Are you an active duty soldier in your country or work with them? If so, this blog is intended for you. The intensity of war, violence and suffering is exemplified in the memories of those closest to the front lines. There is evidence that soldiers hearing about conflict and suffering within brigades, platoons, and conversations within their work community can bring about feelings of sadness, depression and hopelessness through vicarious stress back home to their families. The more research that is being conducted globally, the more we are able to make positive changes within our communities to protect the lives of those serving on the front lines and their families.
In this blog you will read about what science says, some personal and professional experiences around depression and soldiers, and some of it might trigger your PTSD if you have recently gone through trauma. I always write with the intention to help empower you to move towards your own happiness, however we are all on our own journeys in life and healing. With everything going on in the world, make the executive decision over your mind if today is the right time to read this blog or if you’d like someone to read it and give you the hi-lights. I try my best to keep the heavy subject light with some fun GIPHYs. If you find any value, I’d be honored if you’d share it with those you most care about.
#1 Way: 💃🏽 🏃♀️ 🤸♀️ 🧘♀️ 🙏 💪🏼 Know what depression looks like for soldiers⠀
⠀
Depression in military families looks more severe than in civilian families.
According to this Healthline article, up to 14% of soldiers experience depression after deployment and 19% experience a traumatic brain injury during combat which can directly cause brain damage and trigger depressive episodes. ⠀
⠀⠀
I interviewed Tawnya Bouma, CEO of Non-profit founder For The Good Inc on the Move Happy Movement Podcast©️. She is the spouse of a medically Retired Veteran. She speaks about some tough things she has experienced as well as the tough reality of lack of treatment her husband received that turned into much larger issues for their family. She started her company to help other Military Families in the US and beyond be educated, receive the right kinds of resources to help with PTSD and suicide prevention. After listening to her episode, please give her a thank you review and something you learned from her story that you’ll be applying in your life. That’ll notify me that you want her back for a 2.0 version.
⠀
I’d love it if you’d screenshot the title of this blog and Tweet us your wisdom/insights @MoveHappyTeam.
#2 Way: 💃🏽 🏃♀️ 🤸♀️ 🧘♀️ 🙏 💪🏼 Know What are some signs and symptoms for depression in soldiers.
⠀
Some signs and symptoms of depression in soldiers include: irritability, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, fatigue or lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-hate, social isolation, a loss of interest in activities and hobbies that used to be pleasurable, sleeping too much or too little, dramatic changes in appetite along with corresponding weight gain or loss, suicidal thoughts or behaviors. ⠀
⠀
In more severe cases of depression, someone may also experience psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations. This is a very dangerous condition and requires immediate intervention by a mental health professional. For more info check out this article its an emergency, call 911.⠀
⠀
I’d love for your insights and supportive resources in your respective countries (including flag emoji if available) in the comments below ⬇️⬇️⬇️⠀
⠀
Let’s see how many countries we can get represented 💜🌎 ⠀
⠀
PS: check out the podcast episode where I interview JC and Brandi Chacon, husband and wife duo serving overseas 🇺🇸 they dive deep into what PTSD looked like from the soldiers perspective & spouse. They’re a family of 6 with spectacular perspective and they do get vulnerable so please write a thank you review on iTunes acknowledging you listened and appreciate their time here.
Those of you with wisdom and experience that have ideas churning after reading this section, I’d be honored if you’d take a screenshot of the blog title and share it on your Instagram and tag us @TheRealMoveHappy. We’ll share your post and give you writer’s credit.
#3 Way: 💃🏽 🏃♀️ 🤸♀️ 🧘♀️ 🦸🏾♀️ 🦸♂️ Know What the global prevalence of depression for soldiers.
⠀
The global prevalence of depression in soldiers information is not clearly laid out on a simple google search. It is separated by the geo tagging of the country you’re searching in, at least what I could find. ⠀
⠀
If you’re in another country outside of the USA and can find the specific stat for global depression of all soldiers, please include in link and tag us on your social media!⠀
⠀
In the meantime, I found a great article from Uniformed Services University describing the differences in female and male soldiers and what to look for in regards to depression.
