Hello friends

[Higher Caliber]

I know it has been a minute. Life has been ridiculous and crazy. I just wanted to let y’all know I hadn’t fallen off the planet. I check through the forums every once in a while. There always seems to be something in here I was looking for whether I knew it or not.

I transferred to another agency after almost ten years when some things I didn’t have the patience for began to happen and it was a great decision. However it is a much larger agency and the faster pace/high call volume led me to realize I wasn’t as mentally healthy as I needed to be.

I traded the tundra for a little Subaru and with the blessings of my wife (sorta) I took off in to the desert and Mountains of New Mexico for a couple of weeks. I came back a new man. Something about the mountains… I have a therapist now and she doesn’t smell like 100proof. I’m working on myself a little more every day, unpacking years of trauma I packed away.

I know a lot of us old gun toters struggle more than we care to admit. I know a lot of us  “real men” struggle more than we care to admit as well. If you are here, reading this, chances are you are a shepherd of humans whether officially or unofficially and that is one of the highest burdens to bear on earth.
 

I think I would be remiss to not share my story. I’m still employed, married, and a contributing member of society, but this spring it could have been a whole different story had I not had my “ahaa” moment and got my crap together.

I had a bit of a set back when a local men’s group I was attending ceased operations due to COVID. I was crawling under my new project truck and thought to myself, I’ve had this group all along and I should check in. So here I am. I want y’all to know as well that I am here for you and I hope you guys are all doing well. I can’t always talk, but I can always text if you need to vent or just want to shoot the bull. 417-850-2882


My simple life-

As it may be, every day is borrowed and behind every frustration is a dream not realized. I got out of the habit of making long term goals and simply live every day by three rules. 1. Leave the world better than you found it when you woke up. 2. Make someone else’s day better. 3. Be better than I was the day before.


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[stlaser]

Welcome home

[Sammconn]

Good to hear from you and God bless.

[oklawall]

You have to take care of yourself because no one else will. Keep up the good work

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[TexasRedNeck]

Blaine,  glad to hear you are well and getting better.  We are here for each other as always.  Prayers being sent your way as well.  Stay frosty.


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[Bob Smith]

Good evening old friend. Don’t know you but still a friend. Stay strong, God will always be here.

[KensAuto]

Good to hear from you Blaine. Sorry you're going through rough times. There are plenty of shoulders here.

[Atkinsmatt]

Praying for you. Good to hear from you

[Flyin6]

Blaine,
Love it that you're back
Always welcome here, always
Hey, my boy is currently in the infantry school at Benning. I was unsuccessful in trying to push him into a cockpit. He wants to be like you. I'll need your help looking forward...
Chief

[JR]

Thanks for the update. Can't tell you how many I know did the same thing because of agency issues.

Big thing is your doing better. Still got the super house???

[Higher Caliber]

Blaine,
Love it that you're back
Always welcome here, always
Hey, my boy is currently in the infantry school at Benning. I was unsuccessful in trying to push him into a cockpit. He wants to be like you. I'll need your help looking forward...
Chief

I saw that! I can’t believe he’s old enough. Hard to believe most of us have been off and on between here and the old duramax forum for roughly a decade now.


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[cj7ox]

HC, glad to hear you are getting the help you need, and prioritizing your mental health. Too many of us Sheepdogs don't have the introspection to do so, for whatever reason. I don't know you personally, but am proud that you have the courage to face "those demons", and do what it takes to combat them.

[EL TATE]

1. Leave the world better than you found it when you woke up. 2. Make someone else’s day better. 3. Be better than I was the day before.


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Great to see you around, thank you for this 1. Leave the world better than you found it when you woke up. 2. Make someone else’s day better. 3. Be better than I was the day before.

[Flyin6]

Blaine,
Love it that you're back
Always welcome here, always
Hey, my boy is currently in the infantry school at Benning. I was unsuccessful in trying to push him into a cockpit. He wants to be like you. I'll need your help looking forward...
Chief

I saw that! I can’t believe he’s old enough. Hard to believe most of us have been off and on between here and the old duramax forum for roughly a decade now.


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I know...