During military service we walked a path defined by discipline, strategy, and vigilance. The profession of arms is the warrior’s way—shaped by training, honed by experience, and reinforced by the culture of military service. But what happens when the mission ends? When the uniform is set aside and the battlefield is no longer external, but internal?
Emerging from Shadow, is about that journey—a transformation from warrior to healer. It is a path some have walked, and is worth exploring openly to help others on their own journey. The shift is not just a career change; it is an unpacking of identity to forge something new. It is about confronting our Shadows, integrating the past, and emerging with a purpose beyond the self.
The Call to Transformation
Jungian psychology highlights individuation—the process of integrating the unconscious with the conscious mind to become a whole self. For those of us who have lived by the creeds and values of the profession of arms, individuation often begins with the call to adventure and culminates in a crisis before we can find our way back home. The crisis may be a moment of doubt, an experience that shakes our foundation, or simply the realization that our original calling which we used to define ourselves no longer serves us.
For me, the call to transformation came in subtle ways at first. A lingering sense of wandering. A growing awareness that many of the skills and habits that once propelled me in my work as a Special Agent were now barriers to connection, growth, and healing. This created a need to reconcile and deconflict my past with the present and my future. This call is not unique to me—it echoes in the hearts of many who have stood where I stood.
The Challenge of Letting Go
Letting go of the warrior mindset does not mean abandoning its strengths. For me, it means learning to wield them differently. The discipline, resilience, and clarity that once served in conflict can be powerful tools for healing—both for ourselves and for others. But this requires acknowledging the cost of the path we have walked. It means confronting the suppressed emotions, the moral injuries, and the identity crisis that often accompany transition from military service.
This blog series will explore this journey, integrating personal experiences with psychological insights. Each week, I will examine a new facet of the transformation process, moving from the structured world of the warrior to the nuanced realm of the healer. Along the way, I will introduce cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavior (DBT) strategies—tools that have not only helped me but can also serve as guides for others walking this path.
Reflection Exercise
I would love to offer the chance to come along with me as I explore this journey by participating in a weekly exercise. This week we will start by taking a moment to reflect:
- Have you ever felt a call to transformation? How would you describe it?
- What aspects of your past self feel misaligned with where you are today?
- How do you define strength, and has that definition changed over time?
Be sure to check back next week for an exploration of the making of a warrior—the early influences that shape the identities of war fighters and the ways in which they prepare us for, and sometimes hinder, transformation.
Thanks for joining me as I work to tell the story of emerging from the shadows.
Your thoughts?
This journey is not one we take alone. I would love to hear about your journey. You can comment below or email me at jon@tacticstotalwellness.com
If you found this helpful, you can read all of my Daily Reflections at www.tacticstotalwellness.com/blog
You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter to get a simple email on Sunday with links to my explorations and reflections over the past week. https://tacticstotalwellness.com/news-letter/
