On "Once upon a time..."

When was the last time you read a story that began: “Once upon a time…”? Or better yet, when was  the last time you wrote a story that began: “Once upon a time…”? If you are like me, it has been some time. If you think about a “Once upon a time…” story it usually begins with a fairy prince or princess, and ends with: “…And they lived happily ever after. The end.”  Oh, and there is lots of good, happy stuff in the middle. These short stories, which are often told to children, are typically happy stories, designed and told to cheer the soul and spirit of the little loves in our lives. These stories are an opportunity to have the main character be as happy, as handsome or beautiful, and as successful as we want. So, why do these just have to be stories? Why not take our short story, and make it a wonderful little story about our lives? It might be fantasy, or it might be reality, or it might even be a fantasy that we want to make reality! Whatever the case, it can be your story, that’s YOUR STORY, and all about you! So what comes to mind, when I say you can write a story about yourself? If it is something like….”that’s crazy, I don’t have enough information, talent , or life experiences to tell a story about me”. And guess what I am going to say?....”That’s crazy!!!! You have all you need to write and tell a beautiful story about you…just the way you are today”! My story, well today, I may write a little fantasy story about me being a back up singer for a famous musician. ‘Im dressed in a red sequence dress, with my hair in a beehive, sporting red hot lipstick, and having the time of my life!

Today’s activity: write a story

Today I encourage you to write a story about YOU. Put pen to paper, and finger to keys, and write. Begin the story with: “Once upon a time…” and then allow your mind to wander for a few minutes, for an hour, or even a day. Decide if you want to write the story about your life, just as you are, or the life you really want to lead. This can be super fun, cause maybe you’ll even portray yourself as a super hero! Be as general as you’d like at the beginning, but then go back, and tighten things up a bit. Make it as real, and  authentic as possible, after all, you are telling YOUR story. Don’t get wrapped up in details, grammar, and rights and wrongs, just have fun with it. This exercise is designed to let your inner god or goddess come out, and nobody is going to judge you. Now get that Mont Blanc in hand, and begin: “Once upon a time…” Oh, and by all means, don’t forget: “the end”!