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Mar 04, 2008 06:50AM - 3 comments

Well, I believe it is time to focus outward instead of inward even if I am feeling this anxiety and panic on a daily basis.  First, I have to be thankful for what I have here; I have a wonderful wife, great friends, a great job, and this forum that I have shared this 'journey' with.  When I was deployed I had alot of interaction with both the Afghan and Iraqi youth.  They did not have much, but yet they were always smiling, and no matter how bad I am having it, there is NO way that I can even imagine what they are going through.  You see such bad news on tv all the time, from disease to the homeless, etc.  Well, it is time to start doing something about it!

I have decided to volunteer more with the local YMCA here for kids that can't afford to pay the fee for summer camp; already helped in one fundraiser and I am going to help 'work for free,' or volunteer hours so it frees up more money to sponsor children to go.  I have also been involved in the Community Food Bank, and I am going to start doing that again.  I do NOT want recognition for this; after recieving so much help others on this forum, I need to recipricate and find purpose, which is to help each other, not because it feels good but because it is the right thing to do and we are all in this together no matter what we suffer from.

My wife and I are also paying off our grad school loans and when we are done, I am going to apply for a PhD program in psychology, why not help people that have suffered like me and I'll actually have some 'street cred' because I have been there and done (and doing) that.  I often try to make sense of this whole experience, so why not use it as stepping stone to understanding the world a little better?


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by gentle51, Mar 04, 2008 08:38PM
Chris,

You have a terrific plan! Staying involved helps tremendously with ones own self and at the same time helps others. Kids are great! There are many kids that need extra attention from adults because they lack that attention from  home. I see this daily at schooI. With some students the teachers are the best interactions they have all day. Good luck, my friend.

The PHD psychology plan is another awesome goal. Just take it slow you wouldn't want to burnout. I have been there before myself trying to do too many things at once.

Take Care,
Blessings,
Marie


by Rottweiler, Mar 05, 2008 02:09AM
Hi

Just a quick comment - despite anxiety, depression, working and being a single parent to four offspring I returned to university as an undergrad thinking I'd be glad just to get a "C".  Ended up getting a PhD and also used my personal experiences as a basis for my dissertation.  Just based on the one entry you posted, you will probably be a compassionate and empathetic psychologist.  This is the first time I have ever told anyone outside the university environment.

Success to you "Doctor"    = )

Rottie





by cj29, Mar 05, 2008 06:25AM
Thank you both for your kind comments.  Throughout this process I am learning that EVERYONE has their challanges.  It is how we handle these challanges that shape us.  If this is my challange, I believe I need to take these lessons learned and apply them for the better good.  Often, suffering can bring out the best in people.  I see this all the time just in this forum with the caring, compassion, and the willingness of everyone here to help people in their times of need.

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