PTSD is crap. I don’t like the name or stigma related to it. PTG (Post Traumatic Growth) is what it is. That’s if you fully grasp the nature of it and CHOOSE to take the more positive path over the more dismal downward spiral.
Have you ever sifted sand? Sifting sand that will be used for building? In deep thought this morning reflecting on some of my own past and thinking about a friend who is struggling right now. The thought of sifting sand came into my mind. When we do things that make us feel shame and guilt, …
Continue reading "Sifting Sand In Ecuador. A Lesson Learned."
In 2015 my oldest son and I went on our first “Mission Trip”. I was hesitant and was convinced that this wasn’t my thing. The trip was to Guatemala to help do some work at an orphanage outside of a small town. I really had no idea what I was getting into or what to …
Continue reading "Mission Trips. What Are They and Who Are They For?"
You may, or may not, have read my previous article about playing golf. It’s been great for me and what’s funny is I’ve been able to cross over some of my Army veteran experience into the world of golf. I’m a gear dork and have always appreciated the latest and greatest gear that can improve …
What I’m about to pound out on this keyboard may come as a bit of surprise to some. Others? Not so much. I’ve thought about this quite a bit lately and chuckle to myself every time I think about it. Especially because of my opinions about it in the past. Since 2017 I’ve worked with …
The past week has been a challenge. I really feel the pendulum swing in my emotions. I’ve been trained for this, though. I’ve had these feelings bottling up inside of me over the last few days and have shared and listened to buddies who share the same feelings. It’s just tough. So, I’m gonna just …
The following was written by my son. At the age of 21 he is starting his academic career at a local college. He was tasked with writing an essay. The words written below are his words. As his father, I was not expecting what I read. I told him that someone out there in the …
People respond best when they receive positive talk. A person feels shame, guilt, regret, sadness, fear, loneliness and physically weak when people who they love and admire most, who’ve they’ve made themselves vulnerable to, speak negative to them. It’s the ultimate way to crush someone’s spirit. On the contrary, speaking positive words to someone charges …
I recently saw an article in the Army Times about the Army putting the Kibosh on the “Shark Attack” style of soldiering for Basic Training recruits. The premise, or bottom line, is that it’s just mean and that there are better ways, more constructive ways to motivate soldiers and prepare them for battle. Interesting. Most …
Continue reading "“Draft-era ‘shark attacks’ on Army infantry recruits are over”. The rebuttle."
Viktor Frankl is my favorite author when it relates to choice, attitude, struggle. In a very small nutshell, he survived 4 concentration/death camps in 3 years during WWII. He lost everything. He lost his job, home, identity, wife, parents and purpose. He regained one of those things, however. His purpose. He found that his purpose …
There are certain movies out there that depict the lifecycle of a Sage. As I’m working through this book, I am having small epiphanies and recollections of experiences I’ve had and experiences to come. At Warrior PATHH we talk of the 3 primary emotions. Those being joy, fear and sadness. Many will argue that there …
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