August 6, 2020
There are no two forests the same. You can’t say a collection of trees is just another collection of trees. I’m sure you’ve noticed the amazing amount of people that have taken up walking outdoors during this Covid-19 continuation of shutdowns. Many walkers, bicyclists and joggers have hit the greenways and forests to locate their personal place of escape. On this podcast episode we revisit a forest I’ve heard nothing about, never seen yet often think of it as if it’s right in front of me. The forests of Germany during World War II. My father led many men through those trees. While in battle they had to keep their strength focused on defending as well as surviving. I know what I pull from the power of a tree in 2020. What moved through him during those moments of leadership and skill? He never spoke of the forests. In fact he never spoke of his days in battle. His life was lived like he took a vacation to Vegas. What happens there stays there. What we are failing to do in this moment of now is turning to the men and women who’ve been a huge part of this nation’s security. They know where to go when challenged with enormous amounts of uncertainty. Ask a Vet. This is a brilliant time to start having conversations. To learn from their efforts of facing the wall and knowing that no matter what happens they’ll be one step closer to victory. Reach for the experience of a Vet. The forests that they walked within. A forest of commands, orders, purpose and execution. There wasn’t time to sit around trying to turn nothing into more nothing. The mission was to make the move and stay focused on the conclusion. To face what couldn’t have been predicted. To not wait for debate to create the answer but to find the solution. Include a Vet in your journey through this. You don’t need to remind yourself every day that Covid is still looming. You don’t need to visit CNN.com to see how the protests in cities are getting closer to your front door. Yes the government and radio talk show hosts are finally saying we are in a financial recession. The men and women on the forefront of locating lasting peace don’t break down into several layers of excuses. My father, a tough SOB didn’t play games with reality. A Vet leads. It’s time to sit down and have a conversation with one or many. Talk to the men and women who know what it’s like to fight for this nation.