Stories by Sheryl S. | August Edition

Dick & Jane

Dick and Jane were good friends. 

They went to school with each other and played and had lots of fun. 

Dick and Jane played games and were good little kids in school. Dick and Jane loved each other very much. The End... ["Ha ha!" says Dick and Jane's mother.]

The Tree House

Tommy, Robbie, and Tim climbed into the treehouse fast.  This is where they shared their hopes, dreams, and secrets. 

It was a treehouse they built 6 years ago.  As the years flew by they ate there, partied there, and brought their women there. 

Robbie walked away, older now, shook his head and smiled. Then he cried. The days of innocence were gone. 

The End... 

The Maple Tree

The neighborhood kids gathered around the Robertson's old maple tree.  Mrs. Robertson gave all the kids chocolate ice cream cones. You should have seen the look on their faces. 

Ha ha! Funny!

The kids talked of teachers they liked and disliked, and what they would be having for lunch in school tomorrow.  They told ghost stories, and talked about the haunted house down the street. 

It was getting dark, and they all decided to go home. 

Better day than Charlie Brown and his friends had.  They all went to bed with chocolate faces. 

The End... 

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.*

Liberty to Love by Alanda McRae

 It is so important to find self acceptance, to be able to laugh in life. Without these things, how can we expect ourselves to love one another? 

How do you find self acceptance when we live in a world full of judgement? In a universe where every move we make is analyzed to the point of not being able to escape rape culture or evolve into a higher state of understanding? Can you find love when you aren't able to laugh (aloud or internally) about anything? 

I want to hear your story. I want to know what you love about yourself. What is the best thing about your life? What makes you smile every day? 

Thank you for your time and I appreciate your reading this through to completion. 

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.