Most days we go about our daily life on autopilot. Yet, there are moments where we benefit by pausing and paying attention to what is around us, allowing us to see ourselves as part of a collective society. This helps us to realize we are not alone in our struggles or triumphs, and that we need others around us. This is demonstrated in the Bible, Genesis 2:18: “The Lord G-d said, ‘it is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him’.” We need each other to help us manage our daily challenges and daily issues, while our spiritual or religious belief system helps provide hope and purpose in our life.
November is a good reminder for us to focus on what we are grateful for. In particular, this month we are grateful for our veterans, the people who chose to sacrifice their bodies, souls, and lives to protect the safeties and freedoms our country offers us. We are grateful for their families as well. While their families did not make that choice, they are still part of the participations and contribution to our society. We may not be aware of their daily challenges of the post trauma, fear, worries, or frustrations.
Working with veterans and living with one, I have the opportunity to have a glance of what they are dealing with daily, hourly, every moment of their lives. Being a witness of what they are dealing with is not easy. Standing next to them, seeing how some of them are managing with fireworks, a sudden noise, or even just watching a movie scene that takes them back to their trauma is not an easy thing to hold and to be with. Being next to their pain and not being able to do anything or to being able to help them is incredibly challenging, so imagine how hard it is for them to live with it every moment of their lives.
Moreover, as a society, we find it easy to always complain about where we are and how things are, this month try just to appreciate, demonstrate gratitude, and kindness to what an amazing country we live in. Yes, there’s always space for growth, yet we need time to cherish what we have. This could be our way to thank the veterans. So, find a way to have gratitude, kindness and give grace to them, their effort, and their contribution. That is the least we can do for them.
If you are a veteran, THANK YOU for your service! and thank yourself! Please make the effort to practice kindness toward yourself, you deserved it! Be aware of the language you are speaking to yourself; you will be amazed at the power it has on your brain and the impact it has on your behavior and your life. Our language derives from our way of thinking and through interaction with our surrounding. We learn to believe in it, that it is part of our truth, our identity. We live by it and we become it. When you are kind to yourself, you can be kind to others and to create a better future for you and your loved ones. This is what helps us feel worthy. To feel strong from within. Whatever you did or did not do, you deserve forgiveness, so starts from within you. You gave to others, now it is time to give to yourself. Yes, it is hard, but you have done harder things. Like everything in life, it requires practice. Just know, you are not alone, you do not need to struggle in silence. There is always someone who is there to listen.