Journal Prompt Answers by *L.V.M.*

 Who makes you feel loved and why?

"My sister because she always tries to make my birthday nice. My best friend because she always remembers to text me and keep me included. My baby boy because he always has a smile for me and gives great hugs. My oldest baby because they are so clever and creative and include me on the way their mind works."

Do you remember much of your past? Why do you think that is?

"I remember bits and pieces. The day-to-day parts blur together and I forget a lot of things until someone reminds me. Probably because they're boring and can't hold my attention."

What does it mean to be a good friend? What type of friend are you?

"Honesty and loyalty are necessary for a good friend. I'm always there to motivate, support, listen, and lift up my friends. I say what I think and do my best to help with problems. Lies are too much drama. My circle of friends know they can trust and rely on me. I can be fun and serious (simultaneously or not) depending on what the situation requires."

[Prompts] Family (part 2) [End...]

In what way do you not fit in with the family you grew up in? Or, are you a perfect fit?

Answers:

"My mom used to fight with my dad. My dad would get drunk and hit my mom, so 13 years later she divorced him and married Dave. My dad's name was Jim. I quit school and went into Youth Foster Care, and now I live in an Adult Foster Care and play basketball with my friends. My mom is 72 years old, lives in a foster care, and quit smoking cigarettes for 4 years now. We talk on the phone and visit sometimes. Sadly, my dad & my step-dad died." -Leon B.

"No, I don't get along with my family because they're drunks and other stuff. My family is not a good fit." -Julie R.

"Because I couldn't sit in front of a T.V. for hours on end every night, I didn't fit in." -Scott C.

"It's hard to fit into a family when my dad died when I was 6 [years old]. My mom died when I was 16 [years old]. I had uncles, aunts, and cousins... But I was not close to them. I had no brothers or sisters, either. I have no family members who are close to me. My family now consists of dear friends & I love them to pieces." -Deb G.

"I am a freak because I'm obsessively organized in a chaos-filled environment. I also don't like potatoes - which gets my mother all sorts of judgmental squirrely nuts! I get along with my sister, though, despite everything different between us. My mom calls me her clone because we look alike,, but also because we argue the same. My brother and I only get along while watching anime. My dad and I butt heads constantly, but it was how we communicated. So none of us fit with each other particularly well..." -Alanda M.

 Click Here for Part 1!

Prompt Responses (Bet You Missed These) {Family pt.1}

 In what way do you not fit in with the family you grew up in? Or, are you a perfect fit?

"Well, I wasn't around my family very much but we were all from different places. But we were from an all white background from London, England to America we were all poor trying to make it in this New World." - Lorrie W.

"I don't fit in because I speak my mind. I don't hold you with my mouth." -BabyGirl*

"They all have boyfriends and girlfriends. I do feel bad sometimes, and they have children. We all get along really well, though. I don't have a boyfriend or children, but I have a wonderful family." -Sheryl S.

More Core Beliefs (Prompt Answers)

 Five Core Beliefs Which Guide My Life Are:

Deb G.

1. My Religion/Praying
2. Reading Books
3. Writing my novel and poems
4. Visiting with my friends
5. Following my doctor's treatment plans

Laura A.

1. Accept people as they are| They are not going to change because you don't like the way they are
2. There are two things in life: Change and Resistance to Change
3. Your attitude determines your experience
4. Never trust anyone who isn't kind and compassionate to animals
5. There is no mood that cannot be improved by cat pictures
6. (Bonus) Despite all my rage, I'm still just a rat in a cage

*Serenity S.

1. Honesty - Lying is the quickest way to be removed from my life
2. Loyalty - Lack of loyalty can destroy all emotional ties permanently 
3. Empathy - No love 😍 means no trust
4. Baseball - It's exciting, fun, and a great way to pass the time.
5. Music - The best part of emotions and life is found in music.

I know it sounds crazy, but it is what it is...

Scott C.

1. To be good will pay off
2. To be sensitive to others will make a difference
3. That *SUMMER* will make future seasons change my disabilities
4. My beliefs in Christianity will lead me to safety
5. My enemies were tricked & will come back to their senses

*Names were changed as requested.*

5 Core Beliefs (Prompt Answers)

FIVE CORE BELIEFS THAT GUIDE MY LIFE ARE:

1. Believing in myself
2. Loving myself
3. Loving God
4. Loving Others
5. Loving my Children

---Lorrie W.

