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January Chaplain's Reflections

  • Published
  • By Chaplain, Lt. Col. Brian Bohlman
  • 169th Fighter Wing

During the beginning of the New Year, I would encourage you to take time to reflect on what has taken place in your life over the past year. This is a healthy practice and reminder that each of us need to know where we’ve been in order to know where we’re going.

 

As you take time to reflect and remember, perhaps last year you got married, had a child, started a new job, received a promotion, completed an academic degree or level of PME…these are just a few examples of things to be celebrated. At the same time, perhaps you experienced some difficulties over the last year in the form of loss…death of a friend or family member, loss of personal possessions or property, unexpected deployment tasking, strained or failed relationship. The truth is that probably many of us have experienced both joy and sorrow over the past year.

 

While the holiday season is often filled with joy and celebrations, sometimes we can experience the post-holiday blues. If this is true for you, please don’t ignore the pain; talk to someone who cares. As you think about reaching out during the New Year, please keep the following things in mind:

 

- Reach UP to your faith or beliefs that give you strength and hope. Turn to rituals and traditions that can help heal the pain of loss. Coming together with others in the community can also help.

 

- Reach DOWN to help others in need and refer them to caring resources. Your Chaplain Corps, Wing Director of Psychological Health, and Airman & Family Readiness Program Manager have a plethora of resources. Download the “Ready Airman” app on your smartphone for a list of local, state, and national resource contacts.

 

- Reach OUT to take someone’s hand and walk with them in grief, loss and pain. Don’t leave an Airman or anyone behind to suffer alone. Take the initiative to reach out and connect with them. Don’t assume that their okay either, they won’t tell you until you ask them how they are processing their loss.

 

In summary, never forget this powerful, wise saying, “To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.” Read this again and let its message sink into your spirit!

Be that ONE PERSON during the New Year by making a difference in someone’s life.

 

SCANG STRONG BONDS DATE NIGHT -- JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

 

The Strong Bonds Program will hold a Relationship Resiliency Dinner at 5:30pm at the Blue Marlin Restaurant in the Vista following the Saturday, 3 February drill. This makes a great date and it's FREE to attend. Space is limited to 22 DATING OR MARRIED COUPLES.

RSVP to Christina.P.Pittman.mil@mail.mil by 26 JAN