The Proust Challenge - Libby Mitchell
The Proust Challenge was made famous by Marcel Proust and started as a parlor game. If you answer the questions, it will give you insight to your true self. Don’t know if that’s right or not, but I’m going to give it a shot.
I’m coming back to writing after an eighteen month hiatus. Instead of doing a new writer’s list, I’m going to do this challenge that Dr. Mehmet Yildiz put forth last year.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness happens when I am with my whole family, even if it is just sitting there playing Spades with my son-in-law, watching movies with my oldest, or chasing after the grandkids. It’s being with those we love.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is not enough time to get done everything I want to do in my life.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Perfectionism. It can get me stuck and then I can’t go forward.
Which living person do you most admire?
My very good friend, Nicki Keohohou, motivational speaker and writer, and co-founder of DSWA in Hawaii. Her gracious way she has with people, empowering them, and making them see the best in themselves.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
This one is a hard one because I think that all too often it is taken out of context and that would be “goodness.” The reason I say that it is felt that if I am not “good”, then I must be “bad.” Unfortunately, that leads to bad situations such as abuse, where women stay in abusive relationship (and men).
On what occasion do you lie?
I do my best not to as I’m very bad at it. Also, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself just not caring enough to lie.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
So, like, ummm.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
There are many great loves in my life: husband, children, grandchildren, good friends, writing, travel, and I keep my mind open for more.
When and where were you happiest?
I try to be happy as often as possible so I can’t say where I’ve been the happiest.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Being able to draw something besides a stick figure.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nothing. I don’t mean that I’m perfect, I’m far from that. However, changing something in me would mean that all the trials I went through, all the bullying as a child, the challenges I went through as an adult and a single mom would mean nothing and I won’t have that. All those “flaws” have made me who I am.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
At this time, being a mom and grandmother and seeing what is becoming of their lives.
Where would you most like to live?
Mountains by a lake.
What do you most value in your friends?
My friends are not scared to tell me what is what, to pull my head out of my ass, and they are loyal and lift me up when I’m down.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Ben Franklin, Maya Angelou, and all those who stood up and didn’t give a shit, no matter what it cost them.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My dad was the biggest one. He died so young, but he taught me what it meant to have a good work ethic, to care about those you love, and it was okay to make mistakes.
What is your greatest regret?
Not spending more time with people I love and always working. Or being busy. That has changed in the last few years, but it is a regret I didn’t see it earlier.
What is your motto?
Do no harm.
Don’t know if this lists my true self…but it was fun to answer.