1. Stay healthy
2. Have fun
3. See my mom
4. Basketball
5. Looking at pictures of Family & Friends

---Leon B.

1. Best friend
2. Staff members
3. Myself
4. Animals and Pets
5. Talking to my doctor

---Julie R.

#IMMORTALGIRL <-:Click Here & Click Here:-> #THEFOG🌫 

Stereotyped Continued... {Prompt Answers}

Describe a time when you felt you were unfairly stereotyped because of your age or any other characteristic:

"When I started coming to Human Behavior Health Services, I had recently been admitted to the Psych Ward of Oaklawn Hospital. I used to chant to myself to keep my every-day going. It wasn't a list of what I needed to do - it was one specific thing. But it helped. I was lashing out at my body in strange ways. Cutting. Not eating. Spacing out. And then the chanting wasn't helping. So I allowed the admittance. Because I just didn't know what to do anymore. So I spent 18 days in the Psych Ward trying to figure out what I already knew, that I was schizophrenic. It runs in the family, so it felt like a waste of time. Then I was suggested for after-care therapy. I am grateful for it, but it seems an inconvenience for both parties." 

-Julia P.

"When I was a freshman in high school, I was an outcast. I thought I was an outcast because I didn't fit in simply. I loved, loved, loved my music. I think people thought I was a rebel based on that and after school I didn't study. I went to the fort me and a few friends made and I smoked my cigarettes. I'd skip school and go to a friend's house. But I wasn't trying to be a rebel, I was just being wild and free - not dangerous or anything at all..."

-Scott C.

"I am unfairly stereotyped because I'm on disability. I am diagnosed Bipolar, PTSD, and I have a seizure disorder. People (my family) assume I don't work because I'm lazy. The family doesn't understand. They don't try to understand. They don't know my details and I haven't corrected them. So, they make up rumors to spread behind my back.. It's hard to describe a specific time because it's been ongoing for years. They won't help me when I need it because they don't believe I try to help myself."

-Melanie P.

Click to read Part 1... 

(I'm not a fan of part one, but I don't think too many folks are. Keep an eye out for part 3 - yes, there are even more answers waiting to be posted. I feel this particular prompt is something many people can relate to because everyone is assumed to be something for some miniscule reason at some point in their lives...)

Mistake Prompt Answer 2.0

WHAT IS A MISTAKE PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE ABOUT YOU?

"People often make the mistake that I'm stupid, especially my family. Today's society is go-getter money-oriented. Money doesn't motivate me. That doesn't make me stupid, it just means my priorities are different. I don't define success with dollar signs.  My children and my art are my priorities. When I'm dead, they will be my legacy.  Guaranteed with four children, my legacy will last longer than someone working double shifts to buy an Xbox. I want my art to live on, too. I hope it lives on long after I'm gone. So, I put my energy into my children, mot just buying them things, but teaching them. I put my energy into painting, with each painting my skills improve." -Melanie Peine.

Mistake/Assumptions {Prompt answers}

What is a mistake people often make about you?

"They mistake me for being somebody else." -Lorrie W.

"That I'm nice and a pushover. And you are *not* going to use me." -Babygirl*

"When they think I'm still lying about things, but I'm just trying to better my life." -Julie R.

"That I don't know what they honestly think of me." -Scott C.

"Some say I'm a troublemaker, but I'm not. In high school they told me not to try out for baseball because they thought I wasn't good enough. I'm really forgetful and I am, kind of. I like birthdays and other holidays, but they say I waste my time. I see new movies at the theater or on DVD... I don't ignore the world." -Leon B.

"People assume, because I keep my emotions to myself, that I just don't care about anything. However, I'm really just wary about perceptions, reactions, and general liars." -Alanda M.

"They don't believe that I suffer from a mental illness. They don't believe that I played softball and volleyball for 20 years when I was younger. They don't believe I have written 3 poetry books - and sold them. They also don't believe I'm writing a novel now." - Deb G.

