Women Empowering Women In Development’s Post

The only thing that has more worth than my word is another human life. This is one of the maxims I live my life by. Good to see that there are others out there with a similar philosophy. When you take a responsibility your are giving your word to the stakeholders: your boss, your client, your family member, your friend... in fact, to anyone. But when your word is also a representation of your inner core values, it's not just a thing you say you need to do because you are now forced to do it by giving your word... 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼. A value system is just that: placing a ethical/moral value to actions. If you are honest about how you set up your value system and interiorise it, then making tough ethical decisions is not an issue, it comes out naturally. Well done Alexander Held. Many can learn from your example. 😎 👍👍👍

Don't go to war without guidance. Victory depends on having many advisors. In the 90's the last place I wanted to be assigned to was Governors Island. I lacked the big picture and let unhelpful external forces (inconvenience, opinions, etc) dictate my path. I ended up on GI, things weren't so bad. But I left it up to luck. Relying on luck and drifting through life is no way to live. Want to know how character can help you stop drifting through life? View my recent blog. https://lnkd.in/gK2iW3HW #Character

After leaving the military, instead of taking a corporate job, I decided to start my own business. Stepping into this new role felt like stepping into the unknown (and honestly, most days it still does). There have been moments when I’ve wanted nothing more than to run back to the safety of 'the known' I had in the Air Force and put my uniform back on. As a business owner and speaker, I’m now finding myself in situations where I have to prove myself in ways I haven’t needed to for years. In the military, the rank, ribbons, and reputation I built over time spoke for me. My proving days felt long behind me. And while I loved the certainty, structure, and sense of belonging that uniform gave me, if I'm being honest, it was also a kind of armor. I could hide behind it. Taking it off forced me to face the reality of stepping into new spaces without that protection. I won’t lie—it’s been uncomfortable. I’ve found myself holding back, playing small at times, uncertain of how to show up without the security of that uniform. It’s tempting to want to cling to the armor of titles, past accomplishments, and the reputation I’d built. But here’s the truth: that armor can also hold us back. It can keep us from embracing the uncertainty and the challenges that come with stepping into something new. The real challenge isn’t in holding on to what made us feel safe in the past—it’s in letting go of that armor and stepping forward as we are, ready to grow into the unknown. So here I am, navigating this new chapter without the uniform. It’s uncomfortable at times, but shedding that armor is exactly what we need to move forward. What armor do you want to let go of? #selfwork #embracechange #lifesjourney #overcomingobstacles #findyourpurpose

True (but unfortunate) story: John was a veteran who struggled when transitioning from military to civilian life. Just like many of us, he thought his years of experience and discipline would make the switch seamless. John served as an officer in the U.S. Army for over 8 years, including 13 months in active combat duty in Iraq. But the world outside the uniform came with its own set of challenges that nothing could have prepared him for. After leaving the military, he felt a profound sense of aimlessness and tried multiple career paths, including law school, corporate finance, and real estate. Nothing felt right, leading him into a deep depression. At his lowest, he considered becoming one of the 22 veterans that take their lives every day. Let's take a moment to remember all our brothers and sisters who don’t make it or don’t get the chance to make it home. The reality is, things don’t always end well after a life of service. And this is why I started The Stronghold. To help stop the cycle of our brothers and sisters not getting the support they deserve. The system uses us and then throws us out without a thought, hoping we’ll “figure it out” with minimal support. But it’s not enough. The Stronghold is here to provide the support we all need. We’re in this together, and none of us needs to feel alone ever again. Join The Stronghold to: Avoid Common Pitfalls: Navigate the tricky landscape of civilian life with ease. Reduce Stress: Make your transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. Access Exclusive Resources: Specialized tools and advice. Connect with Peer Support: Others who truly understand your journey. Benefit from Focused Training: Courses and workshops to enhance your skills and prepare you for new opportunities. Don’t wait! To celebrate, I’m keeping the pricing the lowest it’ll ever be until Sunday, August 4th, at midnight. Plus, join before Sunday night, and you’ll be awarded founding member status, with priority pricing for as long as you stay a member. Help mold the community in the way that suits you best. I can’t wait to see you inside.

Exploring the challenges and complexities of policing, #POLICEMag spotlights the unique perspective from someone who transitioned from attending peace marches to supporting police officers as a chaplain turned counsellor. Delving into the profound impact of trauma, the former police chaplain shares sobering statistics and personal reflections on the demanding nature of police work: "Most people will encounter three or four traumatic events in their lifetimes, while a police officer will encounter 400 to 600." Read more on his thoughts and experiences 👇 https://lnkd.in/erpq_GcX

SUCCESS Stories! How can Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service help you find your success story?