⠀
Another great resource is Tawnya Bouma, For The Good, Inc. Founder; a PTSD and Suicide prevention business for soldiers. You can follow with her on LinkedIn as she posts great content on PTSD, military families, and medical info as she’s a nurse. ⠀
⠀
I’d love to hear how YOU are keeping your stress level in balance if you’re a soldier so all my followers that are also soldiers can learn from YOU! ❤️😊. Take a screenshot of this blog title and post a few sentences on your LinkedIn sharing your wisdom and advice. Tag me using the @ErinNicole in the comments and it should pop up my profile. If it gives you any issues, feel free to tag me in the comments section with this link here. I’ll make sure to share your post and give you writer’s credit for your ideas.⠀
⠀
#4 Way: 💃🏽 🏃♀️ 🤸♀️ 🧘♀️ 🙏 🦸🏾♀️ 🦸♂️ Know What causes depression in soldiers.
⠀⠀
A variety of factors and variables come into play in regards to the causes of any condition. Death, destruction, violence, unpredictable chaos to name a few can certainly exacerbate the likeliness of someone with a predisposition to depression. In simple terms, if you have the DNA coding of depression, a physical environment of sadness, no direction or hope for your future, chances are, you’re more likely to experience depression than someone who has hope for their future, does not have the genes of depression in their family lineage and ability to compartmentalize situational stress.⠀
⠀
When I worked with the US Army and US Air Force, I volunteered at a spouses resource event. The booth next to ours was the Chaplain. He had 100s of stacks of the book called the 5 love languages. ⠀
⠀
The Chaplain said the spouse and the soldier would read it and they’d check in weekly with each other. It gave soldiers something positive to talk about on those calls instead of the death they were witnessing. ⠀❤️❤️❤️
Recently, I had the honor of interviewing Lt. Col Dave Grossman of the US Army on my podcast. He and his co-author, Adam Davis, wrote a devotional called Bulletproof Marriage, a 90-day devotional. I just bought my copy and am a part of the private Facebook Group Adam Davis facilitates.
I’m not engaged or married, but being divorced and engaged way too quickly afterwards to a violent Medically Retired Veteran, I will not repeat my patterns. I’m excited to read and participate in this community of Veteran Spouses because they are the most resilient Spouses in empirical literature. I’m grateful one of my LinkedIn connections tagged me in Lt. Col Grossman’s post about wanting to get on podcasts and share his knowledge. Had he not posted it, I wouldn’t have had him on the show and I wouldn’t have heard about their book. We’re all doing our part to give of our best to the world. Make sure to connect with him on LinkedIn here and Adam (co-author) here.
⠀
What are some ways you deal with your depression that are healthy and constructive? Let’s learn from one another my soldier friends! Please take a screenshot of the blog title and share it on your TikTok as a slideshow (minimum of 2 images required) and tag us @TheRealMoveHappy. Include what country you’re from as there are soldiers all over the world (emoji included if available 😊)⠀in the comments and we’ll share it and give you writer’s credit.
⠀
Move Happy Updates:
The Move Happy Movement Podcast© is in full swing! Together we are bringing awareness to mental health, providing practical strategies to empower those with depressed states to move towards their own happiness and inspiring the joy of movement! Tomorrow I’ll be releasing episode 47 with Chris Jackson. He has been managing investments, creating custom portfolios, & delivering Financial Planning for the past 18+ years. Here is a big from his bio “Our truNorth team works with clients in 14 states; including retirees, individuals, couples, business owners, High-Net-Worth, as well as foundations & endowments. I graduated with honors from Shippensburg University with a BSBA in Accounting. I began my investment career in Wealth Management in 2001, being promoted to be the Portfolio Manager (CIO / Senior PM) 12 months later.” You’ll love the episode! He not only is great in business, he encouraged ME with my charity event even before I shared it publicly and bought the first ticket. Make sure to tune in tomorrow by 6p EST for official release. Once its out, go to iTunes and give him a thank you in the reviews so he knows we want him to come back for a 2.0 version!