Highs & Lows *Prompt Answers*

List Your Highs and Lows of this Month and a Good Habit You'd Like to Start:

"My high was walking more. My low was losing *another* love. No good habits come to mind." -Babygirl*

"I've been feeling pretty good this month. One of my lows would be I haven't been eating healthy like usual. So I would like to start eating healthy on a more consistent basis." -Epifanio Ibarra

"My highs this month were getting all of my 'small goals' accomplished, and being amused by my grand-kids. My lows were having my van break down *again*, so I'm back to public transport and begging friends for rides. A good habit I'd like to start is to get more organized with my writing. I'm not comfortable doing a journal right now, but if I can keep up with the writing prompts that I bring to my groups, it will be a step in that direction!" -Lyn McRae.

*Name(s) changed as requested upon the submission.*

Truly Happy *Prompt Answers*

Write about the last moment that made you feel truly happy:

"Walking in the door and my grand-kids were so happy to see me. Just because I'm their Ooma. I was home with them and they could talk to me and read to me and sing to me and play Trains with me and hug me. Their little faces just lit up, because Ooma's home." -Lyn McRae.

"I always feel happy when I'm with my boys. They're happiness and excitement is contagious. They make it seem like the entire world is bright, even when it's dreadful. We watch cartoons together, play with their toys, draw... My oldest is only 6 years old but he's not only an amazing artist but a lover of music, and I'm glad for it. My little one is nearly 4 years old and can dance better than I ever could."
- Lillian Smith.

Distractions (Prompt Answers)

WHAT IS A SURE-FIRE WAY TO DISTRACT YOU FROM THE TASK AT HAND?

"Well, if something goes wrong - like a fire or an accident - that is a sure way to distract me from my task at hand." -Lorrie W.

"People talking to me and trying to ask questions when I'm reading a book or watching a movie. I can't multitask - I try to, but I just can't." -Julie R.

"1. The sound of firetrucks going by. 2. Somebody telling us that they see critters in our yard. The critters are 5 deer, 4 rabbits, 4 woodchucks and 3 cats. I can't have pets in the house I'm living in. 3. A baseball game on T.V. 4. Playing cards with my housemates." -Deb G.

"Playing basketball, video games, or football. I do my comics and bring them in to cut out a little violence and swearing. I need to go for a walk twice a day. Then I'm gonna go to sleep for about 3 hours. Make more comics. When I'm on the phone and people talk to me. All of these can be very distracting." -Leon B.

"Having our house lady ordering me to do something now instead of listening to me that I'll do it in a little while." -Scott C.

"Music and books pretty much guarantee me getting distracted. Asian dramas draw me in and you won't get my attention at all. It's not really difficult to split my focus to be honest." -Lana J.*

*Name changes per request*

(If you aren't distracted by Matt Smith with a bunch of different Benders - you are more focused than a Jedi Master on Ritalin...)

A Prompt to make you Think...

Three qualities I'd like to strengthen about myself are...

"My creativity, my patience, and my emotional strength. My creativity is good but could be better. My patience and emotional strength are definitely works in progress!" 

- Lyn M.

Stress (Prompt Answers)

How impairing is stress in your life?

"I have problems with stress in my life. It makes me want to sleep. I sleep until I wake up not feeling stressful. I have problems with depression and I don't need stress, too." -Deb G.

"I wish I could have no stress, but it is hard to live life with a lot of stress. It's taking a toll on me. I feel like I have no control over it. But I'm learning how to deal with it." -Julie R.

"Stress is very impairing in my life. I have too many responsibilities, too many people trying to dictate my life, with children in the background going "Mom, mom!" I am bipolar. This triggers me; sometimes it triggers mania and a lot of the time I sleep. It also triggers unhealthy coping mechanisms, which I'm not going to mention here." -Mel P.


{Stress is a common occurrence for everyone in the world. This doesn't mean we are affected by it in the same way or to the same degree. Please remember that before you make any judgement...}

Stress & Challenges (Prompt Answers)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ABILITY TO MANAGE STRESS?

