I may not be healing fast physically, but mentally I am on the fast track. I took a little step back from my online activities this week. I might have made a post and a few comments, but nothing like I usually do. I wasn’t hanging out in Discord like I usually do either. This was to check and make sure that I was not growing dependent on my blogging or other online interactions in place of other offline social engagements.
I can say, although I missed some of my online interactions, it was not like I had withdraws or anything. There was no feeling of a need to pull away from my offline interactions and check my online messages or comments that had been left.
My climb out of the isolation hole is almost complete.
It is almost complete, because until I can drive again, and transport myself around without dependence on others, it will not be complete. For this to happen I must meet certain medical milestones, which I haven’t but slowly building to them and WILL get there.
Not being able to drive has probably been a real mental ass kicker for me. One, I am a grown ass man and should be able to drive myself. Two, I don’t like being dependent on other people.
But I have come to grips with not only my driving, but my other physical challenges recently. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, but it does mean I need to adapt and overcome. One thing this week of taking time away from the computer screen allowed me to do was think more about my mind and body situations.
There is a person here on Hive who reminds me a great deal of some of the folks I used to serve with in the Marines in his thought processes. He challenges me in both mind and body, whether he knows it or not. Lately, reading some of his posts and dialoging with him has motivated me into exercising the core leadership traits and principles I once lived and breathed by when I was a Marine.
To be a leader, one must lead themselves and set an example before they can expect to lead others. I have failed miserably in this area. Although I am no longer a leader of young Marines and Sailors, I am a leader of my family, and should be in my community in one fashion or another.
So, although I may not be the physical specimen I once was and I am fighting mental demons, there is a fire in me that still burns. I just didn’t know it. Now I must continue stoking that fire, building it up to a roaring monster once again.
It is that monster that adapts and overcomes. That monster will not allow setbacks like not being able to drive, stop him from getting shit done and enjoying life…again.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Note: Image source Canva.com
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