Follow the Move Happy Movement Podcast wherever you listen (iTunes and Spotify) and Tweet us @MoveHappyTeam if you’d like it on a different platform. Once we have 10,000 listeners we’ll be offering a sweet giveaway! A private concert by me and my cool singer 🎶 friends! (Check my TikTok for examples of my genre preference). You must be one of the monthly listeners to qualify and be active in commenting/liking/sharing/tweeting Move Happy®️ content on any and all social media platforms (and leaving iTunes reviews 😉😉😉). The more platforms you follow us, the easier it will be for us to remember your name when deciding on random giveaways 😘. We’ll keep things updated from the distribution website below ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The World Health Organization estimates that $1 trillion dollars is lost annually due to lack of productivity from employees specifically diagnosed with depression and anxiety and not receiving adequate resources from their workplace. I designed a solution to help decrease this statistic. “Work Happy: The Practical Tools For Effective and Inclusive Workplaces©” is in beta. Employees will benefit from this because the workshop is designed with you as the main focus in a positive manner. Employers will benefit from this because people that are cared for work harder and take less sick days, thus increasing your bottom line 💰. The workshop includes a follow up refresher (2 days total). It starts at $1,997 for online training for a company of 5 total employees. Have more employees? We can discuss pricing. Next 2 businesses/EAPs to sign up get prioritized scheduling. Email me “Work Happy Workshop Interest” here to set up your Work Happy Analysis©️.
#5 Way: 💃🏽 🏃♀️ 🤸♀️ 🧘♀️ 🙏 🦸🏾♀️ 🦸♂️ How can Move Happy® help soldiers struggling with depression? ⠀
⠀
I designed a 16-week program in the most sensitive population one could work in; a locked psychiatric hospital for adult patients. Many of my patients were retired veterans. One in particular lost his wife to cancer. We’ll call him “Bob”⠀
⠀
Bob told me after participating in my program round 1 & round 3, “Erin you WILL be sharing this with other hospitals and I WILL be seeing you on TV. Do you have any questions?” ⠀
⠀
It’s hard to say no to that. ⠀
⠀
He dealt with his own depression from war times. He was mid 50s so you can time it to what kinds of wars he was a part of in the US Marines. He encouraged me to share it and kept encouraging me. And when I say encourage, I mean he took a fatherly role energy and put himself on repeat anytime I saw him in the hallways, in front of other staff, and when I got a promotion and wasn’t in the active treatment center full-time, he made it especially important to speak to me if we both were outside during his 2x/day fresh air breaks. He’d kindly interrupt my session with some of my 1:1 patients, to edify me 😊. #Grateful
⠀
I finally told him when I had heard him repeat himself enough, “I just don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I think you’re trying to be nice to me and I appreciate it.” ⠀
I’ll give you the background of what was going on in my personal life at the same time I worked at the hospital. I got engaged 5 weeks after my father passed away. WAY too soon🤮. I moved in with him (not wanting to but couldn’t think of other options in my crisis). My divorce costs and income coming in exceeded the money needed for rent and couldn’t see another option other than a shelter. BIG Mistake. I’ll never do that again. My then fiancé, we’ll call “Anthony” had a 2 bedroom condo and didn’t really want me to move in. He offered, but it was one of those things where he shouldn’t have even offered it because I was required to get rid of my belongings. I started donating all my things to co-workers, my boss, neighbors, everyone. It was a flash sale only I was giving my things away so that I didn’t disrupt his space. #HarshLessonLearned
Once I moved in and we started getting into a rhythm, he didn’t like the way I washed dishes. He didn’t like that I wanted to vacuum to keep the dust down (I have asthma and dust is one of my triggers). He didn’t like how happy I was working a full-time job and doing my side hustle direct sales business and going to trainings with happy positive people. He didn’t like me volunteering with my lil sis and spending any of my free time away from him. Anthony started to allow jealousy to creep in.
