resilience - Mission: Milspouse

Tacos, Nuts, and Food for Thought

by Kathleen Palmer | Oct 8, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Military Life

Most days, I arrive at my job rushed and frantic in spite of my best efforts to get up on the first alarm and my best intentions to not check my email before I even roll out of bed.

I am a work in progress on both accounts.

But when I enter my classroom every morning, my eyes automatically connect with three posters that I have strategically placed to inspire my students when they walk in the room. My students need to see the words on the three posters. They have faced much adversity in their young lives, and sometimes they just need some encouragement.

Build Your Own Boat

by Retired Blogger | Sep 30, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

Let’s pretend that you’ve just received orders to the East Coast and you have 30 days to PCS. You bring what you have and hope that you’re prepared enough for the move.

Now, let’s pretend that the week you arrive, there’s a hurricane. It floods your garage, tosses a trampoline through your window, and drops a tree onto your only vehicle. That is called unpredictability, and it’s most inconsiderate.

What if you could go back thirty days and do it all over again, knowing then what you know now? Would you do things differently? I bet you would. That is called preparedness. It is your best defense against unpredictability.

Construct Your Independence

by Sarah Peachey | Jun 28, 2019 | Experience, Military Life

When you marry a service member, your life often becomes more about them than you. Where you live is dependent on your service member.

You must know your service member’s social security number to make medical appointments and, eventually, you rattle it off without a second thought. When someone asks for your social, it seems harder to remember.

Your service member’s name is on your ID card along with your own. For a period of time, their social also appeared on your ID card.

You can’t take charge of your move or your house without a power of attorney specifically stating that you can. That can extend to financial aspects, too.

You quit jobs because following your service member is more important to you than your career. You frequently choose love over career progression.

All of these situations can make you feel extremely dependent on your spouse. It can spark the question, “What about me?”

Take Your Skills and Use Them

by George Banker | Jun 12, 2019 | Blog, Expert, Health & Fitness

Forget about what you used to do and focus on what you can do.

In order to make a successful transition, you must accept your limitations. You may have been at a 10-minute pace per mile and now 12-minutes per mile is the normal and feels comfortable. A mental adjustment is required, and the body will follow.

Show #694: “We Regret to Inform You”

by M:M Command Team | Jun 10, 2019 | Podcast

Joanne Steen, author of We Regret to Inform You: A Survival Guide for Gold Star Parents and Those Who Support Them, tackles the subject that terrifies parents of military personnel—the death of their son or daughter in service to their nation. In short, easy-to-read chapters, Gold Star parents find thoughtful explanations and trustworthy advice for coping with military grief. Steen weaves together realistic examples with voices of other Gold Star parents, connecting the readers to the wisdom of those parents who have walked in their shoes.

Defining Your Identity

by Sara Jane Arnett | Jun 4, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Military Life

Are you comfortable with your identity? What defines you, and do you feel owning your identity is important for self-care?

What attributes and characteristics would you use to describe yourself? Smart, funny, clever, kind, or crafty? Would you go right for the positive or for your own jugular? When asked, “What makes you you,” would you start with negative self-perceptions such as overweight, unorganized, defensive, flaky, or forgetful?

Show #682: Bravery & the Fall of Saigon

by M:M Command Team | Mar 4, 2019 | Podcast

Miki Nguyen shares his father’s incredible story of bravery during the last few days during the fall of Saigon, conveying a message of courage, hope, and resiliency. Miki’s family then went on to overcome many obstacles. They worked hard to assimilate in a country that they had never stepped foot in before. While the opportunity to come to America was a dream come true, Miki soon discovered that it wouldn’t be without its challenges. Tune in to hear the details to the events leading up to the heroic helicopter ditch at sea and life afterward in America as Miki wrote in his book.

The Transition To a New Sense of Self

by George Banker | Feb 10, 2019 | Expert, Health & Fitness

The new year is here, and once again, the plans are being made. It’s possible for you to make a difference in your life through your personal fitness goals, but you have to make the commitment to yourself.

There are some who have personal challenges to overcome. I have my heart issues for which I am trying to find a balance. My resolution is to become a better slower runner and so far, I am off on the right foot.

Show #677: A Navy Widow’s Hope

by M:M Command Team | Jan 28, 2019 | Podcast

Kris Rystrom Emmert impacts audiences with her powerful message of enduring unspeakable tragedy and discovering unshakable hope. With a contagious zest for life, Kris weaves her story of loss into a life-changing encounter that inspires others to experience their own healing and uncover their God-given destiny.