Vytas Stoskus
Bio
Social psychologist, psychotherapist, conflict mediator; organizational, cross-cultural, creativity, unschooling catalyst; authored 3 books. Heretic . . . . can’t differentiate between my work, play, & concern for justice. www.stoskus.net
Stories (14/0)
Cupid’s Persistence: A Valentine Story
Natalie, a young psychologist, comes back to Vilnius, Lithuania, having spent a year in India. Her job is gone; her old friends have moved on to other places, new lives. She can’t locate them, is jobless, & finds herself alone & lonely. Her parents are in another city. I live in Vilnius at the time, but Natalie & I do not know each other—yet.
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in Humans
Dissolving Evil Empire:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the USSR, was actually just a euphemism for "Russia" in a delusional attempt at self-justification because, to my knowledge, not one of the countries making up this so-called “Union” joined willingly. Enormous threats, purges, incarcerations, torture, deportations, & genocides were employed to bring everyone into this bogus "Union."
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in The Swamp
Clash in Values—How much is negotiable?
With the U$ poised on the brink of a civil war with Republicans & Democrats so polarized & tensions & uncertainly in the country igniting increasing chaos & violence, Republicans have been crying that Democrats refuse to date them. But when values so opposed to one another surface in relationships, major disputes generally arise, so is it safe to date someone of such different political views?
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in Families
Being Me
Being Unique & Always “the Other” Born in a refugee camp following WW2 to parents fleeing from Lithuania just ahead of Stalin's army, I have always been the outsider, the foreigner, the stranger. Till 18, I didn’t even qualify for the citizenship of any country. Truly an outsider.
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in Psyche
Global Suicide: Humanity, Especially in U$, Is Unfit to Survive
Humanity is not going to make it. We could if we wanted to . . . buuuuttt . . . we’re not willing to lift our butts long enough to pull it off. Unrestrained greed, self-interest, & little that resembles logic are the main factors driving human animosity towards others, whether they be one’s brother, neighbor, or distant international foe. Putting the emphasis on our differences rather than on our commonalities & mutual needs is a primary driver for sending us over the edge into the chaotic void we are witnessing.
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in The Swamp
Honoring Ukraine—Unintentionally
The recent Ukrainian war refugees arriving in Lithuania are getting a hero’s welcome. Lithuania, having suffered from Russian & Soviet occupations for long periods since 1795, is very supportive of Ukraine in its gallant resistance to the 2nd Russian invasion which started in February after an 8-year hiatus since they occupied Crimea in 2014.
By Vytas Stoskusabout a year ago in Humans
Delusional Horrors of Religions & Religionists
Western religions have come to us from a time when the favorite media was a burning bush communicating with wanderers whose brains had been baked in a middle eastern sun at a few settings too high for maintaining sanity. 2 especially overbaked were Abraham & Mohammed, one ready to kill his own son because some bush told him to & the other so confused about everything it’s the mystery of all time how he has amassed such a following. But I guess it should not be a mystery if a dork like Trump can likewise rise to an influential position in this day & age in what is supposed to be the most advanced nation on the planet in so many ways.
By Vytas Stoskus2 years ago in Humans
Slip Sliding, Sloshing, Flooding, Burning, Collapsing, & Blowing Away
Florida & California, having once been Meccas for vacationers, retirees, & long-term residents, have become hellish environments. Florida is a cesspool of various algal growths & trash-covered beaches caused by human pollution, along with the unstoppable increasing collapse into sinkholes of its honeycombed porous foundation.
By Vytas Stoskus2 years ago in Earth
65 Years of Community Building
When my straight-laced sister would visit after having run off & married her fiancé’s best friend & set up housekeeping with him & his family in neighboring Canada across the Great Lake Erie, her visits home were joyous occasions. Our apartment having only 2 bedrooms meant I’d end up on the couch while she, along with her husband & kids, would reoccupy her old bedroom, complete with all her old furniture, which included a double bed.
By Vytas Stoskus2 years ago in Families
Can Pandemic Violence Be Pacified?
How can so many not see it? Violence everywhere, whether expressed as racism, genocides, wars, school or mass shootings, police beatings, domestic abuse, bullying—if it’s acceptable in movies, games, & other “entertainment”, why shouldn’t it be acceptable in real life?
By Vytas Stoskus2 years ago in Humans
Surprise & Spontaneity of Street Psychology— One "Hello" at a Time
". . . & dreams keep doors ajar." ~ Jay Albrecht, attorney & poet Time alone does not heal all wounds; pain needs airing out, a shoulder to cry on, & a spark to light the way into a fresh perspective.
By Vytas Stoskus2 years ago in Humans