Yosemite National Park overwhelms you. Driving up toward the south entrance on California Highway 41, I thought I would be ready for the experience. I had seen all the Ansel Adams pictures and rock climbing movies. Heck, my screen saver is an iconic shot of half dome! I thought I…
Category: 1. Mental Health, Resilience, and Personal Growth
I recently spoke in Oklahoma City to a variety of law enforcement and first responders from around Oklahoma. Putnam City Baptist Church was kind enough to host the event and we took advantage of their hospitality by packing the sanctuary. I wish more churches followed their example and got hands-on…
Depression will eat you up and steal your soul. You feel like you have done everything you can, that you’ve used all your energies, and still, you despair. Ultimately, I believe depression results when we feel like we have lost control of our lives and are hopeless to make a…
Semper Fidelis, or the more well-known shortened version, Semper Fi, latin for “always faithful”, is a well-known and well-used phrase usually directed towards the Marine Corps, but applicable to all those who serve. While especially meaningful to anyone who has worn the eagle, globe, and anchor, in regards to the…
The Problem A recent Cigna study shows how increasing loneliness in our society – they estimate nearly half of all Americans had feelings of loneliness and isolation – contributes greatly to poor mental and physical health. https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20180504/loneliness-rivals-obesity-smoking-as-health-risk Cigna reports loneliness increasing for a variety of factors including the rise of…
You can find your way! Few weekends of my year bring as many tears of joy and tears of sadness as does the Indiana Survivor Transition and Resilience Retreat (STARR) weekend for the families of fallen service men and women. I see old friends, make new ones, and get the…