It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon, the kind of day when you stop at a gas station, fill up your tank, and maybe debate grabbing an overpriced snack you know you probably shouldn’t. But as fate would have it, this wasn’t just any ordinary gas station stop. Parked in the next lane over, his sleek black car gleaming ominously in the sunlight, was none other than John Wick. Yes, that John Wick—the unstoppable force and, as it turns out, a fellow Mental Health Warrior.
He spotted me first, nodding with that signature intensity as he leaned against his car, clearly enjoying a rare moment of calm. “Bruce,” he said, his voice steady, as though we were old friends meeting for coffee.
“John,” I replied, doing my best to match his cool tone but secretly feeling like a fan meeting their idol. “What brings you here?” “Gas,” he said plainly, gesturing to his car. “Between… adventures.” Ah, yes, “adventures.” By which he likely meant narrowly escaping assassins and leaving trails of chaos across continents. But today, it seemed even John Wick was taking a moment to breathe.
We didn’t dive into his action-packed exploits, though. Instead, our conversation took a surprisingly practical turn—to the Mental Health Warrior Program, a SELF-HELP approach I created after battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD for over 20 years, so everyone can triumph over their life's challenges!
As we talked, I brought up something both simple and profound: while avoiding sugar when choosing a snack might be a smart choice for your mental health, avoiding your emotions is definitely not a smart choice in life.
Why Embracing Emotions Matters
John already knew my story—how I’d hit rock bottom, felt powerless, and even tried to end my life. But with a second chance, I realized that the key to triumphing over life’s challenges wasn’t avoiding emotions—it was embracing them. Turns out, he could relate.
“You know,” John said, his gravelly voice softening, “most people think strength means ignoring pain, pushing it down. But in my experience, real strength comes from facing emotions—even the tough ones—and learning to work with them.”
I nodded. “Exactly, John. That’s the foundation of the Mental Health Warrior Program. Emotions, even the hard ones, are the key to getting the full life experience. When we avoid them, we’re missing out on the lessons they teach—and the joy they make even brighter.”
John tilted his head, intrigued. “Go on,” he said, his tone inviting more. “Well,” I replied, leaning casually against my car, “it boils down to three major benefits. When we embrace the full spectrum of emotions, we unlock the power to truly experience life—we get the ‘Full Life Experience!’ Let me break it down for you.”
Benefit 1: Tough Emotions Teach Us to Value Connections
“Tough emotions like grief or loss are brutal,” I began, thinking back to my own struggles. “But they also teach us to value the time we have and the people we’re connected to. Instead of shying away from these emotions, we can accept the lessons they bring and use them to strengthen our relationships.”
John’s Takeaway:
John nodded slowly. “I’ve felt that. Losing my wife, my dog—it hurt like hell. But it also taught me just how precious those connections were. That’s why I always make sure to remember the good times, even when the grief hits hard.”
“Absolutely,” I said. “When we embrace those emotions, we’re stronger for it. And instead of withdrawing, we’re more likely to engage fully with the people around us.”
Benefit 2: Tough Emotions Make the Good Times Brighter
I continued, “When we experience emotions like depression or deep sadness, it makes the good times—successes, accomplishments, moments of joy—shine that much brighter. Without those contrasts, even our wins can feel hollow.”
John’s Takeaway:
John’s lips curled into the faintest of smiles. “I get that. Every time I get through a tough fight or a near-impossible mission, there’s this moment of calm afterward. A drink at the Continental, maybe even a good night’s sleep. Those moments feel…earned. Like they matter more because of what came before.”
“Exactly!” I said, gesturing enthusiastically. “When we accept the full spectrum of emotions, the highs feel higher. We can truly revel in the good times because we’ve earned them.”
Benefit 3: Strength is Built Through Challenges
“And here’s the big one,” I said. “Strength isn’t built by avoiding emotions—it’s built by facing them. Every time we embrace our emotions, we grow stronger, more confident, and more capable of taking on life’s challenges.”
John’s Takeaway:
John leaned forward, clearly invested. “That’s true. When I lost everything, it would’ve been easy to hide, to drown myself in…whatever. But I didn’t. I embraced the pain, and it gave me the strength to keep going. To fight back. And honestly, it’s made me better. Not just at what I do, but as a person.”
“So True,” I said. “By embracing all emotions, we build the strength to venture into the unknown or make big changes in our lives. We’re no longer held back by fear or sadness. Instead, we’re propelled forward.”
Tanks Full, Motivation High
By this point, both of our gas tanks were full, and John’s eyes were darting toward the highway, no doubt scanning for the next round of trouble coming his way. But before he left, we shared a final thought.
“Taking this path—embracing the full spectrum of emotions—it’s not the easiest way,” I said. “But it’s the one that gives us real power. Real control over our lives.” John nodded, his expression resolute. “Agreed. Being a Mental Health Warrior is what gives us the strength to choose this path—and the courage to make it work.”
As he climbed into his car, ready to disappear into yet another adventure, he added, “Keep spreading the message, Bruce. We need more warriors out there.”
The Takeaway
Watching John Wick drive off into the horizon, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you’re dodging assassins or simply navigating the chaos of everyday life, the key to triumphing over challenges is the same: embrace your emotions, learn from them, and let them fuel your journey forward.
Because when you’re a Mental Health Warrior, YOU are in charge—not your challenges. Your emotions become your fuel, not your obstacles, giving you the power to create the life you truly want.
So, the next time you’re tempted to avoid your emotions, think about how flat and incomplete life would be without them. Instead, choose the Warrior path—embrace the full spectrum of emotions, and unlock the reward of a truly full life experience.
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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