A year ago today Clayton came home from an almost 10 month deployment. And this afternoon he’s leaving again for another 3 month deployment. He hasn’t been home for more than 3 months at a time in over a year. This lifestyle is incredibly hard. And to be honest it just sucks at times. Today is sad and hard for us. It never gets easier, you don’t get used to it. I have a lot of cool things happening this summer for Free Life and he won’t be here. I’ve learned a lot in the 10 years I’ve been a military spouse. Being a military family has caused us to grow. Here’s some things I’ve learned: 1. Don’t fight about the small stuff in a relationship. 2. Give lots of grace to yourself and each other. 3. It’s ok to have your feelings about anything. Feelings are ok, it’s what we do with them that matters. 4. I’m stronger and more capable than I ever thought possible. 5. The small, normal moments in life are the most precious. 6. Appreciate your people and tell them often how much you love them. My goal for today is getting through the best I can, and holding space for all the emotions that come with it.

We are in a Era where Change is Crucial to the Economy, to Agriculture, Growth and then some. We have the opportunity to to change the tone of the world. What would the world look like if we All started to Utilize our Divine Gifts? How would you contribute to change? Would you be humbled by witnessing the community sharing information with no regard for who owns the thoughts (because clearly we aren’t the first to have many thoughts)? Or, would you be Drunk off of your own power and Blatantly disregard? Can you think of a time where your Faith turned into Power Hungry instead of Thought Provoking? Of course you can. We are ALL only Human. Would you do the right thing and admit your wrong doing so you could build that Powerhouse of a person back up, or would you watch them be destroyed by words? If you are in the Latter, time to step back and reflect. Give someone else the time to shine. Did you mentor someone without diminishing their self-esteem? Maybe that person could throw in an Assist for you and help you start earning trust back from others. You see, when Wicked people Rise, Atrocious Action Follows. When those with Goodwill Rise, your actions get Cancelled out. You know the saying “There is no ‘I’ in team,” Don’t you? I’ve heard a lot of people say that and then turn around and utter, but there is a me. This kind of Naysayer Attitude will bring a whole team down. It’s Toxicity travels because of this personality of more of a dictator instead of a Leader. I love this article because it demonstrates the Value in creating meaningful relationships. Genuity Matters in all workplaces & in our every day lives. This is a demonstration of Coming together for one sole Purpose, Creating Community and when this is lost amongst a team, the whole community falls down. We must continuously nurture our relationships. We must continually share our Blessings so others may have the Opportunity and the Confidence to Succeed, break free from those heavy chains, and Hit a Homerun. All of this made possible by a group of Genuine People celebrating their common goal to create a better Culture.

📌 Reflecting on Imposter Syndrome and the Heart of the Mission at DVA In my two-month journey with the Department of Veterans Affairs, I've encountered a potent mix of imposter syndrome and passion for our mission. Constructing my individual performance agreement recently brought forth many emotions I believe many can relate to. It's not about the love for my job – that's unwavering. Instead, it's the delicate dance of reconciling my own lived experience as a veteran with the expectations within the workplace. As colleagues see caseloads as claims to be processed, my lens is shaped by a more profound connection – these are members of my military family. The challenge lies in navigating the complexities of separating personal experience from professional responsibilities. Each claim on my desk isn't just paperwork; it represents a fellow veteran navigating delays and challenges. It's a testament to the human element that transcends the typical work scope. As I construct my performance agreement, I walk a fine line. How do I articulate goals that meet the organizational objectives while ensuring the veteran experience is preserved in translation? It's a question that sits heavy on my mind, especially given the upcoming Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide and the stark reality shared by one of our veterans on Friday. He mentioned, almost off the cuff, that he was back in a mental health facility, surrounded by fellow Army and RAAF comrades. This isn't just a statistic; these individuals have unique stories, challenges, and needs. Their opinions of DVA matter, and the Royal Commission's recommendations loom large. In sharing this reflection, I intend not to dwell on the struggle but to open a conversation. How do we, as individuals deeply connected to the mission, bridge the gap between personal experiences and the broader organizational expectations? How can we ensure that the heart of our work, understanding the veterans behind the claims, remains at the forefront? I'm eager to hear your thoughts, experiences, and insights. Let's navigate this journey with empathy, authenticity, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact. #ImposterSyndrome #VeteranExperience #DVAJourney #RoyalCommission #MissionDriven #WorkplaceReflections