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
What Veterans Can Do With Guilt, Shame After War
You're not supposed to talk about it. It's the underside of war that stays hidden deep inside. The unspeakable part of duty. The things you had to do to survive, the things you saw others do, the transgressions against humanity. No one wants to talk about guilt or shame. (Also called "moral injury".) But the … Continue reading What Veterans Can Do With Guilt, Shame After War
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
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
Veterans, Sound Familiar? “Too Tired? What? Come on, You’re Fine!”
Whether or not you were physically wounded in battle, you are wounded. Deeply. And your wounds are real. It may take some time for you to become aware of it. In fact, war wounds are often buried deep inside. That’s where that inner sense of being shattered comes from. That’s why the fear exists that … Continue reading Veterans, Sound Familiar? “Too Tired? What? Come on, You’re Fine!”
Spirit Wounds
War hurts the human spirit. That's why you can be physically whole and unharmed and still feel pain over your experience. Or you may simply feel that something just isn't right. You can't quite pinpoint it. And you may tell yourself that you've come away (gratefully) unscathed. But you haven't. War - no matter how … Continue reading Spirit Wounds