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As we move about in our lives from one obstacle to another, we often tell the same lie to our friends, family, and even ourselves: I’m fine. It may be an avoidance to get into a bigger conversation or maybe we don’t want to talk about personal matters with the person in front of us, but chances are we’re simply avoiding the truth: we’re not fine. We’re worried, we’re stressed, we’re confused, maybe we’re downright scared. Here’s something to consider: It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to ask for help.

Any first responder position is certain to be stressful at least sometimes. The job is about responding to emergencies, sometimes horrific traumas. Someone is having the worst day of their lives and you’re there to help. It could be a fire, an accident, a 911 call, or gunshots. Some first responders make a lifelong career of their jobs; others take an early retirement due to the stress. In 2018, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association) estimated that about 30% of first responders experienced PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), though that number is likely higher now.

When’s the last time you’ve been scared. Like truly afraid. A colleague of mine’s daughter was just diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, at 22 years old; is that fear? I heard a story today at church about a police deputy pulling his gun and shooting; is that fear? Adjusting to a fixed income that comes once a month instead of weekly, then needing to put tires on the car, fix a broken furnace, and repair a snowblower within the same month; is that fear? What does fear look like for you? Is it sharing a diagnosis of PMDD? Or maybe anxiety or depression? Is it failing at something you’ve been working toward?

So with the New Year right around the corner, I thought the most appropriate topic I could choose is GOAL…

Hello Everyone!!   I wanted to start this first blog by sharing the gratitude that I have for all of…