I’d like to not only lend my advice, but also share my own personal experiences on this subject in hopes of motivating a sista who’s trying to get motivated!

In Aug. of 2008 I left the military after serving 7yrs. that including one tour of duty over seas in Iraq. I wanted to take a break and do something different! After being out for about 2 to 3mo. I decided that I wanted to re-enlist and go back in. (might sound crazy to some)

When I initially joined the military I did not consult w/ anyone I just raised my hand and went in. But after getting out and then expressing to family that I wanted to go back in some had a few thoughts of there own that they wanted to share! One very close relative stated that I had already done my time and I should just stay out. Another relative expressed how dangerous the situation was over seas and that it was just getting worst. I understood my families concerns and reactions, and I love them all the more for showing their concern. Ultimately the decision was mine to make!

1. I understood that I had already served my time, because I was the one who did 7yrs. of duty.

2. I knew about the dangers that existed in combat, because I was the one deployed and in the combat zone doing 6 days on w/ one day off.

My reasoning for wanting to go back in the military was simple, ” I liked it!”

Again, I was very acquainted w/ the territory that I was exploring re-entering! Eventually I made the decision to not go back in right now. I did want to take in consideration the concerns of my loved ones, but my decision was not based off the sum of just their thoghts and feelings. I made my decision to stay out because I had already “been there, and done that!” So I wasn’t missing anything! If it were any different it probly still be egging me in the back of my mind.

My second experience which I hope you will find beneficial I just ended a 5yr. relationship. Throughout the course of it I had determined on numerous occasions that the relationship was becoming unhealthy for both of us.

But just like all couples and individuals who are in love I ignored the signs and decided to stick it out in hopes that things would change.

They didn’t! As our situation began to grow progressively worst I determined that I wanted to see other people. I surpressed the thought from my mine and continue to hang in there despite the idea that our ship was still sinking fast.

Eventually it got to the point were I couldn’t shake the thought of wanting to date other people from my mind any longer. I was growing more and more unhappy.

I knew two things were bound to happen if I kept ignoring the matter;

1. I was going to become angry, bitter, regretful, and unhappy which would lead to further issues.

2. I would end up seeing other people behind her back.

In the end I made the decision to call it quits after 5yrs. for the sake of a piece of mind.

In conclusion, if your family is supportive of you sure they’ll be upset initially, but they’ll eventually get over it and still love you anyway. They’ll still be your family whether you’re home or living abroad. The same vehicle by which you choose to leave, you can alway use to come back for visits. It will also give those same individuals or family members who are trying to keep you from leaving, or who have lived that “safe and shelter” life a opportunity to travel themselves if they’ve never done so. If they have traveled or lived abroad why deny you the experience?

I am going to send this to one of my friends. The whole while I was reading it I was thinking of her, especially “. And we sometimes have distorted images of ourselves, where we don’t see how great we really are and wonder how others can hold us in such high regard.”

Amazing!