So there I was, making a quick pit stop at the library, expecting maybe a quiet escape from the usual hustle or a chance to skim through some poetry. But what do I find instead? Rambo himself—bandana on, eyes intense—standing at a lectern, preparing to share his soul with the world through poetry.
Yes, that Rambo. Once known for his combat skills and not exactly the guy you’d expect at an open mic night. But today was different. Today, he wasn’t here for war—he was here to read a poem he had written, part of his journey as a Mental Health Warrior.
I had shared my story with him — how I spent 20 years battling Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD. Leaving me feeling so powerless, that I tried to end my life. But in that dark moment, I discovered something life-changing: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
With this knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a groundbreaking SELF-HELP approach — designed to help people take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life they truly want.
Like me, Rambo had realized that toughness isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about mental resilience. And a huge part of that strength? Embracing emotions, using them as tools, and learning to manage them.
And now, here he was, proving to the world that even the toughest warriors can walk the path of vulnerability and emotion.
I took my seat among an audience of surprised but eager listeners. The silence was heavy. Then, with the conviction of a man who had been through the wringer and come out stronger, Rambo took the mic… and began to read.
Rambo’s Poem: A Warrior’s Embrace of Emotions
Emotions are curious, loyal companions,
shadows cast by a daring new light,
first fierce and strange, stirring whispers of fear,
then softening slowly to feel right.
We brace ourselves for their wild, raw tide,
for each carries weight that’s hard to define;
but as warriors, we don’t turn away—
we let them flow, let them align.
Joy, sorrow, fear, love—each with its depth,
painted colors that fill every day;
each feeling a note in our warrior’s song,
a guide on the journey, lighting the way.
They come not to weaken, but to embolden,
to shape us in truth, to lift our sights;
for though we once feared their unpredictable force,
they bring us to clarity, strength, and insight.
So we welcome each feeling—bold, unafraid,
letting them settle, letting them teach;
for warriors know the power within,
lies in lessons only our hearts can reach.
With joy, we savor, with sorrow, we heal;
with fear, we grow wise, with love, we reveal.
As Mental Health Warriors, we embrace it all—
these emotions are tools that make us whole.
They’re not burdens to bear, but allies to trust,
flames that kindle courage in the night;
for within each rise, each fall, each cry,
we find strength that keeps our spirit alight.
So let them come, let them guide, let them stay,
for they fill our days with wisdom and might;
embracing emotions, we triumph each day,
a warrior’s journey through shadow and light!
Applause and Admiration
As Rambo finished, a murmur rippled through the crowd—not just surprise, but deep admiration. The stoic soldier, the ultimate warrior, had just captured the delicate dance of human emotion.
His words may have stunned some, but for those of us who knew him through the Mental Health Warrior Program, the authenticity was undeniable. This wasn’t just poetry; it was a battle cry of transformation.
As the applause faded, Rambo offered a quiet smile and met my gaze. “Thanks for showing me this path, Bruce,” he said, his voice steady yet filled with the weight of someone who had discovered a new way to live.
He let out a small chuckle. “Never thought I’d be standing in a library reading a poem about feelings… but here I am. Turns out, letting emotions in makes a person stronger, not weaker!”
A Few Words on the Power of Self-Help from Rambo
Rambo took a moment to share his journey—the ultimate warrior, softened by newfound wisdom.
“You know,” he began, “I’ve spent most of my life facing down enemies on the outside. But the battles that really mattered? They were the ones inside. I spent years avoiding my feelings, not realizing they weren’t weaknesses—they were tools. Allies, even. And once I stopped running from them, they led me to a better place.”
For a man once defined by grit and muscle, this shift wasn’t just a new mindset—it was a transformation. By embracing the self-help approach of a Mental Health Warrior, he had found his way out of the darkness. No more running from pain, anger, or sadness—now, he let them in, let them teach him, and used them to make himself stronger.
“By accepting each emotion, I started winning battles I didn’t even know I was fighting. Fear doesn’t stop me anymore—I let it guide me. Sadness? It just reminds me I’m human. And love...well, that one’s still new, but I’m working on it,” he added with a laugh.
Leaving the Library Inspired
As the poetry event wrapped up, Rambo was swarmed by fans and a few curious skeptics who couldn’t quite reconcile the rough-and-tumble soldier with the poet they’d just seen. He handled it with the grace of someone who’s found inner peace as a Mental Health Warrior.
Finally, as we made our way out of the library, Rambo turned to me. “Thanks for the program, Bruce. Never thought I’d say it, but this whole emotions thing...it’s powerful! More powerful than any weapon I’ve ever held.”
With that, we parted ways, each heading back to our respective battles, armed not with guns or grit alone, but with the power of our emotions.
And for anyone out there wondering if they have it in them—let Rambo’s journey to becoming a Mental Health Warrior be your inspiration. Starting today, embrace your emotions. They aren’t the enemy—they give you the power to triumph over life’s challenges and build the life you really want!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
*NOTE: If you are looking for other poems and empowering insights, check out my book “Thoughts to Ponder on Mental Health Disorders”
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