encouragement - Mission: Milspouse

Be Your Best

by Retired Blogger | Jul 15, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6

A few weeks ago, my friend suggested that I take the Enneagram Test. I was all for it, since I love taking personality tests, like Strength Finder 2.0, Myers-Briggs, The 5 Love Languages, etc.

After fifteen minutes of taking the test, I had my results. I am 95% a number 1, which means being a perfectionist or the “good girl.” Honestly, I did not like my results, especially since the reason I am the way I am is mostly based on my childhood and trying to be the good girl.

My friend tried to explain to me that this is the reason why I am doing the things I am. For example, being a people pleaser (I am slowly learning to stand up for what is right and that it is OK not to please everyone).

He Still Gives Me Butterflies

by Retired Blogger | Jul 11, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Relationships

At the end of last month, my husband and I happily celebrated our 11th anniversary together with a long weekend away.

Yup, even with four small children at home, we find ways to make time for each other to keep our friendship and relationship strong. The moments we get to sneak away are not nearly as frequent as they used to be, but I cherish each one. From random nights we stay up after the kids have gone to bed to play cards, or when I decide to take an interest in one of his newest hobbies to watch the excited child inside of him show between the cracks of daily life.

Start Somewhere, and Keep Going

by George Banker | Jul 10, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Health & Fitness

While many of us continue to adjust to COVID-19, it does not mean that we have to stop doing any form of exercise. We know how to adapt and change because that is what we have been doing all our lives, so why stop now?

Joe Lugiano is a lifelong friend and coach who has gotten me across many finish lines. His style has been to set me up so I will push myself to a desired goal. The goal was not always achieved, but it was not for a lack of trying.

The takeaway is the concepts and for each of you to find what works for you. Maybe running is not for you, but you have to start with something. How could you have grown up without running?

Developing a Battle Rhythm to Manage Conflict

by Sara Jane Arnett | Jul 4, 2020 | Blog, Career & Education, Experience

love training. I love receiving new information and analyzing how and where to apply this newfound skill set. I’m a life-long learner and thoroughly enjoy facilitating training. One training that I particularly enjoy facilitating is Conflict Management. Leaders with communication skills such as facilitation, mentorship, and resolution are more likely to engage and thrive in managing conflict in their workplaces and at home.

Disagreement and challenge are inevetible and can result in conflict. However, conflict presents advantages of communication growth within organizations; individuals within organizations are shaped by their own values, beliefs, work ethic, perceptions, and behaviors. Possessing and exercising the skills and mindset in order to engage is crucial to conflict management. On the other hand, shying away from conflict allows issues to fester, which can affect the integrity of an organization and impose negativity within individuals

One Step At A Time

by Retired Blogger | Jun 16, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Military Life, PCS

My husband’s next assignment is taking us to Hawaii. The kids are super excited about it, especially my daughter. She cannot wait to swim with turtles, dolphins, and sharks—especially sharks.

People always tell me they are jealous and excited for us that we can move to Hawaii and live in paradise. I am careful about getting excited.

Being a military spouse for almost 18 years, I’ve learned that plans could change overnight, and they did for our family.

AWTR Show #741: Encouraged By Our Pillars

by M:M Command Team | Jun 4, 2020 | Podcast

Our 4 pillars – the foundation of AWN – Engage, Educate, Encourage and Empower. Join Amber as she talks about AWN’s pillars and why they are important.

Keep Going, Do Not Give Up

by Retired Blogger | May 15, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6

I am struggling. Every day, I need to make an intentional decision to keep going. Being intentional with eating healthy (and not snacking on all the extra food that we have in the house), to exercise, and to stay positive. A couple weeks ago I really hit a low point where I was getting depressed and did not see a way out. Everywhere I turned, in the news, Facebook, etc. was COVID-19, and most of it was not positive.

On April 1, I was supposed to take my exam for my certification; I have been studying for it since December 2019. When the exam was cancelled and the exam site closed, I was close to crying. It was hard to see it as a blessing, an opportunity to continue to study, even though I have no idea when I can take my exam.

The Unwelcome Visitors

by Retired Blogger | May 8, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Health & Fitness

I have these annoying visitors that pop in occasionally. They’ve randomly shown up for the last 2.5 years and seem to do so at the most inopportune time. Before you think I am a terrible friend, I’m not talking about actual people.

I’m talking about anxiety and panic attacks.

Have you ever been tortured by those two? I had never dealt with them before in my life. I did have some interaction with them equally as the annoying cousin known as postpartum depression after having both my boys, but never anxiety or panic attacks.

Until one morning in November 2018.

We See Each Other, and That is Enough

by Kathleen Palmer | May 2, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

When I started to write this article in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I honestly was not sure where I wanted to go with it. I “crowdsourced” a bit to find out what the expectations were from groups of military spouses, and I received answers that ranged from “I didn’t even know there was such a day,” to “My husband gives me a spa day every year.”

(Yes, there is always one spouse getting a spa day. Let’s try to not hate her.)

But, as I dove deeper into the meaning of the day and read articles about the day’s origin (Thank you, President Reagan!) and past celebrations, I was led to ask a very important question.

Who do we really want to appreciate us on May 8?