It’s not every day that you run into John Wick at the grocery store. But there I was, standing in the frozen foods aisle, debating whether to choose organic kale or just give up and buy ice cream, when I spotted him.
Dressed in his signature all-black attire, calm as a Zen master in aisle five, John casually examined a pack of frozen dumplings. Even assassins need to eat.
Now, John and I are fellow Mental Health Warriors. I had shared my story with him a while back—how I struggled for 20 years with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD from my time as an EMT with the local rescue squad. It left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in my darkest time, I had a life-changing realization: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with this knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a revolutionary SELF-HELP approach designed to help everyone manage their emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life they truly want!
John found that same truth in his own life and has been a fellow Mental Health Warrior ever since.
So, naturally, I had to ask him the burning question: “John, with everything going on in the world, how do you always look so emotionally calm and grounded?”
He smirked and reached into his pocket, pulling out the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin I had given him. “Simple,” he said, flipping the coin in his fingers with assassin-level precision. “I use this to stay emotionally calm and grounded—every single day.”
Now, this was a student teaching the teacher moment, and I wasn’t about to pass it up. “Okay, Wick. Enlighten me.” He nodded. “Here are the three ways to stay emotionally grounded in chaotic times. And trust me, they work!”
1. The Coin as a Physical Grounding Tool
John held up the coin and pressed it firmly between his fingers. “In the heat of chaos, whether it’s a firefight or just standing in line behind someone who won’t stop arguing with the self-checkout machine, I use this.”
John’s Story:
“One time, I had about twenty guys coming after me in a hallway. I had two options: panic or stay grounded. So, I reached into my pocket, felt the weight of the coin, took a breath, and reminded myself—I’m still here. I’m in control!”
Our Turn:
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or like you’re losing control, grab your Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. Feel its weight. Focus on the texture, the temperature, the ridges. It’s a physical reminder that you are here, in the present moment—not lost in worst-case scenarios.
I nodded. “I see. So when I’m about to lose my patience with someone who won’t stop scrolling their phone at a green light, I should grab my coin instead of my horn?”
John smirked. “Exactly, my Mental Health Warrior friend!”
2. The Coin as a Mental Reset Button
John flipped the coin in his palm and caught it smoothly. “This thing? It’s not just for show. I use it as a reset button.”
John’s Story:
“I was tracking a target across Rome. Everything was going sideways, and I was seconds from losing my cool. Instead of letting frustration control me, I flipped my coin, caught it, and used that action to reset my mind.”
Our Turn:
Sometimes, emotions build up fast—anger, frustration, stress. Instead of letting them run the show, use a small action to break the cycle. Flip a coin. Snap your fingers. Take a deep breath. Create a pattern interrupter. It helps stop negative thought spirals before they take control.
I grinned. “So next time I’m in a tense moment, instead of spiraling, I flip my coin, catch it, and boom—I’m back in control!”
John nodded. “Exactly. Works every time.”
3. The Coin as a Reminder of Strength
John held up the coin one last time. “Most importantly? It reminds me that I am a Mental Health Warrior!”
John’s Story:
“When I was at my lowest, when I thought everything was lost, I held onto this. It reminded me that I’ve survived worse. I am still here. I still have fight in me.”
Our Turn:
We all have moments where we feel defeated, exhausted, or hopeless. When that happens, hold your Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin, look at it, and remember the battles you’ve already won. You are stronger than you think—and this coin is a symbol of your resilience.
I exhaled. “Damn, John. That’s powerful.”
He nodded. “It’s why I carry it with me everywhere. It keeps me empowered—always!”
Lesson Learned: Grounded… But Still Hungry
Just then, I glanced down at my cart. “We should probably actually buy food before we get emotionally grounded but physically starving.”
John nodded. “Agreed. No one makes good decisions when they’re hangry.”
As I watched John Wick calmly bag his groceries, I realized the lesson wasn’t just about the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. It was about having a system—a way to stay emotionally calm and grounded, no matter what the world throws at you.
And with that, I picked up my own Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin, turned it in my fingers, and took a deep breath. I am here. I am in control. I am a Mental Health Warrior!
Bruce Schutter
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