Happy Sunday from the beach!  Thank you for joining me as I launch my new blog; sundaymorningwithjohn.com !   I am looking forward to sharing my insight on life, health, food, fitness, mental health and more every week.

I will be discussing my life and journey over the upcoming weeks and months.  I want to share what has and has not worked for me in all areas of life.  I offer a unique and unbiased perspective.  This is not about political affiliations, religion or business.  It really is all about life, my life and what I have experienced along the way.  I have had my share of ups and downs, sadness and happiness and all that comes with it.  Circumstances can change from moment to moment.  Life is made up of great times and some not so great.  How we deal with those “not so great” times reveals our true character and strength.  We can fold under the pressure, or we can stand tall and resolve each issue as it arises.  Allowing each life event to be a lesson in learning can strengthen us, bringing us more inner peace and happiness. 

Showing our emotions and allowing ourselves to feel happy or sad is an important part of our nature.  It is a universal factor for all humans.  This is life!  It is meant to be experienced and lived.  Do not hold back!  I suppressed my emotions far too long.  Childhood and situations growing up contributed to some of those fears.   My career as an adult had an even more significant impact on me suppressing my emotions.  When we suppress our emotions it only serves to make life more difficult and challenging.  Holding emotions in and closing yourself off only creates more negativity within us.  It affects how we live, love and allow ourselves to open to others.  Emotions can invoke great happiness or sadness.  When we release and allow our emotions to be experienced, only then are we truly living.  Coupled with experiencing emotions and having passion; is balancing ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually.

My weekly blogs will provide insight, structure, plans and lots of encouragement to move you forward in a positive direction.  We all experience sadness, stress, anxiety, fear and sometimes depression.  There are so many life events that can bring us down.  Some issues can be complex, while the vast majority can be simple daily issues that cause negativity in our life.  Believe me, you are not alone.  During my nearly 34 year career in law enforcement, I have had my bouts with all of these.  I have experienced and lived through so much negativity, trauma and sadness; nearly daily.  I will share insight and first hand views into my career as we progress down the road.  My life is so much more different now than it was during those days.  Help and assistance is readily available, beginning here with me. 

Retirement brought an entirely new transition for me.  The search for peace and harmony was illusive.  Eventually a friend brought me to yoga.  My yoga practice blossomed into meditation, breathing exercises and the search for more information and knowledge.  I went on to become certified as a Reiki practitioner.  I ultimately sought out Yoga Teacher Training and gained my certification.  I have taught yoga, in a local studio and at a senior living apartment setting.  Both brought great joy and satisfaction.  While all of my training and yoga practice brought new found peace, my mind and body were still troubled from my past. 

Life, happiness and sadness continue to happen.  The sadness within me brought new motivation to resolve my trauma and negative issues of my past.  In the beginning of 2018 I began counseling.  The sessions brought new enlightenment.  The therapist suggested EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy).  It is often used for trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) victims.   I will discuss this in much greater detail in the coming weeks.  EMDR therapy turned out to be my saving grace.

We have witnessed an increase in suicides, for law enforcement, first responders and our military personnel.  The trauma and sadness these individuals see on any given day takes a significant toll on their health, both mentally and physically.  The stress and emotional impact is real.  The sadness continues as I read about an increasing suicide rate among teens and young adults.   Mental health needs to be our priority.

Next week I will begin my discussion with mental health.  This topic will spawn many other subjects that all play a role in our health; mentally, physically and spiritually.  Exercise, nutrition, nature, rest and a variety of daily activities all play a significant role in our mental health.  I will share more about my life and career.  I want you to see it and hopefully understand it better than you think you do.  It will be a first hand look inside through my eyes.  The pain, suffering and trauma we experience can be successfully resolved and processed by our brain.  We do not need to keep it locked up inside our mind, doing more damage to our health.  I will share what ultimately brought me to counseling and EMDR therapy.  There is help and assistance available.  The first step is reaching out.  I am here to extend my hand and help you.            

We all share this planet.  Our time here is brief and life really is a blessing.  We can all make a positive difference in the world.   We, as humans, need to start spreading harmony, solidarity and peace.  We just have to try.

Enjoy a fabulous day!  I look forward to sharing more with you next Sunday!