dannevins
17 years ago today, I almost didn’t get to see my loved ones again. Two of my daughters almost didn’t exist… and one amazing man, SFC Mike Ottolini gave the ultimate sacrifice in the same explosion that took my legs and more.
If I could make a wish for this “Alive Day” – I wish that everyone would turn off their televisions (at least the news), put down their devices and go outside and commune with nature, each other and the self. Seriously. Like a lot…
The world seems crazier than ever, even with this latent sense of fragile normalcy that is oozing through the cracks of tension that is pervasive around the globe . My deepest longing is for people to just love each other. To focus on how we are the same versus our perceived differences.
I’ve been doing a lot of deep reflection and self study, through recent surgeries, illnesses, a very recent hospitalization and especially today. What I keep coming back to, is the only person I desire to change is me… and that change is for me to be willing to make the choices that bring me in alignment with my purpose. I’m alive today by the grace of God and the man I want to become stands in His truth in all ways and loves all people even if they think differently than I do. Period.
That said, I I’m not sure why I’m including this last bit, because no one is trying to hurt my family – everything I said above is true… but if someone tries to hurt my family… I am still a warrior and am totally trained and capable of unleashing violence at an epic level. I guess I’m just acknowledging that I have dimension… and what I’m really hoping is that it never happens and that love wins, always.
#AliveDay#reflections#alive#woundedwarriorproject
afghanistan anger anxiety awareness belonging break down burn out combat stress coping with ptsd dark night of the soul depression emotional empath empathy fear highly sensitive person homecoming hsp meditation mental health mental illness mindfulness paris attacks post traumatic stress disorders psychological ptsd PTSD AWARENESS ptsd recovery PTSD STORYTELLING resilience sebastian junger self care self discovery self love self worth shell shock social anxiety spiritual awakening stress disorders trauma tribe veterans vets war vets yoga