Within the last ten months, I had one significant emotional event that could have derailed my entire life’s work, including 21 years of military service, law enforcement, and a career supported by an active pursuit of a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice.
My professional life started when I enlisted in the U.S. Army, where I served in challenging leadership roles from a team leader to a first sergeant. I was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and several other remarkable and historic military organizations.
I had the chance to serve in several overseas assignments, including Korea, an exchange program with the Australian military, a trainer and advisor to the Thai army, and three combat deployments to Iraq.
After several key leadership roles, I transitioned to federal service as a supervisor police officer. I completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Purdue University. As a police officer, I rose through the ranks to become the Patrol Branch Chief for the Folk Polk Director of Emergency Services.
I am currently in the doctoral program at Capella University, where I have two courses left, the residence course in October 2021 and the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination in January 2022. Then, I’ll become a doctoral candidate working on my dissertation, which should take a year (all going well).
Nevertheless, one significant event could have derailed everything, which I believe could have wrecked what I have been working for over the last 25 years.
Attainable Goals
Whenever you are going through something significant, it’s essential to set clear and attainable goals. There are goals and objectives, which goals are broad and objectives are measurable.
With any adverse situation, there is a process where things are out of your control, and you have to rely on other people in order to progress. The process takes time, and during that time, your goals and objectives should be your guiding light out of the darkness.
The darkness is that situation which you found yourself in due to unforeseen circumstances or that significant event.
There’s no need to feel shame, regret, sadness, or embarrassment because everyone goes through challenging situations at times; yet, it’s not what happens that determines our destination. What happens, essentially, happens to everyone.
It’s what we do in those moments of darkness that matters. For instance, the significant event happened, now is the time to move forward.
If you find yourself in the darkness, continue to keep your eyes open because it’s only a matter of time before your eyes adjust to the darkness. In time, you will be able to see the light where your situation becomes apparently clear, and the answers to your problem are right in front of you.