“Which Way Is Your Warrior Facing – An Operational Manual for Current Serving and Veterans Transitioning into Civilian Life”
If You Want To Unload Your Burden And Transition To Civilian Life In An Emotionally Healthy Way, Then, This Book Is For You!
I began by writing a book, a simple book that would be informative and useful. However, along the way, what came to me was to create not just a book that would invite you to “turn the pages” but a process that would create opportunities for self-reflection and that this, over time, would become a record of your journey.
“Which Way Is Your Warrior Facing” invites you to read and digest what you have read as well as pay attention to what it means to you. It invites you to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and memories. It invites you to document and map out your process as you navigate your way through your transitioning territory.
This book may have begun with what I wrote, but it will ultimately become the book you and I have written together as a team. Your book will allow you to go backwards and forwards through your process and reflect on how your journey of transition changes and evolves to meet the variations of your territory.
This book will, in the end, become your map and compass of your life. It will be your story, not mine. It will be something that you can share with selected others, whether it be through conversation or reading together. It has the potential to move from my book to your book and then the book that others around you can contribute to in the process as you invite them in.
Remember that a good patrol is determined by the knowledge of the map you carry, your internal compass (your values and judgement), the resources you equip yourself with to manage and survive, and, most importantly, the presence of others in your group or Tribe. The rules remain the same—teamwork, knowledge, and the willingness to take the first step.
As with any good journey, or patrol, travelling with others can increase capability and effective completion of the mission.
This book, is therefore, your Mission.
During my own time with the Rhodesian military, I saw and felt firsthand how difficult it can be to leave the soldier’s mind-set behind. I realized that we had been forever changed by what we had seen and experienced. After years of practicing constant vigilance and readiness, we were emotionally exhausted.
I discovered that many soldiers would either turn their “claymore mine” inward or outward. Inward meant swallowing all the emotional turmoil until they couldn’t take it. Outward meant releasing that turmoil in front of others. Both situations were unsustainable and toxic.
Let me show you how to unload your burden in an emotionally healthy way. You can lean on your loved ones for support without pushing them away or causing them pain. Through reading the book and engaging with the exercises and reflections you may find better coping mechanisms to ease the transition to civilian life. The book will support you to orientate your Warrior, define your territory and navigate forward into constructive change. I have dedicated my psychological career to helping others make the transition and now want to share my findings, understandings and techniques with you.
In this book I’ll show you how to:
· Persevere when civilian life becomes overwhelming;
· Begin with small changes;
· Embrace the uncertainty of your new life;
· Identify the psychological techniques and tools that can help you cope;
· Refrain from making others carry your emotional burden;
· Ask for help when you truly need it;
· Tolerate different kinds of emotional discomfort;
· Keep moving forward;
· Stop letting your impulses get the best of you;
· Refrain from blaming yourself or others;
· Take the time to enjoy the good moments when they come; and
· Approach new or existing relationships and transitions with clarity and self-control.
I keep my book practical and I translate important strategies, neuroscience and brain based concepts into simple military operational terms. I want you to understand that you can still embody the qualities of a warrior in your civilian life and you can use the lessons you learned during combat to grow and change. I’ll help you leave the soldiering life behind and finally lay your burden down.
War imprints on the Soul. It reminds us how fragile and yet how precious our lives are. Do whatever it takes to heal your wounds and embrace the time given to you. Our sacred duty is to watch out for each other. A time will come when each of us will breathe our last breath. Life is unpredictable. May you all live each day to the fullest, both within yourself and in your relationships with others.
I wish you all a successful transitioning into your new territory. Thank you for reading “Which Way is your Warrior Facing”. Thank you for journeying through the book with me. Thank you for your service.
With respect and care,
Barry
