It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon, the kind of day where everything just seems a little brighter. I was wandering through town, enjoying the simple pleasure of fresh air and a good cup of coffee when I suddenly heard a very enthusiastic shout.
“Bruce! Bruce! We found something AMAZING!”
I turned just in time to see Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore charging toward me. Well, to be fair, Tigger was bouncing, Pooh was waddling with purpose, Piglet was speed-walking nervously, and Eeyore was trailing behind with the energy of a sloth that had just woken up from a nap.
“We’re all part of the Mental Health Warrior Tribe, remember?” Pooh beamed, patting his round belly. “And we’ve been sharing it with our friends!”
I smiled. I had shared my story with them before—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.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a revolutionary SELF-HELP approach designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life they really want. It’s about taking control, not letting your struggles define you!
Pooh and the gang were strong believers in the program, but today, they were especially thrilled because they had discovered something incredible—the power of sharing it with others!
“Every time we shared it, we realized something—we were helping ourselves, too!” Pooh declared, nodding with satisfaction.
“Sharing helped YOU?” I asked, intrigued. “How?” Piglet, ever so tiny yet brimming with excitement, stepped forward. “Oh, Bruce, let us tell you! We found three ways it helps, and they’re just wonderful!”
1. Helping Others Helps Us, Too!
Pooh adjusted his red shirt proudly. “You see, Bruce, when we tell our friends about the Mental Health Warrior Program, we’re giving them something that actually works! And we love helping our friends.”
Piglet nodded. “Yes, and when they start using the tools and seeing progress, it makes us feel good, too. It’s like we’re all getting stronger together!”
Our Turn:
I smiled. “That makes total sense, guys. When I first created the program, I didn’t realize how much helping others would help me, too. Every time I help someone take control of their mental health, it reinforces my own warrior mindset and reminds me why I keep going. We all thrive when we lift each other up.”
Tigger bounced in place. “Exactly! It’s like when you teach someone to bounce! They start bouncing, and then you get more excited, and before you know it, EVERYONE’S BOUNCING!”
“A perfect example, Tigger.”
2. Sharing Opens the Door to Amazing Conversations
Piglet clasped his tiny hands together. “You know, Bruce, talking about the program has led to some of the most wonderful conversations! We’ve talked about things we never talked about before, even with our closest friends.”
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “Most people struggle with something, Bruce. And when we share the program, we’re not just giving them help—we’re opening the door for honest conversations about mental health. And those conversations help everyone feel a little less alone.”
Our Turn:
I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of their words. “You’re absolutely right. So many of us walk around feeling like we’re the only ones struggling. But when we open up, it’s like a domino effect—others start sharing, too. It strengthens our warrior journey when we realize we’re all in this together.”
Eeyore gave a slow, wise nod. “I talked to Rabbit about it. Turns out he gets stressed a lot, too. We actually had a nice chat.”
Piglet beamed. “And did that help you, Eeyore?”
Eeyore blinked. “Sure. Now I know Rabbit feels the same way sometimes. And when things get tough, we can talk about it together. That keeps us both strong and moving forward each day.”
3. Each Share Boosts Your Confidence
Tigger did a backflip of excitement before landing perfectly on his tail. “The BEST part is—every time we share the program, we feel STRONGER! Talking about something that helps us makes US feel more confident!”
Pooh rubbed his chin. “Yes, it’s rather wonderful. When we explain the program, we remind ourselves that we, not our challenges, are in control. It’s like we’re reinforcing our own warrior mindset every time we share it!”
Our Turn:
I clapped my hands together. “That’s HUGE, guys. One of the hardest things about mental health struggles is feeling like you’re not in control. But when you share the program, you’re proving to yourself that you ARE in control. That’s a big deal!”
Tigger nodded. “And it’s FUN! We’re coming up with new ways to use the program all the time!”
Pooh patted his belly again. “And it keeps us motivated. Because when you share something that works, you get excited all over again!”
Share & Grow
Pooh and the gang grinned from ear to ear, buzzing with excitement. “Bruce, we need to tell more people about the Mental Health Warrior Program! Every share helps everyone involved!”
Pooh then took a deep breath. “And Bruce, next time YOU’RE struggling, don’t forget to share, too. It’ll remind you why you started.” I smiled. “You’re absolutely right, Pooh.”
And with that, they were off—spreading the word, lifting others up, and growing stronger with each share.
So, the next time you’re struggling, remember this powerful lesson from Winnie the Pooh and the gang: Share the Mental Health Warrior Program with someone. Not only will it help them, but it will help YOU, too. Because we are ALL part of something bigger—The Mental Health Warrior Tribe!
Bruce Schutter
Comments