Randomness from a sleep deprived mind right before crashing

Recent events and friends of mine have reminded me it is essential for a balanced state to have certain essential needs met. But what one person needs is different from what another person needs. And by needs I'm not talking about those required for survival but items, qualities, characteristics, environments, etc. required in order to obtain a healthy balanced life emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritual.

For me, one of those needs is touch. And I am very much not getting that need met as of late. Hugs are nice. Cuddling with the child does help some. But I am talking intentional, purposeful touch. It could be through massage or piling with a group of friends to watch a movie, or laying in bed late one morning in order just to be together. I have noticed the shift in my behavior and small changes in my way of thinking when I am deprived of that touch. I crave it and it makes me edgy when I don't get it, and even more skittish when there is the possibility that I might. Contradictory to that though, I have a hard time relaxing into it because I don't know when it will be taken away from me again.

So that got me thinking, if this is how I feel without touch, how is it with the soldiers and families coming home? How do the spouses feel and react? Do the do the same as I; do they want it so badly they want to dive into it but are too scared because the soldier may have to leave again and...well it is a vicious cycle. What about the soldiers? My opinion is that touch with another human is a natural instinct that society tries to place stigmas on at times. This is especially true in the military. No PDA allowed.

I am going to have to pull out my research paper I did while in school on Massage for PTSD. It was on my other computer that crashed. I think I have my notes and a hard copy somewhere. Someone remind me in the morning. I'll have to write more on this when my mind is recovered from no sleep.

You never know until you try

Tuesday I followed my own advice of "you never know until you try". I had been aware of Vets 4 Vets program (www.vets4vets.com) for a while but didn't think I'd qualify to start/lead a group in the area because I had gotten out of the military to be a mom before getting deployed to the 'Great Sandbox'. Following my own advice I decided to go ahead and send them an email explaining my situation anyway and see what I could do.

"I may not be able to provide the same peer support as someone who has been deployed, but I do know that I am great at creating environments"

Lo and behold if I was NOT shot down right away. I have a phone conference for Monday afternoon. I am very excited and a little nervous.

After looking through the local resources I feel that Vets4Vets will fit in here wonderfully. We have Wright Patterson AFB plus Army and Marine units here that deploy regularly. There are a LOT of active duty, veteran, and reservists individuals in this area. I am surprised that there isn't a group here already! Additionally, I really think that the experience of going through one of these workshops would be extremely valuable to give me a better idea of what is going to be needed for the future. I can only hope.

From their website:

Mission
Vets4Vets is a non-partisan veteran organization dedicated to helping Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans feel good about themselves and heal from any negative aspects of service and war through the use of peer support.

Vision
Our primary goal is to help Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans understand the value of peer support and to regularly use peer support to express their emotions, manage their challenges and ease their reintegration into society. Our vision is that anytime a veteran needs to talk with someone who really understands, a local Vets4Vets peer support group is available at no cost. We envision Vets4Vets being a common name in the minds of all veterans as a place where they, and their comrades, can go to heal.

We Believe:

• Sharing personal experiences with those who have shared similar experiences is a powerful healing tool.


• Peer support does not require professionals.


• Peer support can take place in many formats including weekend workshops, one-on-one and in small or large groups.


• By taking equal and uninterrupted turns we benefit by both listening and speaking.


• By expressing the feelings associated with our experiences, we help each other heal.


• In providing an environment that is confidential, safe, and accepting.


• Taking part in positive community action, of their choosing, empowers veterans to further promote healing and reach out to other veterans.


• Use of drugs and alcohol hinders real emotional healing.

I really believe that my goals fall right in line with their approach. I sincerely hope I can work with them.

More links from friends

I posted my website on FaceBook for my friends and lovely SK gave me another link to put up: http://www.operationhomefront.net/

Wendy told me to check out Common Ground in New York. This is one place I definitely want to go visit myself and see first hand the work they are doing: www.commonground.org

While looking through that site I found Change.org which may help when this thing is really up and running. It may also be a great networking resource.

I will randomly be going through all the other links I have posted and write my own review of them. If anyone has been to any of these sites and would like to share their opinion of them, whether the information was helpful or not helpful, whether you have used the organization and if they were helpful or not, etc I would LOVE your input.

I have not uploaded a list of literature nor any of the multitude of YouTube videos out there. Please suggest something you think would be beneficial.

I also heard that The Real World has a Vet on this season. As I only get the channels you get with an antenna I would appreciate anyone's review or thoughts on how that is going.

Excitement and Trepidation

So here it is, the beginning baby steps towards a bigger dream. Welcome to this space. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and any suggestions.