Whispers of the Mind, Roars of the Soul: John Wick, a Gazebo, and a Mental Health Warrior Poem

I went downtown that afternoon expecting the usual — a quiet walk, familiar faces, maybe the sound of traffic drifting past the shops.

What I didn’t expect was John Wick standing in the middle of the town gazebo.

There he was, calm and composed, holding a single piece of paper. The crowd gathered slowly, unsure of what they were witnessing. John Wick — the man known for precision, intensity and unstoppable force — was preparing to read a poem.

It’s not every day you see that. John Wick? A poem?

But then again, John is a Mental Health Warrior — a man who once fought off an entire army with nothing but a pencil. And now, he was here — in broad daylight — ready to talk about something even more powerful.

EMOTIONS.

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My Warrior Journey

But that’s exactly why he was doing it. Because warriors aren’t just strong with their fists—they’re strong with their hearts. And that’s a lesson I learned through my own journey.

For 20 years, I battled Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. I felt so powerless, I tried to end my life. But in those darkest moments, I discovered something life-changing: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.

Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge!

It’s designed to help you manage your emotions, face challenges head-on and build the life you really want.

The blueprint — along with practical tools to get you started — is laid out in my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.

This approach puts you back in the driver’s seat. And trust me — it works!

Back on the stage, John scanned the crowd, locked eyes with me and nodded. Then, in a calm yet commanding voice, he began:

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Whispers of the Mind, Roars of the Soul

I hid behind the silence, afraid to be seen,

Wore a mask of strength — though cracked in between.

They told me to tough it out, “just be strong,”

So I swallowed my struggles, played along.

Each day, a battle fought behind closed doors,

A war within — uncounted scores.

Afraid that if I spoke, I’d shatter,

Afraid my pain would make me matter… less.

The weight grew heavy, a burden untold,

A whisper inside me, timid, yet bold:

"You are not weak, nor are you broken,"

But still, the world left those words unspoken.

Then one day, the silence screamed too loud,

I could no longer blend into the crowd.

I stood at the edge, lost in the fray,

But in that darkness — I found my way.

A truth emerged, steady and bright,

Like fire igniting the dead of night:

Mental health is not defeat, nor shame,

It's the warrior’s test, a battle to claim.

To feel is to fight, to speak is to stand,

To own my story with a warrior’s hand.

I was never broken, never weak —

I just needed the courage to finally speak.

And now I rise, not as a ghost,

But as the warrior I needed most.

For every challenge, every scar,

Has forged the strength of who we are.

So hear me now, loud and clear,

No more whispers — no more fear.

We are warriors, hearts unshaken,

With every step, the stigma’s breaking.

Today, we fight — not with blade or might,

But with words, with truth, with inner light.

No longer silent, no longer small,

Mental Health Warriors — we stand tall!

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The Crowd’s Reaction

The air stood still as John finished. For a moment, there was silence. Then, as if a spell had been broken, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

I turned my head, and that’s when I saw him. Winnie the Pooh. Somehow, he had snuck in from the Hundred Acre Wood, sitting on a bench near the back, nodding in approval, honey pot in hand.

“That was the bravest thing I have ever seen,” he said, in his slow, thoughtful way.

The crowd was murmuring, not just about John’s delivery, but about the message. People turned to each other, some wiping their eyes, some nudging their friends.

John stepped forward again. “Being strong doesn’t mean being silent. Being a warrior means embracing your emotions, taking action and supporting others.

And that starts with three actions we can do TODAY.”

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Action 1: Name Your Feelings to Tame Them

Warriors don’t push emotions away — they use them as information.

Unnamed emotions create chaos. They blur your focus and drain your strength. But the moment you name what you’re feeling, you create a starting point.

Anger. Sadness. Frustration. Fear.

When these show up, pause and ask yourself: What am I feeling right now?

Say it out loud or write it down. No fixing. No judging. Just recognition.

Because naming the emotion gives you something solid to work with — and that’s how you take action and stay in charge.

Action 2: Release the Pressure

Bottled-up emotions don’t disappear. They build pressure. Warriors release pressure before it explodes.

Letting emotions out doesn’t mean losing control — it means choosing a safe outlet instead of letting emotions choose for you.

How to use this today (pick one):

• 📖 Write it out — even messy, even short

• 📞 Tell someone you trust: “I had a rough day and need to talk.”

• 🎶 Listen to music that matches how you feel

Expression lightens the load. Silence makes it heavier.

Action 3: Do One Small Thing

You don’t need a complete reset to move forward. Small actions help emotions move through you instead of taking over your day.

How to use this today:

• 😞 Feeling low? Watch something that makes you laugh or connect with someone.

• 😤 Feeling frustrated? Move your body — stretch, walk, hit a workout to release tension.

• 😟 Feeling anxious? Slow your breathing. Plant your feet. Ground yourself in the moment.

Small actions, done on purpose, keep emotions from turning into something bigger.

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Wrap Up

John folded the poem and slipped it back into his pocket.

“Warriors,” he said calmly, “it starts now. No more silence. Embrace your emotions. Reach out. Stand tall.”

I looked at John Wick and Winnie the Pooh standing side by side — two warriors from vastly different worlds, yet united in the same fight.

And in that moment, I knew something had shifted. Not just in the room — but in us.

That’s why I wrote I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior. It’s the blueprint I wish I’d had sooner — real tools to help you face your emotions, take action and stay in charge of your mental health.

So today, stop hiding from your emotions and start using their power.

Stand strong. Keep moving forward. And always remember — YOU are in charge!

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!