The Army is more committed to the soldier’s welfare than I previously believed. While the feminine lives have infiltrated the Army culture, I admit to enjoying being with the masculine energy and its assertive embellishments. Our work is intense as you might expect and I can only say that if not for my experience and abilities to self care I might have been overwhelmed. The average age of our consulting team is about fifty, a wise choice by the recruiting team. We offered these soldiers an informal relationship and a way to lower the barriers to obtain the help that they may need. If we turned heads just a few degrees in perspective about self-care and concern for them then we did our jobs. It seems like we are planting seeds for the future, unsure of how the growth will turn out, putting faith in the intention.
I love being with these young men and women from all over the USA. It feels like a trip across America visiting with folks from little towns in far away places, off the "beaten path". There are a few from my home town, New York City, some from Brooklyn and the Bronx. Pleasantly surprised by how well educated many of the soldiers are in the battalion to which I am assigned. There is only one opportunity to reach out and touch them, and letting them touch me. Two strangers on a train waiting for the next stop and speaking about things, untold, except to a stranger. There are too many stories to tell and yet stories defined each company within the battalion as I heard it. These stories became more alive for me as the actual characters of these stories walked through the door into my room.
Each day at the office, I begin with my ritual of calling in the deities and spirit guides that support me. Selecting colored scarves for the day, and bringing them with me in my briefcase. Trusting the energy to do its work.