Finding Calm Amidst Current Events: How Winnie the Pooh uses the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin
- Bruce Schutter
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
It was one of those crisp, sunny mornings, the kind where you head downtown for a coffee and maybe, just maybe, some people-watching. But, as fate would have it, I ran into none other than Winnie the Pooh. Yes, the Winnie the Pooh, with his iconic red shirt, toddling along with a honey pot tucked under one arm and a curious look on his face.
“Pooh!” I called out, catching up to him. “What brings you downtown?” He stopped, looking relieved, as if I were a familiar face he’d been hoping to see. “Oh, hello, Bruce!” he said, adjusting his honey pot. “Well, you see, I’ve been a bit… bothered.”
“It’s all these things in the world,” he sighed, sinking a little lower. “There’s always something in the news, like elections, or wars far away, or prices that make me think even honey’s gotten too fancy for me. It’s as if everything’s a little heavy these days.”
I nodded, understanding all too well. “I get it, Pooh. Current events may not be happening right in our backyard, but they have a way of creeping into our thoughts, bringing stress with them.” That’s when it hit me. I had just the thing to help him. “Pooh, let me show you something.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my trusty Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.
Pooh’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What’s that?” “This,” I said, “is a Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. I created it as part of the Mental Health Warrior Program.
Now Pooh knows my story of how for 20 years I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Challenges that left me feeling so powerless, that I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge!
It is with this knowledge and my experiences, that I created the Mental Health Warrior program—a new SELF-HELP approach designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, overcome challenges and build the life they really want!
Pooh looked at the coin in awe, his round eyes wide. “It’s shiny! And… oh, what’s written on the back?” I flipped it over to show him. “The back of this coin displays the Mental Health Warrior Creed: Bend Not Break.”
“It’s a reminder,” I explained, “that, as Mental Health Warriors, we don’t let life break us, even when things get tough. We bend, we adapt, and we keep moving forward on our journey.”
Then I smiled. “And since you’re feeling weighed down by the world, Pooh, let me share 3 ways I use this coin—and the warrior mindset—to stay calm during chaotic times and stressful news cycles.”
Example 1: Stop the News from Overwhelming You
“When I hear something in the news,” I began, “something heavy that makes me feel a little hopeless or lost, I reach into my pocket and hold the coin. The weight of it reminds me of the weight of my past struggles—how I once felt powerless, but learned to take back control of my life.
The creed on the coin, "Bend Not Break", helps me remember that I can face whatever comes my way when I follow the warrior path.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s ears perked up as he gently held the coin. “So, it’s like when I feel a big storm is coming in the Hundred Acre Wood, and I start to feel all flustered. I hold the coin and think about all the times I’ve gotten through storms before.”
“Exactly, Pooh!” I said, smiling. “You don’t let the storm break you. You’ve weathered storms before—and you’ll weather this one too. The coin is your reminder of your strength.”
Example 2: Stay Calm During the Day
I continued, “I keep the coin on my desk when I’m working because, let’s be honest—sometimes work just piles up. There are emails, unexpected projects, tight deadlines—it can get overwhelming fast. But when I pause, glance at the coin, and read Bend Not Break, it acts like a mini-meditation. It reminds me that I am strong, I am in control—and that puts me in a calm oasis right in the middle of the chaos.
My day becomes filled with small triumphs because I’m responding from a grounded, empowered place—refusing to let the stress break me.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s eyes brightened. “You know, sometimes when I’m trying to get honey and things aren’t going my way, I feel like giving up. But if I had the coin on my shelf, I could look at it and remember to be patient. I could try again without getting so upset.”
“Absolutely, Pooh,” I nodded. “You don’t need to rush. The coin reminds you that strength isn’t loud—it’s about staying steady and calm, even when things get tricky.”
Example 3: Focus on What’s Within My Control
I held the coin again and explained, “There are so many things we just can’t control, Pooh. But when I hold this coin and read the words Bend Not Break, I’m reminded to shift my focus back to what’s right in front of me.
When life feels overwhelming, I let go of what’s beyond my reach and focus on what I can do. That’s where my strength is.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh clutched the coin in his paw, nodding thoughtfully. “I think that would help me when Rabbit starts going on about his garden plans. Sometimes, I get caught up worrying about things I can’t fix—like too much rain, or not enough. Then Rabbit gets all flustered, and I feel flustered, too.”
I laughed, picturing Rabbit waving a rake. “Exactly! The coin can help you remember—you can’t control the weather, but you can help Rabbit stay calm in the moment and focus on the garden plans he can work on.”
Wrap Up
As we wrapped up, I knew what I had to do. “Pooh,” I said, handing him the coin, “I want you to have your very own Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin—something to remind you of the strength you already have to face whatever comes your way.”
Pooh’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “For me? Really?” He held it up to the light, marveling at its shine. “Thank you, Bruce! I’ll keep it with me—and I promise to keep it out of the honey.” I laughed. “Probably a good idea, Pooh.”
He tucked the coin safely away and gave me one of his famous bear hugs. “This is going to help so much. The next time something big happens—like a windy day or some scary news—I’ll hold this coin, read the words on the back, and remind myself that I’m strong enough to Bend Not Break.”
So, the next time current events feel like too much or life throws a challenge your way, do what Pooh does—reach for your Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. Use it as your daily reminder that you are a Warrior, and you have the inner strength to overcome any challenge life throws your way!
Bruce Schutter
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