What is your outlet to engage the intangible spirit within us to overcome the challenges of our chosen profession?

In the military (and beyond) are lives are shaped by tangibles and intangibles that allow us to have success or face failure based the instincts with each of us. Sometimes this is a heavy burden.

Our tangible training teaches us to "push through the pain", and to truly do this you must physically train to a standard that includes training in our personal time. Whether putting in a couple extra miles after work, going for a walk in the park on a Saturday morning with a 50+ pound ruck, or spend some time a civilian range improving marksmanship skills. It is these creative efforts that improve one's chance at success when when faced the trail by fire that is inevitable.

But often our intangible outlets are not as refined. All service branches have reading lists, and there good leaders who conduct training like guided discussions and classes that shape the intangibles of those led. But there is very little personal creative initiative or encouragement there of, to continue to improve in one's personal time, like is done with the tangible endeavors.

Knowing this I set out to increase my intangible means to "push through the pain". For me this outlet became the following poem:

See (By John O’Donnell)

See what you are and what you want to become.
See where you are and where you want to go.
See who you are and who you have been.
See if you are and if you are not,
See if you can and if you cannot...then ask why?

See through today and into tomorrow,
But don't make tomorrow's debts today’s burden.
See yesterday and the day before,
But dwell on the pain no more.
See Integrity as the sword and honor that sheath,
then fight the battles with only your belief.

See your failure and success as one piece of fruit from the same tree, then smile and breathe without ever calling for retreat.
See that the strongest walls are not of plaster and stone,
but are the ones made of skin and bone.
See hope through pain, and laughter through tears,
then step forward toward the years.
See their hand touch yours, and your hand touch theirs,
Then realize that’s the “what for”?
See their heart touching your heart and your heart touching theirs,
Then know that there is so much more.

See death and see life,
And allow both to be your guide.
See war and see peace
And never fear the days in between.
See serenity through acceptance, courage, and wisdom
And count all three for reason in your kingdom.

See your effort in every day,
See your truth in every moment.
See the right in all things, reason, and time,
then count the seasons as they pass you by.
See you through your years' as the man that claimed each day,
And then just wave and smile without a word to say.

My believe is that there must be many service members that may have other creative effort examples that improve their intangible prowess. I hope to hear about them.


"If you nurture your mind, body, and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more."

-Brian Koslow