His daughter, we’ll call “Jessica” came every other weekend. One weekend she came over and I always gave him his space with his daughter because it was very limited time. I needed to get my car tuned up and told him I’d love a ride but understood if he wanted to go out with his daughter I’d walk home. No big deal. I enjoy walking.
I woke up early Saturday morning and it was a bright sunny day. I took my car to the oil change place and walked home. I get in the door and Anthony says, “where have you been? Are you having an affair?”
Um…. WHAT?!
I reminded him, “no I took my car to the shop and just walked home. Remember we talked about this last night?”
Anthony says “we didn’t talk about anything. Theres no way you could be this happy all the time with everything going on in your life. Who have you been talking to?”
At this point I’m getting pissed because honesty and integrity are my core values. I can’t even watch a movie with infidelity in it. It makes my gut wrench.🤮
I take my ring off and with serious intention place it on the kitchen counter and say, “I’m going to need to cool down.”
At that point, Anthony lunges towards me, anger in his eyes, and I’m running backwards in the living room and trip over some of his belongings and table screaming “JESSICA IS IN THE OTHER ROOM!”
At that point, Anthony snapped back to reality and quickly apologizes to me trying to hug me and comfort me. He knew he fucked up, pardon my French. My heart is racing and he’s trying to pretend nothing happened. I knew I needed to get out but didn’t have the money to move out nor the credit with my divorce expenses. I just didn’t know how yet but started praying hard.
I told him we were good I just needed to walk to cool down my heart and asthma. I wasn’t okay, but needed to get the hell out of there and process my plan of escape. He agreed to letting me take a cool down walk. Then within 5 minutes of me walking out of the house, he had packed all my belongings and told me they were in the middle of the house and he wanted me gone when I got back. #SuckerPunch
My eldest bro had come with his then fiancé and they helped me grab my belongings. Mom was so kind to let me stay with her for a bit along with my eldest bro and his 3 boys and his fiancé. It wasn’t ideal since there was 7 people living there (including me) with 1 shower but I was grateful for a somewhat safe living space.
Everyone in my family and even co-workers was telling me we’d get back together and that we’d sort it out. I didn’t tell anyone about what he had done or how he made me feel. I felt like he was going to kill me if his daughter hadn’t been in the other room. He had a rifle that wasn’t in a case with bullets in it. I found out a few weeks after the incident when we tried to sort things out. I was so embarrassed that I allowed myself to be in that situation. I was so down on my luck and creating low vibrational energy that I take full responsibility for creating the situation to be possible in the first place. I’ll NEVER be broke again.
I prayed and prayed and got the courage to reach out to his ex-wife, mother of Jessica, we’ll call “Pam”. I called her during my lunch break at work in the privacy of my office. I asked her some serious hard questions because I needed to know if the reason for their divorce was feelings like I had. I told her about the incident of me taking the ring off and she said, “I used to do that to him all the time. He probably had a flashback to our relationship. I’m so sorry Erin, he really is a nice guy and he’s changed for the better with you around.”
She was being nice with her answers because she didn’t want her daughter to lose out on me. I loved Jessica and still pray about her all the time. I finally got the courage to ask Pam, “did you leave him because you didn’t feel safe around him?” Pam acknowledged what I said and told me from his car accident at 18 yrs and the lack of familial support in his upraising he seemed to get worse and worse. She said further, “it sounds like it isn’t any better 10 years later even though he’s been to therapy. I’d hate to have Jessica lose a connection to you because of this one incident but you have to do what you feel is best for your safety.”
I had made up my mind, he hadn’t changed in 10 years and no one would change permanently for another person. That behavior change has to be elicited from within. I knew I needed to escape but was still figuring out how. I had lots of prayer.
