One of the most challenging aspects combat vets face when coming home is the gap between who they are now and who their loved ones expect them to be. Warriors say that you can't translate much of what they've been through, because there is no substitute for being there. And there is deep truth in … Continue reading Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 1
Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 2
If you haven't read Part 1, please do. This is part of a discussion designed to help combat vets help others understand them better. If this article resonates with you, pass it along to a loved one. Here is what I hear from vets and what they are often unable to share with others: 1.) … Continue reading Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 2
When You Don’t Have Answers
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to know where we are in life, to have answers, to see a clear path and walk on it. Society holds that expectation over us. If you're an adult, it's pretty much a given that you're supposed to be in control of your life, right? You're supposed … Continue reading When You Don’t Have Answers
Your War is Not My War | It’s All of Ours
Former U.S. Air Force drone operator Brandon Bryant gave an interview to NBC that stirred visceral reactions. In the interview, he discusses the spiritual and psychological effects he's felt from having participated in more than 1,600 killings. I'm not going to get into the whole drone debate - nor am I going to get into … Continue reading Your War is Not My War | It’s All of Ours
The Physically Wounded: Who Are You Now?
Losing a part of your body or function involves deep physical, spiritual, and emotional pain. The war is carried in your body and sometimes just looking at yourself in the mirror takes you right back to the trauma. There are days and nights of endless time, uncertainty, faith, fear, and somewhere deep—a gritty unwillingness to … Continue reading The Physically Wounded: Who Are You Now?
The Purpose of War
Sooner or later you are going to start wondering just what the real purpose of the war is and was. Everyone will have an opinion, but no one will have an answer. The war, for you, will be what you decide it will be. Your role and experiences will determine the meaning you assign to … Continue reading The Purpose of War
Questions Vets May Wonder About After War
Trevor sat down in the lunchroom with his colleagues. He’d been back at his civilian job for the last three months. Things were okay. Not great, but okay. It’d taken a while to get used to the routine and some of the policies at his company had changed in the fifteen months he’d been deployed. … Continue reading Questions Vets May Wonder About After War
How to Shift Your Thoughts to Change Your Life
We are often unaware of how powerful our thoughts can be. We feel something, get in a mood, dwell on a thought that creates negative emotions and don't know how to get ourselves out of it. We aren't taught growing up that thoughts are actually what create our emotions, drive our beliefs and determine how … Continue reading How to Shift Your Thoughts to Change Your Life
Why Veterans Need to be Allowed to Grieve
The cost of war to the human spirit can be summed up with one word: loss. The loss of sanctity of life, boundaries, safety, control. The loss of relationship - with ourselves, others, loved ones, our jobs, who we used to be, the future we planned. Loss holds the wounds of war in its hand. … Continue reading Why Veterans Need to be Allowed to Grieve
Your Independence Day
Independence Day. The day the United States celebrates her declaration of freedom. Make this your personal Independence Day. What do you need to be free of? What's holding you back? What can you let go of? Or even just decide to let go of? Freedom comes step by step. And it starts with an intention, … Continue reading Your Independence Day
Families & Vets: Talking About War
How do you talk about war? For war survivors and loving families, knowing what to say or how to say it can be overwhelming. Do you talk about the war? Do you ask what it was like? Isn’t it best if the vet shares all that stuff with you? Or should you just leave it … Continue reading Families & Vets: Talking About War
Veterans Going Back to Work After War – The Hidden Struggle
Most veterans and families after war focus on going right back to work. Financially, it's usually necessary. If you're a National Guard member, you've left behind a job or your own business that is most likely waiting for you. If you're like many vets, though, the economy and your absence has left you without a … Continue reading Veterans Going Back to Work After War – The Hidden Struggle