You may have heard the saying, you can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond. Controlling a response such as an emotional response is easier said than done, but is it possible? Absolutely. Life can feel overwhelming. When so much feels out of your control, focusing on the things that you can control, like your emotions, helps to ease your anxiety so you can think and react clearly.  When your emotions are taking over and you feel it’s too much to handle,

America is Heavy. Avoiding the heaviness silences the need to cope and be safe.

May I thank you for your service? Today, I acknowledge all veterans- all those who served and fought for a country worth fighting for. You are seen. You not only gave your time in the military, but you sacrificed…so much more than most can even begin to understand. Many gave their lives. I have had the privilege and honor of working with the Veteran population. It was in a criminal justice setting involving mental health treatment, which I think speaks to the magnitude of the