{"id":1870,"date":"2022-09-13T09:29:22","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T14:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/?p=1870"},"modified":"2022-09-27T07:09:58","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T12:09:58","slug":"six-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/2022\/09\/six-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Words"},"content":{"rendered":"
Rev. Dr. Char Cox delves into an exploration of the power of six-word stories and a meditation on six particular words: Values, Openness, Call, Attentiveness, Regret, and Experiences. Through her exploration, we understand that small words can make a big impact on the lives of so many people, especially through difficult times such as the global pandemic that has left everyone feeling vulnerable and unsteady.<\/h5>\n
\"\"
Photo by Glen Carrie<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have long been fascinated<\/p>\n

By the six-word story \u2013<\/p>\n

Six words to tell a complete tale,<\/p>\n

Six words to capture an experience,<\/p>\n

Six words to engender emotion,<\/p>\n

Six words to draw the reader in,<\/p>\n

And<\/p>\n

To leave the reader changed,<\/p>\n

Six words to say everything there is to say,<\/p>\n

Six words \u2013<\/p>\n

Succinct,<\/p>\n

Carefully chosen,<\/p>\n

Complete.<\/p>\n

I first discovered the six-word<\/p>\n

Phenomenon<\/p>\n

several years ago<\/p>\n

when I was reading memoirs.<\/p>\n

My goal was to read<\/p>\n

a book a week,<\/p>\n

And in the process,<\/p>\n

I searched for titles<\/p>\n

by reading reviews online.<\/p>\n

One day,<\/p>\n

when I was scrolling through the results for<\/p>\n

\u201cmust read memoirs,\u201d<\/p>\n

I stumbled upon<\/p>\n

The Six Word Memoir \u00ae project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After finding the website,<\/p>\n

I ordered and read,<\/p>\n

\u201cNot Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs,\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

by Writers Famous and Obscure,<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

edited by Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith.<\/p>\n

By page 20,<\/p>\n

I was hooked.<\/p>\n

As I read<\/p>\n

Entry after entry,<\/p>\n

I was amazed<\/p>\n

at how just six words<\/p>\n

spoke volumes.<\/p>\n

\n

Six words<\/p>\n

told complete stories.<\/p>\n

Six words<\/p>\n

captured<\/p>\n

Moods<\/p>\n

and memories.<\/p>\n

Conflicts<\/p>\n

and crises,<\/p>\n

People<\/p>\n

and poignancy.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cBorn in the desert, still thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Georgene Nunn<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSavior complex makes for many disappointments.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Alanna Schubach<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJoined Army. Came out. Got booted.\u201d<\/p>\n

–John Baumeister<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cFollowed rules, not dreams. Never again.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Margaret Hellerstein<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the playground, alone. 1970, today.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Charles Warren<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cEveryone who loved me is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Ellen Fanning<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTime to start over again, again.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Dan Petronelli<\/em><\/p>\n

And, still one of my favorite \u2013<\/p>\n

\u201cAsked to quiet down; spoke louder.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Wendy Lee.<\/em><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long<\/p>\n

before six words<\/p>\n

became a regular spiritual practice for me.<\/p>\n

Review the day<\/p>\n

in six words.<\/p>\n

Portray the experience<\/p>\n

in six words.<\/p>\n

Process the feelings<\/p>\n

in six words.<\/p>\n

Succinctly summarize<\/p>\n

both joys and sorrows,<\/p>\n

trials and triumphs,<\/p>\n

hopes and fears<\/p>\n

in six words,<\/p>\n

Day after day,<\/p>\n

Week after week,<\/p>\n

Month after month –<\/p>\n

It became a framework<\/p>\n

to put things into a healthy perspective,<\/p>\n

to both celebrate<\/p>\n

and let things go.<\/p>\n

Before I knew it,<\/p>\n

I found myself<\/p>\n

thinking in six words<\/p>\n

about things both<\/p>\n

humorous<\/p>\n

and serious.<\/p>\n

It even became a part of my<\/p>\n

sermon preparation \u2013<\/p>\n

Write the sermon in six words \u2013<\/p>\n

and then write the whole sermon.<\/p>\n

It was \u2013<\/p>\n

and is \u2013<\/p>\n

Both life-giving<\/p>\n

and life-saving.<\/p>\n

When the pandemic descended<\/p>\n

upon<\/p>\n

and engulfed the world<\/p>\n

in early 2020,<\/p>\n

I found myself<\/p>\n

wondering what I could do<\/p>\n

that would give people<\/p>\n

a space,<\/p>\n

a place,<\/p>\n

and community<\/p>\n

amid lockdown<\/p>\n

and isolation<\/p>\n

to not feel so alone.<\/p>\n

\n

We couldn\u2019t be together,<\/p>\n

but we needed each other.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With so much<\/p>\n