Back to the psych hospital professional life…
I did everything in my power to get the Psych Associate promotion at the psychiatric hospital because it was $1000 more a month and enough for me to get my own place and find safety. I started adding value and started providing 1:1 therapy under the direction and supervision of Dr. Hill.
Even though I don’t have a license in psychotherapy, I have a MS in Exercise and Sport Psychology and had 12 years of group teaching experience and experience working with the US Army and Air Force as a health educator for Active Duty Soldiers, Spouses and Retired Veterans. I explained to him it would benefit me to have 1:1 experience with the patients and it would benefit him because I knew how heavy his plate was for responsibilities.
Dr. Hill was so grateful I offered. The way I was able to offer added value was to get really fast and effective at my current responsibilities and learn how to chart notes fast and keep things current on a daily basis. Then the final hour of work be able to devote to working with patients that needed extra 1:1 time. Dr. Hill agreed and provided me with 2 patients to provide 1x/week 30 minute therapeutic treatment in positive psychology, walking therapy and music therapy (through my years of paid professional music experiences). He and I also would check in weekly to keep communication for his charting needs.
Because I added value in 1:1 therapy (essentially creating a role for myself), and applied for a job that over 100+ applicants had applied to, I was 1 of 17 selected to be interviewed when a Psych Associate position became available. Their final decision to choose me and a licensed therapist for the final round of interviews was because I was already providing the Psych Associate responsibilities to two patients on that ward. The gal I was competing with for the promotion did not have any actual experience as she had just graduated. I knew all the patient names, they all loved me and my Move Happy Facilitator Program©️ and told the head of the psychology department they wanted me to be the new Psych Associate. I was offered the promotion 💃💃💃💃. This was my ticket to safety. God was answering my prayers.
However, as many abuse victims cycle back to their abuser, I embarrassingly did 😩. My eldest nephew was choosing to behave in unpredictable, illegal ways and I didn’t feel like my belongings were safe in my mother’s home. It also was the same home where I was abused from ages 3-5 and brought up PTSD within myself that I had to leave for my own mental stability.
Embarrassingly, I had moved back in with my fiancé. This new promotion however, was going to help me get my own place and do a reset on our relationship in the right spiritual order. At least that was what I had planned. “Anthony” and I agreed we’d get couples therapy to prepare for marriage and I agreed to get my own 1:1 therapy after my mom’s best friend Rebecca had passed away 8 months after dad passed. Looking back, I don’t know how I survived this time other than by God’s grace….
5 therapists refused to see us as a couple including his own therapist who had originally scheduled an appointment with us and canceled the same day of the appointment. That was a huge red flag to me. My colleague and co-facilitator of Move Happy Facilitator Program©️ helped us find someone that would provide us couple’s therapy and I found a therapist for my own 1:1 time after my manager had suggested I do.
I returned from my vacation and received notice that Washington State had not passed the bill for mental health and unfortunately 60 people lost their jobs and the highly volatile hall was shut down. I lost my promotion and had to return to my original role. I was counting on the promotion to help me escape a violent relationship. I lost it. 😩
Sue, my manager in the treatment mall came and talked to me. “Erin I noticed a change in you. You’re not your normal joyful self. Are you doing okay?” I told her that I didn’t feel safe in my own home and was counting on the promotion to help me move out. Sue repeated my words, “Erin if you’re not feeling safe, you need to figure out a way to move out of your home. I encourage you to talk to EAP services and you can take time off of work that will be paid to figure out some options. When my neighbor was murdered this past week it really shook me up. I signed up and am seeing a therapist once a week. I’m here if you need to talk anytime.”
I’m grateful for that conversation with Sue. She listened to me, gave me a hug and told me that I brought so much joy to the team and that I deserve to be happy and feel safe. I was good at creating joy and love for others but had a hard time receiving it back. I’m so grateful I talked to my manager about my personal issues because it was now effecting my ability to get to work on time and concentrate in my daily responsibilities.
