It all started on one of those gloomy mornings when depression decided to show up uninvited. I woke up with that heavy, familiar feeling pressing down on me, trying to convince me that today was going to be a total wash. Even as the founder of the Mental Health Warrior Program—a SELF-HELP approach I built after twenty years of battling Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety, and PTSD—there are still days when I feel like I need a fellow warrior to give me a nudge.
And who better to call for backup than John Wick himself? So, I sent him a text: “Hey, John, depression’s knocking, and it’s looking for trouble!”
Within minutes, he was on my doorstep—not as the relentless hitman we all know, but as a calm, collected Mental Health Warrior, ready to help a friend out. Over coffee, I laid it all out: how depression was stirring up old financial worries, poking at past mistakes, and nudging me toward that all-too-familiar spiral.
I admitted, “Look, I know I’ve taught these lessons a hundred times, but today, I just need a reminder from someone who gets it.”
John nodded, his serious-but-supportive expression straight out of his playbook for countless revenge missions. “Alright,” he said, “let’s walk through three lessons together—ones that will help you move forward from depression and take back control!”
Lesson 1: Depression Lies
John reminded me of something I’ve said countless times but needed to hear that day: depression has one goal — to make you feel powerless, as though nothing will ever change. With a steady voice, he recited my own advice back to me: “Depression tries to trap us in a loop of negative thoughts, convincing us that we’re stuck. But you, Bruce, you’re a Mental Health Warrior. You’ve got tools. You’ve got solutions.”
And just like that, I remembered the Truth: Depression lies... I’m Not Powerless! I thought back to the financial worries that depression had been magnifying. Sure, I’d faced financial setbacks — who hasn’t? — but those challenges didn’t define me. Today, I had the power to address them. It was like snapping out of a fog. The truth is, I’ve built these tools to take control of my day, not to hand it over to depression on a silver platter.
My Takeaway:
I turned to John as the fog began to lift. “You’re right,” I said. “Today, I’m not letting this take over. It’s just a thought, not my reality.”
Lesson 2: Take Action (Yes, Even a Sandwich Counts)
This is where John shined a light on the next step. “Look,” he said, “when things feel out of control, the best thing you can do is just get up and move. You’d be surprised what a simple action can do. Remember when you told me to just make a sandwich? I thought it was ridiculous at first, but it works.”
So, we made sandwiches. Nothing fancy—just some bread, turkey, cheese, and a slice of tomato for a touch of class. But with each step—slicing, layering, and assembling—I felt more grounded, like I was literally building my day back together one slice at a time.
As we munched, I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, sitting with John Wick, eating a sandwich to battle depression. But it was working. My mind felt clearer, my thoughts more focused, and that looming financial worry didn’t seem quite as large. Taking action, however small, had pulled me back into the present.
My Takeaway:
“Moving works,” I said between bites. “I’m not sure how a sandwich is a weapon against depression, but here we are.” John nodded with his signature calm. “It’s all about momentum,” he said. “Once you get your body moving, your brain will follow.”
Lesson 3: Attack the Problem Head-On
Feeling energized, we moved on to the final lesson: tackling the problem that depression was using as ammo. John, ever the warrior, laid out the plan with precision: “Now that you’re grounded, it’s time to face the problem head-on. Break it down and find solutions. What are three ways you can address this financial worry right now?”
I paused to think, jotting down ideas as they came to me. First, I could reach out to a financial advisor to get a clear picture of my situation. Second, I’d set up a small savings plan to build a sense of security. And third, I’d take inventory of my monthly spending to identify easy areas to cut back.
Seeing these steps in writing brought an immediate sense of relief. The problem was no longer an abstract weight pressing down on me—it was something tangible and manageable.
John glanced over my list with an approving nod. “Good. Now, every time you start to feel overwhelmed, come back to this list. You have a direction. Depression wants you to feel stuck, but you’re moving forward.”
My Takeaway:
I thanked him, feeling more like myself again. Each step we took together had stripped away the layers of doubt and fear that depression had built up. With John’s help, I had turned a dark, overwhelming morning into a manageable day. The problem was still there, but it wasn’t controlling me anymore. I was the one in charge.
John’s Take on Each Lesson
As we wrapped up, I asked John how he used these steps in his own life. He smirked, reflecting on his own chaotic journey. “When I feel lost,” he said, “I remind myself that the battles aren’t just out there—they’re inside, too. And I’ve got the tools to fight back.”
For Lesson 1, he admitted that he sometimes fell into the trap of thinking he was alone in his struggles, but he’d learned that wasn’t true. Recognizing the lie was his first step toward overcoming it.
Lesson 2 was all about action for him. “Sometimes, just getting up is the hardest thing,” he said. “But once I’m moving, I feel like I’m back in control.”
As for Lesson 3, John lit up. “Strategy is everything. Every problem can be broken down—you just have to tackle it piece by piece. That’s how you turn something overwhelming into something manageable.”
Thriving, Not Just Surviving
With our sandwiches finished and our spirits lifted, John glanced at his watch. “I should get back to it,” he said, standing up. “There’s always another rescue, another mission.” But he paused, giving me one last look. “You’ve got this, Bruce. Depression might knock, but you don’t have to let it in!”
I smiled, grateful for the support. “Thanks, John. And you’re right. Today, I’m a Mental health Warrior and in control. Depression doesn’t stand a chance.” As John walked out, I felt the weight lift even further. This day had transformed, all because of a little support, a sandwich, and some shared wisdom.
And as I dove into my to-do list with newfound energy, I realized that this was what the Mental Health Warrior Program was all about — not just surviving, but THRIVING, one day at a time!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
留言