Upended<\/p>\n

And suspended,<\/p>\n

I \u2013 we \u2013<\/p>\n

Needed some way to<\/p>\n

Articulate,<\/p>\n

Put into words –<\/p>\n

Name<\/p>\n

what we were<\/p>\n

Thinking,<\/p>\n

Feeling,<\/p>\n

and Experiencing<\/p>\n

amid so much fear and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Late one night,<\/p>\n

In March of 2020,<\/p>\n

I formed a Facebook group –<\/p>\n

\u201cSix Word Snapshots.\u201d<\/p>\n

The timeline photo<\/p>\n

said then,<\/p>\n

And still says now –<\/p>\n

\u201cStaying home<\/p>\n

Washing hands<\/p>\n

Praying more.\u201d<\/p>\n

The invitation is this:<\/p>\n

In six words only,<\/p>\n

write about what you are doing<\/p>\n

amid these changing times.<\/p>\n

What brings you joy?<\/p>\n

How has your life changed?<\/p>\n

What are your challenges?<\/p>\n

How are you passing the time?<\/p>\n

How are you<\/p>\n

“making the best of it?”<\/p>\n

What are you thinking about it?<\/p>\n

Remember \u2013<\/p>\n

six words only \u2013<\/p>\n

no more, no less!<\/p>\n

I invited a handful of my friends.<\/p>\n

They invited more.<\/p>\n

And it grew exponentially<\/p>\n

In a matter of hours.<\/p>\n

People wrote –<\/p>\n

People responded<\/p>\n

And with one six-word post<\/p>\n

after another,<\/p>\n

a community was formed.<\/p>\n

People wrote of their sorrows:<\/p>\n

And suddenly tears, despite the sun.<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of their exhaustion.<\/p>\n

I miss my motivation. Too tired.<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of their loved ones who were sick:<\/p>\n

Rest eternally, Dad. Kick COVID, Mom.<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of strained relationships:<\/p>\n

Painful relationship with mother. Weird day.<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of unemployment:<\/p>\n

Husband\u2019s job loss is permanent. Sigh.<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of the unsettled-ness of time:<\/p>\n

Really? It\u2019s not Friday? Who knew?<\/em><\/p>\n

People wrote of the everyday things that were keeping them going:<\/p>\n

Warm, delicious homemade cinnamon raison bread.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

People wrote<\/p>\n

and wrote<\/p>\n

and wrote,<\/p>\n

and they are still writing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The posts are more infrequent now<\/p>\n

and are often not related to the pandemic \u2013<\/p>\n

Prayers, friend’s heart valve surgery tomorrow<\/em><\/p>\n

Friends’ happiness makes my heart giggle<\/em><\/p>\n

Yippee, back to work at 80<\/em><\/p>\n

Making play dough tonight! Kneading \u2026Therapeutic.<\/em><\/p>\n

But there is something profoundly holy<\/p>\n

about this<\/p>\n

six-word experience<\/p>\n

and the ongoing way that<\/p>\n

it meets people\u2019s needs<\/p>\n

to speak<\/p>\n

and be heard,<\/p>\n

to name something \u2013<\/p>\n

anything, really –<\/p>\n

and have someone respond.<\/p>\n

In recent months,<\/p>\n

my personal six-word practice<\/p>\n

has taken on<\/p>\n

yet another<\/p>\n

a new form.<\/p>\n

Through my work as the<\/p>\n

Program Director for Congregational Thriving<\/p>\n

at St. Olaf College,<\/p>\n

I have the privilege of<\/p>\n

stewarding<\/p>\n

The Nourishing Vocation Project<\/em><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

