What makes a person memorable?
Is it what they do? Hey, look at me! For my next trick, I’ll become the rabbit pulled out of the magic hat …
Or is it what they say? Talk … Talk … Talk …
And does saying more actually add up to less and less?
I’ll admit it: there were years in my life when I was all about words. Just let me have my moment. Just let me have the floor. Just let me have my say. Given the chance, the words would f-l-o-w.
I was eloquent. Verbose, even. Memorable? Probably not.
Nowadays I’m more likely to abide by the “Silence is golden” rule. Listen more. Talk less. And wait and see if I have anything worthwhile to say — or not. And really, I don’t know if I’m remembered all that much better than I was in the past … but I do know that I get to know others so much more now. And yes, I remember them.
In Your Words: Who would you say is a memorable person is your life? Is it because of what they did or what they said?
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Comments 10
The most memorable person in my life was one whose life I could not save, and whose pain and fear I could not assuage.
I would have died trying, but was not given that option.
Author
Andrew:
There’s a whole lot more behind your brief comment today. A whole lot more story. A whole lot more emotion. And I thank you for what you shared. It’s enough. I’m sure what you said is the absolute truth: you would have willingly and honorably died trying.
I’ve met so many memorable people over the years that I can’t name my most memorable person–that’d be like saying which child I like the best. 🙂 Oh, okay, I’ll name 1…Delores Topliff. With the life she leads and all the traveling she’s done, I don’t know why she doesn’t write a memoir. She has a beautiful voice and the stories she tells….and did you know she can yodel? And whistle.
Author
You know what, Pat?
I did know Dee can yodel! And she has a beautiful singing voice — and has sung over me in a way that blessed me mightily.
My summation of Dee’s life is a bit Seussian: “Oh the places you’ll go, oh the people you’ll meet!”
I don’t know, Beth, you say you’re not sure you’re as memorable as you used to be, but from the moment I met you at that first MBT retreat, I remembered you. I remembered that scene you wrote, but more, I remembered your grace and laughter. And I am truly not saying this to brown-nose or flatter, but when I think about people I’d like to be like, you’re one of the first who comes to mind.
Somebody memorable to me–well, there’s lots. My parents, of course, little Ollie, my grandparents…one of the most random who comes to mind is my old pre-calc teacher. Which is funny. Being a writer, you’d think I’d steer toward an English teacher first (I had some great ones, for sure) but I’ll never forget my pre-calc teacher basically releasing me from the need to be awesome at everything. I was HORRIBLE at pre-calc. Horrible. I had never, up until that junior year in high school, struggled in a class. Seriously…but then that class knocked me off my feet. And I’ll never forget that teacher saying, “Don’t take calculus next year, Melissa.” Which sounds simple, but what I heard was, “Do what you love instead. You don’t have to be great at this. You don’t even have to like it. Be free… 🙂 “
Author
Melissa,
Your words bless me.Truly. And your friendship is a blessing too.
And it’s funny because I remember your scene from that MBT retreat — and seeing your debut novel (even though it wasn’t that story) thrilled my heart.
And little Ollie and your sister and brother-in-law are memorable — and I am so thankful to say I’ve met them.
This is great wisdom it takes most of us years to learn. I’m still working at it.
Author
Dee:
You live your life investing in others, Dee.
Such a wise post, Beth. I used to talk non-stop. I needed so much attention and validation, but I never got it from talking. I’m also much quieter these days, especially after reading a quote several years ago, “Interesting people are interested people.” That and a friend who reminded me that people really want to talk about themselves and if I wanted them to like me (and I did), to listen.
Author
That’s a wonderful quote, Kim!