Meanwhile, everyone including staff and my patients heard that I lost my promotion and wanted to cheer me up so they asked about how my wedding plans were going🤮. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I literally was so embarrassed at the choices I had made and the fact that it was all from my doing.
Yet, here was my cheerleader patient, former US Marine continuing to encourage me to focus on my Move Happy Facilitator Program©️. He knew somehow that I was going through some difficulty. I told him I’d be leaving the hospital soon because I needed to make more money. He understood and told me,
⠀
“Erin, I don’t have time to bullshit you or anyone at this hospital. I’m ready to get out of here and you’re one of the only staff members that has shown me the courtesy of being an authentic human being. You’re one of a small handful of staff that I am grateful for and you NEED to share your program. I know you don’t see it yet, but I see it within you. I saw the program the first time and I’ve watched you revise it from our feedback. I’ve also listened to the patients after hours and everyone is talking about it. Erin we love it and we are so proud of you getting that promotion. Even though the budget got cut and you had to come back here to your original role. I know I’ll be seeing you on TV one day. Don’t give up. I believe in you. You deserve so much better than this job. I know how much they pay the staff here and as a former executive in charge of over 150+ staff, I see you running large organizations and being the the next Oprah or Ellen. Keep going.” ⠀
⠀
Leaving the hospital & patients like this was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. When my life was in danger, I had to make a decision to find safe haven. ⠀
⠀⠀
Once I got into my own place I started the process of trademarking the brand and copyrighting my materials. I couldn’t afford to hire a lawyer for the trademark info so I did the research myself, saved up the money and with the help from my mom for rent for a couple months, and a property manager that bent the rules on letting me move in (my credit was shit from my divorce and Ch7 filing, and this was the 13th place I tried to move into), I prayed that the $350 I submitted to the USPTO and paperwork was done correctly. I didn’t have the money to submit it again. The timing of my business launching could not wait any longer. I had to wait to hear back from the USPTO 6 months, have another 6 months where someone could contest my logo and trademark for a total of 12 months of waiting that I hoped I did it correctly….
Simultaneously, I worked in outside sales and would have stayed but my family member was in crisis and needed family support. I took a $10,000/yr pay cut to work remotely, packed my belongings and flew on a Saturday to Nashville, TN so I wouldn’t miss a day of work.
To me, there was no question about my values. 1) Faith, 2) Family, 3) Business. I lived without a car for 4 months working from home because my expenses exceeded my income and I couldn’t justify the added expense of a vehicle and car insurance. My family member didn’t tell me about extra costs in the home because they couldn’t see past their own crisis. We had some frustrating conversations, and I cried a lot alone in my bedroom without any social support around me because he was caught up in a new romantic relationship and I was new in town. I wondered why in the hell did I move across the US for again? I got over my frustrations and knew I couldn’t change his attitude, but I could change my own actions and make more money to cover the unexpected extra costs that ensued.
After 5 Lyft drives to the Department of Licensing, I finally was able to get my driver’s license with correct paperwork and proper identification😂. I couldn’t apply for a business license without a Driver’s License in TN. Without a Driver’s License, I couldn’t get a car. I received no help in transportation from my family member because they had their vehicle registered in their ex-wife’s name and she refused to allow me to use her vehicle. I’m grateful for Lyft through that tough time. The DMV people knew me by first name and were now interested in my Move Happy Facilitator Program©️ being offered to First Responders ❤️#EverythingIsAnOpportunity. I made a joke about it the final trip there and the head officer there, Officer Honeycutt said, “do you offer this to first responders? I know many officers that need to be happier and lose weight.” We’ll get there sir, not yet, but thank you for validation on what I am doing 💃
I decided I’d start driving for Uber and Lyft outside of my full time job (40hours a week), in addition to working 30 hours a week growing my Move Happy®️ brand online. You do what you have to do when enough people tell you that you made a difference in their life. You have to keep going and keep focused on your vision of the future that no one else understands.