a project through the<\/p>\n

Lutheran Center<\/p>\n

for Faith, Values, and Community<\/p>\n

with generous support from<\/p>\n

Lilly Endowment Inc.<\/p>\n

The Nourishing Vocation Project<\/p>\n

is a four-phase experience<\/p>\n

that invites individual participants<\/p>\n

and whole congregations<\/p>\n

to deepen their understanding<\/p>\n

of God\u2019s call<\/p>\n

upon their life and work<\/p>\n

so that they can thrive.<\/p>\n

Foundational to this project<\/p>\n

is a spiritual practice<\/p>\n

that I have created, called<\/p>\n

Vocare.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Vocare<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

from the Latin,<\/p>\n

meaning \u201cto call,\u201d<\/p>\n

is designed to<\/p>\n

help you discern<\/p>\n

and embrace<\/p>\n

your multiple vocations<\/p>\n

so that<\/p>\n

you can more intentionally<\/p>\n

live life on purpose<\/p>\n

for the common good.<\/p>\n

Vocare<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

invites ongoing reflection upon<\/p>\n

six words \u2013<\/p>\n

Values,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Openness,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Call,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Attentiveness,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regrets,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n

of God\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n

Vocare<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

invites you to regularly<\/p>\n

dwell with these questions \u2013<\/p>\n

What do I value<\/strong>,<\/p>\n

and how am I living my values?<\/p>\n

To what am I being asked to be open<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

How do I respond?<\/p>\n

What voices are calling<\/strong> to me?<\/p>\n

Which ones do I listen to, and why?<\/p>\n

Where am I giving my attention<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

Does my attention align with my values?<\/p>\n

What are my regrets<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

What insight do I gain from them?<\/p>\n

When, where, and how have I experienced<\/strong><\/p>\n

the presence of the God in my everyday life?<\/p>\n

\n

Values<\/strong><\/p>\n

Openness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Call<\/strong><\/p>\n

Attentiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regret<\/strong><\/p>\n

Experience<\/strong> \u2013<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Six words<\/p>\n

that can<\/p>\n

nourish ongoing discernment,<\/p>\n

Six words<\/p>\n

that can<\/p>\n

nourish the pursuit of purpose,<\/p>\n

Six words<\/p>\n

that can<\/p>\n

nourish the living of<\/p>\n

our multiple vocations in daily life,<\/p>\n

Six words<\/p>\n

that can<\/p>\n

lead you to more intentionally<\/p>\n

live life on purpose for the common good.<\/em><\/p>\n

I commend this practice<\/p>\n

and its six words<\/p>\n

to you.<\/p>\n

Incorporate it<\/p>\n

into something you are already doing \u2013<\/p>\n

Put these six words<\/p>\n

in your head<\/p>\n

and write them on your heart.<\/p>\n

Think on them<\/p>\n

when you go for a walk,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Commute to work,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Have your devotions,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Mow your lawn,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Sit down at table with your family,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Take a shower,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Plan your budget,<\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

Lay out your monthly calendar.<\/p>\n

Give them space in your thoughts<\/p>\n

when you go to bed at night.<\/p>\n

Let them greet you<\/p>\n

when you wake<\/p>\n

In the morning.<\/p>\n

Welcome them<\/p>\n

as a companion<\/p>\n

on your daily journey \u2013<\/p>\n

whatever that journey may be<\/p>\n

and wherever that journey<\/p>\n

may take you.<\/p>\n

\n

You just might be surprised at how<\/p>\n

these six words<\/p>\n

lead you to clarity<\/p>\n

when life is confusing \u2013<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Point you toward intention<\/p>\n

when meaning is allusive,<\/p>\n

And deepen your understanding<\/p>\n

of God\u2019s call<\/p>\n

upon your life and work \u2013<\/p>\n

in the everyday moments<\/p>\n

of everyday life<\/p>\n

so that<\/p>\n

you can<\/p>\n

more intentionally,<\/p>\n

live life on purpose for the common good.<\/em><\/p>\n

And who knows,<\/p>\n

You may even end up with some<\/p>\n

Amazing six-word stories along the way!<\/p>\n

Used with permission. Originally posted on\u00a0Church Anew<\/a>, a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rev. Dr. Char Cox delves into an exploration of the power of six-word stories and a meditation on six particular words: Values, Openness, Call, Attentiveness, Regret, and Experiences. Through her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8561,"featured_media":1871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[4],"class_list":["post-1870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faith","tag-lutheran-center-for-faith-values-and-community"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/files\/2022\/09\/glen-carrie-oHoBIbDj7lo-unsplash.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8561"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1870"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1891,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870\/revisions\/1891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/lutherancenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}