastic, if you didn't notice.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Oct 17, 2018 16:59:28 GMT
very interesting! right off the bat, what came to mind for me is, "pay attention to the small things." I'm a bit odd in that I'm a chronically depressed person with a positive, pollyanna-ish attitude about life in general. I believe that people are basically good, are very much shaped by their circumstances and life experiences, and can sometimes find it difficult (mentally) to move beyond those circumstances. And I am very MUCH a 'notice the small details' type of person-- noticing the small details is important to me even more since understanding how my chronic depression can affect my outlook on things. There are ALWAYS small things around you that may seem inconsequential but they can lift your mood if you can look for them and notice them: a beautiful sunrise while you're driving to work, your dog giving you a kiss or patting your arm with their paw, a tiny flower you might notice on a weed in your yard while you're doing yard work, things like that. And since my life is made up of small moments and everyday things, paying attention to them helps me feel more engaged in my life. ETA: Zee -- I love yours!! it totally fits with what I 'know' of your personality, at least here on the boards.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,747
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Oct 17, 2018 17:08:21 GMT
Mine is a verse and 8 words.
Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10
Just like many, the loss of someone put life in perspective for me. My mom died from cancer, 28 days from diagnosis to passing at the age of 58. It was the most difficult, painful time in our lives. Out of her passing, I became stronger. I got out of a controlling marriage and became very self-confident. Many times in my life, however, I just need to be still and let God do what He is doing. I have to give my stress and worry to Him. And He does not let me down.
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Post by missbennet on Oct 17, 2018 17:08:27 GMT
And now for something completely different.
Because for every decade, my life bears no resemblance to any of the decades that came before.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 16:09:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 17:11:16 GMT
I am a crazy chicken and duck lady.
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MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Oct 17, 2018 17:24:00 GMT
In my defense, I was unsupervised.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 17, 2018 17:24:51 GMT
on a lighter note, my motto could also be "i should not have eaten that"
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,972
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Oct 17, 2018 17:28:14 GMT
Let's go on an adventure!
It's on the back of my car ("I'm going on an adventure!" from The Hobbit.) It's the phrase I have repeated to my children virtually every day of their lives. In fact, my son said it back to me last night as we headed out to do something I was not looking forward to - he told me to adjust my attitude and we'd make it an adventure.
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 17, 2018 17:29:44 GMT
Find the humor in everything.
I think this is mine because it comes so easily. Even on my very worst day, I found humor.
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 17, 2018 17:32:14 GMT
I must like it. I posted it twice.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Oct 17, 2018 17:37:21 GMT
She stumbles, over and over again.
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 17, 2018 17:38:14 GMT
on a lighter note, my motto could also be "i should not have eaten that" I love this guy. .
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 17, 2018 17:40:09 GMT
Enjoy the journey, embrace change, grow.
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Post by scrapcat on Oct 17, 2018 17:52:21 GMT
Life, one slice at a time. I am a big one thing (minute/day/step) at a time person and, no matter how unhealthy it may sound, thinking of my next slice of pizza, pie or cake, or even cantaloupe or Jersey tomato, always helps get me thru. I guess it could also be... I don't take anything too serious.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Oct 17, 2018 18:02:20 GMT
I just thought of another one for me: "I use a lot of words." LOL!! Although I'm an introvert, I'm a Gemini and have always liked talking a lot (and writing a lot-- just read any of my posts, lol) if it's someone I'm comfortable talking to or it's a subject I'm enthusiastic about. (my mom says I got in trouble in first grade for talking to my classmates-- we sat at round tables; I guess I couldn't help myself.) And I tend to 'overly describe' most things (like with this post! ) which is maybe why I like books written in the late 1800s - early 1900s so much-- they used very flowery descriptive language.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Oct 17, 2018 18:03:40 GMT
Golden rule. No regrets. Little things.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 17, 2018 18:07:55 GMT
I just thought of another one for me: "I use a lot of words." LOL!! Although I'm an introvert, I'm a Gemini and have always liked talking a lot (and writing a lot-- just read any of my posts, lol) if it's someone I'm comfortable talking to or it's a subject I'm enthusiastic about. (my mom says I got in trouble in first grade for talking to my classmates-- we sat at round tables; I guess I couldn't help myself.) And I tend to 'overly describe' most things (like with this post! ) which is maybe why I like books written in the late 1800s - early 1900s so much-- they used very flowery descriptive language. you and i must be kindred spirits! i am a Gemini too and those around me know i am a chatterbox. DH likes to say that wherever we go, he could leave for a minute and come back to me gabbing to someone.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 17, 2018 18:11:42 GMT
Through it all the sun shines One of my favorites sayings is "Through it all still shines the sun." But I'm a rule follower and can't cheat with 7 words.
or
Never forego a grand adventure
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 17, 2018 18:17:22 GMT
I choose to be happy.
We've had some horrible challenges in our lives, with DH's cancer. We both made a decision to live life, not just wait for him to die. Good thing, since the "one year" has turned into 11 years, so far.
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Post by Zee on Oct 17, 2018 18:19:32 GMT
very interesting! right off the bat, what came to mind for me is, "pay attention to the small things." I'm a bit odd in that I'm a chronically depressed person with a positive, pollyanna-ish attitude about life in general. I believe that people are basically good, are very much shaped by their circumstances and life experiences, and can sometimes find it difficult (mentally) to move beyond those circumstances. And I am very MUCH a 'notice the small details' type of person-- noticing the small details is important to me even more since understanding how my chronic depression can affect my outlook on things. There are ALWAYS small things around you that may seem inconsequential but they can lift your mood if you can look for them and notice them: a beautiful sunrise while you're driving to work, your dog giving you a kiss or patting your arm with their paw, a tiny flower you might notice on a weed in your yard while you're doing yard work, things like that. And since my life is made up of small moments and everyday things, paying attention to them helps me feel more engaged in my life. ETA: Zee -- I love yours!! it totally fits with what I 'know' of your personality, at least here on the boards. Really it should be "it seemed like a good idea at the time", but that's too long. My whole life has been a series of questionable choices that seem to work out in the end.
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