It was a sunny afternoon when I found myself in the grocery store, staring at the price of eggs like they’d been bedazzled with diamonds. As I debated whether to mortgage my house for a dozen, I heard a familiar, gravelly voice behind me. “Bruce,” said John Wick, “the price of eggs is ridiculous.”
I turned around to find him—suit as sharp as ever, shopping basket in hand, though his intense gaze suggested the organic eggs in his basket were testing even his legendary patience.
“John,” I said, shaking my head, “the price of eggs is out of our control. But building strong mental health? That’s not.” A rare smirk crossed his face. “You’re right!”
A Shared Journey
John and I are no strangers to deep conversations. He knows my story—20+ years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD, and how those struggles led me to feeling powerless and trying to end my life. But with a second chance, I found mental health was the key to overcoming any challenge in life. So, based on my experiences, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a new SELF-HELP approach—centered around mindset and lifestyle changes, so everyone can triumph over their life’s challenges!
John respects the program, especially since it’s grounded in resilience—something we both know a thing or two about. So, as we stood in the dairy aisle, I shared a thought. “John, while we can’t control the egg market, we can control how we respond to it. And that starts with building strong mental health every single day.”
John nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. I’ve been leaning into the program, and it helps. Let me give you three examples of how I use it to stay grounded—even when the world feels chaotic.”
Example 1: The Power of Morning Rituals
John’s Take:
“Every day, I start with something grounding—meditation. Not the ‘chanting on a mountain’ kind, but a quiet moment before the chaos, where I focus on my breath and set my intentions. It clears my head, whether I’m dealing with assassins or overpriced groceries.”
I chuckled. “Meditation? You, the Baba Yaga, sitting quietly?” “It’s not about the image,” John said. “It’s about the discipline. That moment of focus keeps me from snapping at the cashier when eggs cost more than my suit.”
Bruce’s Takeaway:
For me, journaling does the trick. It’s a daily ritual where I spill my thoughts onto paper, creating order out of mental chaos. When anxiety tries to hijack my day, I’ve found that starting with clarity helps me stay in control. So, whether it’s meditation, journaling, or even my Diet Coke in silence, those first moments set the tone for the day.
Example 2: Gratitude as a Weapon
John’s Take:
“I practice gratitude. Sounds cheesy, but it works. Sure, eggs are expensive, but I remind myself I’ve got my dog, my health, and another day. Shifting focus to what I have instead of what I don’t flips a positive switch in my brain.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Gratitude? From you?” “Don’t knock it,” he said. “You don’t survive my line of work without appreciating the little things—like, say, not having 12 hitmen chasing you while you’re buying groceries.”
Bruce’s Takeaway:
Gratitude has been a game-changer for me too. When I reflect on the progress I’ve made—staying sober, managing my Bipolar, and creating the Mental Health Warrior Program—it’s hard to stay bogged down by daily annoyances. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it’s a strategy to combat negative spirals. So, when you’re down, ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can be grateful for today?”
Example 3: Physical Action as Mental Health Fuel
John’s Take:
“When I’m frustrated—like, say, by egg prices—I channel it into something productive. A workout, a run, even cleaning my house. Physical action clears my head and reminds me I’m in control of my body, even if I can’t control the economy.”
I laughed. “You? Cleaning your house? That’s a mental image.” He smirked. “Movement works. You can’t stay stuck mentally when you’re physically active!”
Bruce’s Takeaway:
Physical activity has been one of my most reliable tools. When I feel overwhelmed, I grab my sandbag and work out, or I go for a long walk. It’s not just about staying fit—it’s about channeling that emotional energy into something positive.
Movement has a way of resetting your mind, reminding you that you’re in control of your actions, even if you can’t control everything else.
Warrior Wisdom
“Well, John,” I said, “I think we’ve cracked it (yes, pun intended, lol). We can’t change the price of eggs, but we can build strong mental health. That’s what makes us warriors.”
He gave me one of his signature intense looks. “The world throws chaos at us, but we decide how to respond. That’s real power!”
The Takeaway
As John strode off, I stood there for a moment, reflecting. Life will always throw us curveballs, whether they’re big challenges like mental health struggles or small ones like the price of groceries. But what sets us apart as Mental Health Warriors is our ability to face those challenges with resilience and grace.
So, the next time you’re staring at overpriced eggs or feeling overwhelmed, remember this: You have the power to build strong mental health. Take action, practice gratitude, and keep moving forward—one small step at a time. And hey, maybe switch to chicken. It’s a lot less stressful. 🐔
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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