The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Saturday, February 27, 2010

PBS' 'This Emotional Life': Why Soldiers Drink


If we are all connected, then the act of taking a human life has to be one of the most traumatic experiences possible. Even if we are not, the daily risking of life has to strip away illusions most of us aren't even aware of, which buffer many of us from existential despair. Our warriors stand between us and chaos, and the price they pay can be staggering. But they are really outliers--we all deal with fear, and fatigue, and loss. We commonly anesthetize ourselves with drugs, alcohol, food, or meaningless activities. It is damned hard to face the realities of existence, let alone do it with joy and commitment to the future. But we must, or our children will suffer. So...either we will numb ourselves to sleep, or awaken to clarity and love. The choice is ours.



www.realherosjourney.com
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

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