Within 4 months of taking my business seriously, Facebook was so impressed, Candace reached out to interview me for an opportunity to speak on stage and help other business owners grow their brands online. I had to do it after work hours for my day job and Mary covered for Candace but here is proof of the invite below ⬇️. Mary was so impressed with my story she provided me a communication chat link to expedite support from the team.
I now spend about 4-6hrs/week and tripled my production of content adding this weekly blog and a weekly podcast with a 6-month waitlist. I teach my system in an hour Social Media University Intensive workshop when enough interest is emailed to me (max of 8).
To be a part of the Social Media University Intensive, it is limited to 8 people first come first serve. I invite all business owners to join, however my favorite people to work with are clear on their vision, give back locally or globally to charities with their revenue, and struggle with their content.
To sign up for the Social Media University Intensive workshop, go email me subject heading “SMUI Interest Blog Discount” and your best days/times including time zone. The next 2 people that email me will get an additional PDF outline with current best practices and recommendations to other top level leaders in the industry (a $35 additional value). I do reserve the right to refuse service to anyone not in alignment with my brand (i.e. disrespecting my team members, taker mentality, abusive/negative content on your social media, asking for free tickets for their friends, etc).
If you work in a group therapy setting and want to order the Move Happy Facilitator Program that I designed for my patients, go here. 30 percent of all profits goes back to a mental health charity of YOUR choice and 10 percent of all profits goes back to YOUR local chapter of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Since I’m new to this biz thing, help keep me organized by emailing me a copy of your receipt and link to the charities of YOUR choosing here. I will be raising the rates of the MHFP©️ May 1st so make sure to check it out and order it before the price jumps from $149 to $997 as was suggested by multiple medical professionals in mental health.
If you’ve ordered the program, I’d love for you to take a screenshot of the blog and write a few sentences of how you’re using the MHFP©️, including the age of your group, the way you’re keeping social distance during this COVID pandemic, and any questions you have to make the program even better. Email us your insights and the best questions and insights/wisdom will be shared on our social media and provide YOU with writer’s credit. Remember to keep patient names private per HIPPA regulations.
⠀
There you have it folks. There is hope for our Soldiers and their Spouses. Soldiers and Spouses are some of the most resilient people in the world. No matter which country you reside, or nationality you claim as your own, or religion or creed you most identify with; we are all connected and effected by the current world events. The Sheepdogs, as Lt. Col Grossman & Adam Davis identifies it in the introduction of their 90-day devotional, are the most directly effected.
It is our duty as human beings to choose compassion towards others because no one knows if the person we’re communicating with is a spouse to a Soldier or to a First Responder at first introductions. No one knows what another person is going through personally at first glance. None of my patients or staff knew that I was in a dangerous situation because I have had to be strong and resilient since I was 3 years old.
I held a strong fascad when I worked in the psychiatric hospital because for the most part, I chose to be happy. I had learned to accept my circumstances as my destiny and chose to spend time around positive people that dreamed bigger outside of my work hours through my side biz. I actually was blessed with the opportunity to interview the President of the multi-billion dollar wellness company on my podcast. Check it out here. When I finally decided that I deserved better and would rather be homeless than live with someone that might kill me because of their lack of emotional control when something upset them, that’s the moment that I chose to love myself enough.
I started to really listen to “Bob’s” advice and take my business seriously (once I could get to a safe home). I told Bob to keep a look out on TV and online because I’d be giving him credit with a fake name to protect his identity. I’m so grateful Bob helped me in my crisis more than he’ll ever know. Our Active Duty and Retired Veterans deserve the utmost respect. I’ll be spending all next week in gratitude for all Retired Veterans that have helped pave the way for people like me to have the freedom to speak about subjects I care most about.
Thank you Bob for saving my life and giving me a reason to hope for something greater when my world was crashing in on me.
PS: Don’t forget to tell someone you love them today
Recent Comments