"I'm not very good at managing stress. I try to relieve it as best I can when it happens. One thing I've been meaning to try is to listen to music when I'm stressed. I need to work on that!" -Epifanio I.

"I use sudoku and music to help me when meditation fails me, which is rare. My ability to manage stress is largely dependent upon external factors and how my anxiety responds to them. Thankfully, I've been using yoga and meditation with deep breathing for over 20 years to cope. I heartily recommend it." -Alanda M.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST CHALLENGE YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME?

"I think the hardest challenge I had to overcome was with my addiction to alcohol. I was never happy and being sober has made me happy again!" -Epifanio I.

"Managing my stress. I've always been a person who's stressed since as early as 7 years old. Getting people to recognize this issue was difficult which made getting help with it an issue as well. No one takes me seriously about it which just stresses me out more. So even though I have an array of coping techniques - it is still an everyday issue I have to focus on to get over." - Alanda M.

Lost Love (Prompt Answers)

Write about a time you had to let go of something you loved or wanted. 
How did it change you?

"My ex-boyfriend because he would not get clean with me. He didn't stop so he died, but I lived clean now for 3 years." -Babygirl*

"I had to let go of my mother when she passed away. It was a difficult time for me. It took me a long time to get through her passing. It taught me to be strong and more self-reliant." -Epifanio I.

"I let go of a friend Mike and it really hurt. He was my recovery buddy. We'd always go to his house and talk, and play music. The day he died, he broke my heart. I have never loved someone like that again." -Sharon S.

"7 years ago I let go of living in Michigan - a place I love - to go to California. It was a long journey via bus, but it was beautiful and full of interesting people. I was stressed and worried during the trip, but laughing in the end. I lit up when I saw my sister though (even though it was 2:00 A.M. when I arrived). I gave up my singing and writing while I was there (4 months) turning into an even bigger recluse. By the time I got back to Michigan, I was depressed and a complete hermit. I didn't start to enjoy myself again until I went back to college. It turns out I'm less destructive in a semi-social atmosphere doing things I love than when I'm living for everyone else's needs. Go figure!" 
- Alanda M.

Life Prompt Answers: What do you deserve?

What do you believe you deserve in life?

"Honest people that are honest about recovery because my recovery is important and I dislike people that lie about recovery." -Sharon S.

"Peace and to be loved by my family and my boyfriend." -Babygirl*

"I deserve a stable home, a reliable vehicle, and the ability to help others when they need it. I deserve happiness from my creations, love from my family and friends, and a free lifetime subscription to Netflix." -Lyn M.

Learning From Mistakes *Prompt Answers*

What can you learn from your biggest mistakes?

"Never drink again - or use drugs." -Sharon S.

"Never letting someone with nothing bring you down to their life style again." -Babygirl*

"The one big mistake that I've experienced was my alcoholism. Being in recovery made me happy and more the person I want to be! It's a big part of my recovery." -Epifanio I.

"My biggest mistake was believing words over actions. It doesn't matter how often someone tells you they love you if they treat you like a commodity - and that's if they aren't completely dismissing you like you're a piece of dirt. Love should lift you up; it shouldn't drag you down. Love shouldn't be held up as a reward for being the way someone else wants you to be. It should be freely given sincerely for being yourself." -Alanda M.

*Names have been altered as requested*

Stronger Person (Prompt Answers)

What has made you a stronger person?

Answers:

"Not having family when I was on drugs. Now I'm clean they love me so much - all they want is my money." ~Babygirl*

"Feeling good about myself and working and going to meetings. Also doing meetings and working on my self esteem." ~Sharon S.

"I think being in recovery has made me the strongest person I could possibly be." ~Epifanio I.

"My sister made me a stronger person by giving me something to aspire to and good competition without looking down on me. My mother makes me stronger by loving and supporting me as much as she is able. My brother makes me stronger by helping me to laugh off stress. My children make me stronger by giving me inspiration and somewhere to put my abundance of love. My friends, Courtney and Nitia, help reinforce my strength by giving me a sturdy foundation for my day-to-day anxiety issues to be bounced off of. I am a stronger person because I have a wonderful and amazing support circle. I love you guys!" ~Alanda M.



*Names have been altered by request of the writers...*