Good Morning Everyone.
I hope that you all have had a good week, and are preparing for an even stronger weekend.
Whether you are working this weekend, or you are off and going to be spending time with the family and friends, we hope that you do so with honor, strength and success.
Here at the Wounded Medic Foundation and Within Thin Lines, we believe Mental Health strength and conditioning is vital to our everyday success, on and off the job.
Sometimes, when we encounter stress, trauma, and hardships, we tend to find ourselves overloading our work lives in order to "escape" the challenges. This however, isn't successful or healthy. Although it might provide a quick, easy, and effortless way to not face the problems we've pushed aside. I encourage you all to try something new this week.
Whether small or large, shallow or deep, simple or complex, the first thing we need to do is address those stressors we've experienced during our week. Sit down in a safe space, with co-workers/friends, or surrounded by your favorite hobbies, pets, music, or any aspect that makes you who you are, and give yourself time to reflect on those stressors; What happened, how did it happen, how has it affected you, what you've noticed from it, and turn this moment into an opportunity. An opportunity to learn, train, and inspire your inner self to adapt, adjust and prepare for the stress to occur.
Once addressed, then go out and do something physical. Push yourself to go to the gym, go for a walk or hike, catch up with some old friends or family members, inspire those others who look up to you. Do something that the child version of you would look up to and be proud of you for.
For myself, I have learned to adopt a routine in my favorite environment: the woods. I have made it a priority to give myself that personal time and go for a hike at my local state parks, ad some weight to my weight vest and turn the hike into a ruck challenge. I push myself harder every single time. And when that obstacle is completed, I find myself sitting down in that peaceful environment and achieving a mental clarity, purification of toxins, and the hardships of my week.
This routine has now become a meet, where other local first responders and veterans are planning on joining me on my detoxification. This coming Sunday morning, eight other first responders and myself will be hiking around an awesome trail here in Illinois, Starved Rock State Park. If you're local, come join us. If you're not local, then join us virtually. Pack a bag of trail mix, water, and your favorite companionship to achieve this personal moment.
Tell us what you do for your mental clarity. Whats your favorite hobby? What helps you get mental strength and conditioning?
Once again, welcome to your foundations of success. It is an honor and privilege to have you all here with us.
We are here for you all, call/text/email/chat with us anytime.
"While Excellence is the Responsibility of those amongst these Thin Lines, the Discipline is Strengthened from Within."
Be safe,
-Vince
