Strength in Vulnerability: Rambo’s Mental Health Warrior Poem on Embracing Emotions
- Bruce Schutter
- Jun 14
- 4 min read
So there I was, making a quick pit stop at the library—expecting a quiet escape from the hustle, maybe a chance to skim through some poetry. But what do I find instead? John Rambo.
Yes, that Rambo. The man once known for combat skills, survival grit, and not exactly the type you’d expect at an open mic night. But today was different. Today, he wasn’t here for war—he was here to share a poem he wrote about the power of emotions.
I had shared my own story with him—how I spent 20 years battling Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD. I felt so powerless at times, I nearly ended my life. But in that darkness, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a bold new SELF-HELP approach designed to help people take charge of their emotions, triumph over their challenges and build the life they really want.
Like me, Rambo came to realize that true toughness isn’t just physical endurance—it’s emotional strength. And a huge part of that strength? Embracing emotions. Learning to manage them. Using them to fuel healing and action!
And now, here he was—living proof that even the toughest warriors can walk the path of vulnerability.
I took my seat among a crowd of surprised, curious listeners. The room fell silent. And with the conviction of someone who’s been through hell and found healing, Rambo stepped up to 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!”
Power of Self-Help
Rambo took a moment to share his journey—the ultimate warrior, now softened by newfound wisdom.
“You know,” he began, “I’ve spent most of my life facing 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 found his way out of the darkness.
No more running from pain, anger, or sadness—now, he lets them in, learns from them, and uses them to grow 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 battle-hardened soldier with the thoughtful poet they’d just seen.
But he handled it with the calm confidence of someone who’s found real inner peace—as a true Mental Health Warrior.
Finally, as we stepped 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 went our separate ways—each heading back to our own battles. Not with guns or grit alone, but with something far more powerful: our emotions, and the strength to use them wisely.
And if you’re out there wondering if you have it in you—let Rambo’s journey be your proof. You do. Start today. Embrace your emotions. They aren’t the enemy—they’re the key to triumphing over life’s challenges and building the life you really want!
Bruce Schutter
*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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