We all play a role in this journey we call life. Every single one is just as important as the next. We are intrinsically interconnected.
Early humans’ support system for survival was their tribes. With certain developments, we have grown distant from that archetype. Some move to new towns and cities even countries, and face the harsh realities of the world without an established support system or safety net.
We are all carrying memories of warm, sad, joyful, painful, electric, shameful and unsettling moments.
By first acknowledging our tribal nature, it will allows to see that we are each other’s part of the same tribe and as such it is our responsibility to look after, uplift and build each other up.
Every day we experience anxiety and struggle with negative thoughts that we get tangled up playing over and over again - known as rumination.
Some of our brothers and sisters in uniform are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These fellow members of our human tribe face difficulties reintegrating to civilian life due to the lack of the strong tribal support from company/team members during deployment.
I invite you to be an active source of mindful support for friends, co-workers, and family members in uniform. If you do not know someone in the armed forces - volunteer for organizations such as Iraq and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion.
We have an innate responsibility to each other to create community within community.
Remind each other that we belong here and now. Every day. Practice kindness by being a vehicle of non-judgmental acceptance for our brothers and sisters in uniform experiencing difficult emotions.
Being a compassionate ear for someone experiencing PTSD could help them incorporate mindful practices in their every day lives. Acknowledging distressing internal experiences, seeing them with curiosity, and not getting caught up in rumination. This could prove beneficial for their psychological flexibility and equip them with a set of tools to improve outcomes when embarking on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) psychological treatments in place.
Practice love through acts of kindness. Sometimes we can help someone’s emotional regulation by giving him/her a hug and/or making eye contact while practicing active listening. Be attentive to the present moment. Fostering awareness of each other’s thoughts, emotions and physical symptoms allows for the process of healing make progress.
My question to you is this: Will you look away as the person next to you drowns or will you help him/her ride the waves?
#nonjudgmentallove #tribalnature #tappinglove #reducingptsd #bekindness #greenspaces #activelistening #emotionalregulation #communitywithincommunity
Catalyst. Mindful Nomad. Advocate. Pure Essence.
Henry is a social researcher, and fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish. He is a public relations veteran, creating magnetic, distinctive brand identities and building relationships for organizations and individuals. A multi-local globalized citizen. Get in touch if you are in need of innovative, thought provoking content.
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