It was a sunny afternoon, and I found myself downtown, strolling through the park, trying to clear my head. Life’s challenges had been hitting me like a freight train, but after 20+ years of battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD, I’ve learned how to dodge those blows.
That’s when I saw him—John Wick. Yes, the John Wick, looking unusually peaceful for someone who’s spent a lifetime battling impossible odds. He was sitting on a park bench, sipping coffee, with his dog lounging contentedly beside him. I couldn’t resist. “John Wick? Is that you?”
He looked up and, without missing a beat, gave me that signature nod. “Bruce, right? The guy who created the Mental Health Warrior Program?” Before I could reply, he continued, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. I’ve been reading your book, ‘I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorders by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.’ Some of your principles about living as a warrior have really stuck with me.” “Which one?” I asked, curious.
John leaned forward; his intense expression unmistakable. “The one about not letting challenges define us. I’ve faced my fair share of battles—both mental and physical—and it can feel like you’re losing control of your life. But then I read Mental Health Warrior Principle 5: ‘You are not defined or limited by your life’s challenges.’ That one hit home.”
I smiled. “I get it, John. After 20 years of fighting Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD, I reached a point where I felt like I had no control. My challenges were running the show, leading me straight into trying to end my life. But with a second chance, I learned something life-changing: mental health is the key to triumphing over any challenge.”
John nodded, his demeanor as intense as ever. “Exactly. When life’s challenges come at you, it’s easy to think they’re calling the shots. But you’re saying we’ve got the power, right?” “Exactly,” I replied. “That’s what Mental Health Warrior Principle 5 is all about. It empowers us in three major ways.”
1 – We Have the Tools to Manage Emotions
First, we become warriors, armed with tools to manage our emotions, and that gives us the ability to take our lives in any direction we choose.” John leaned back, clearly intrigued. “Tell me more.”
“Well, think about it. Life’s challenges—whether they’re mental health issues or just the daily grind—tend to overwhelm us emotionally. But when you’re a Mental Health Warrior, you’ve got tools that help you manage those emotions. You don’t react, you RESPOND! That’s the key difference. And once you can manage your emotions, you’ve got control over the direction of your life. You get to make the decisions.”
John raised an eyebrow. “So, it’s like taking back the wheel?” “Exactly,” I said, feeling the excitement build.”
2 – We See through the Lies Challenges Tell Us
And second, you start to see that mental health challenges lie to us. They tell us we’re not strong enough, that we can’t move forward, that we’re stuck. But when you’ve got a warrior mindset and tools to handle your emotions, you can see through those lies.”
John laughed—a rare sight. “You know, life challenges are a bit like hitmen. They’ll try to sneak up on you, make you feel powerless. But once you know their tricks, you can outsmart them.”
“Exactly!” I said, matching his enthusiasm. “Mental health challenges will try to tell you that you’re powerless, that there’s no way out. But once you’ve embraced your warrior mindset, you realize that’s all just noise. You can triumph over those challenges every day. You’ve got the power within you.” John’s dog let out a soft bark, as if in agreement, and we both chuckled.
3 – We have the Power to “Live” Life
“And the third thing,” I continued, “is that life is meant to be lived. Even with challenges, as Mental Health Warriors, we’ve actually got a leg up. We’ve learned to embrace the power of emotions. Most people go through life avoiding their emotions, but we’ve learned to accept them. And that gives us an edge. We can take our life in any direction we want, change course when needed, and keep seeking out new challenges—because we’re warriors.”
John leaned in, his eyes sharp. “So, you’re saying we can accomplish all of this with the power of Mental Health Warrior Principle 5: ‘You are not defined or limited by your life’s challenges.’ John was quiet for a moment, then, with a small smile, he said, “I like that. I’ve spent so much of my life fighting, but this… this sounds like a different kind of fight. One where I’m in control.”
I nodded. “That’s the beauty of the Mental Health Warrior Program. It’s not about fighting against yourself—it’s about empowering yourself. You’re not defined or limited by your challenges. You can always take charge of your life.”
Wrapping It Up:
John’s expression softened. “I’ve got some friends who need to hear this.” “Pass it on,” I said with a grin. “The more Mental Health Warriors out there, the better. We all have the power within us to triumph over life’s challenges. We’re not powerless—we’re powerful!”
John stood up, his dog following close behind. He extended a hand, his signature intensity softened by a hint of gratitude. “Bruce, thank you. I’m going to share your book, ‘I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorders by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior,’ with my friends. People need to know they have the power to take control of their lives as Mental Health Warriors—not to let challenges define or limit them.”
As I watched John and his loyal dog disappear down the street, a sense of pride filled me. One thing was clear: We are not defined or limited by life’s challenges. As Mental Health Warriors, we have the power to chart our own course and live the amazing life we deserve—one step, one triumph at a time.
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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