Composing a Quotable Quote

I've been wondering how quotes become famous.

Someone will find one line from a novel and next thing you know, it's flung across the web like a frisbee, and bloggers catch it, record it, and toss it back out again. Famous. Or at least well traveled. I don't think the origin of the quote matters much anymore. In other words, the person doesn't need to be a famous statesman or poet to be quotable. Average citizens are being quoted all over the Internet these days.

So yesterday I thought, "Hey, why not me?" and set myself to composing a quotation people would latch on to. Something true and pithy. Something funny, perhaps, or poignant. Even though my preschool son is chattering nonstop in the background, instructing me on how to care for a plastic elephant with pretend pills, I'm going to try to write to inspire. Yessirree, world, pay attention. This may be the next thing you'll read in Oprah's magazine or scribble out and stick on your fridge.

"If parenting is an art, I need far more than a 64 pack of crayons with a built-in sharpener. I need the meticulous care of Vermeer, the creativity of da Vinci, the endurance of Michelangelo, the ability to see beyond what's in front of my face like Van Gogh, and the playful spontaneity of Picasso. The catch is to avoid losing my sanity!"

Okay, maybe not. Besides, I may not have pegged the key points of each artist. Let's see...I guess you'd have to pick a line from this long one:

"Do people who practice mindfulness ever take time to reflect on their lives? If I live only in the moment and fail to plan for my future or learn from my past, I may negate the very thing I'm hoping for, unable to live wisely and effectively in the 'now.' However, I suppose the trouble comes from dwelling in the past and worrying about the future. If I focus most of my thought time and energy reliving mistakes and glories of last week or long ago, or fretting about tomorrow's or next week's events outside of my control, that's when I'm wasting my life. With appropriate analysis of past choices and some healthy planning for what's ahead, I'm free to invest thoughtful energy in each moment, the only place where my soul--bound by chronology--intersects with eternity--unbounded and timeless."

Oh, that seems like I'm over philosophizing, like I'm trying to copy Madeleine L'Engle. Besides, it's hardly pithy. Too many compound, complex sentences strung together in a row.

One more try:

"We should all take ten minutes out of every day to blow bubbles. For an investment of about 50 cents, we'd get outside and enjoy some fresh air, learn to breathe more deeply, appreciate brevity, and maybe even laugh a little."

Hmph. Well, I guess writing a memorable quote has to happen by accident, otherwise it's too self-aware, like a kid swinging on a swing making up songs lyrics who suddenly realizes someone's watching him. You can actually see the shift from flowing moments of true creativity to an awkward self-consciousness. He talks louder, watches the audience out of the corner of his eye, and just tries too hard.

Try a few quotes of your own. Don't try too hard--just write a few thoughts. Stick them in the comments section. Who knows? Your words may fly across the 'Net within days!