Flexibility. Resilience. Perseverance.

January 2021

By Jenny Lynne Stroup, Outreach Coordinator

I have a love/hate relationship with these words.

I am grateful that they describe the community I am proud to be part of, also I wish that same community didn’t consistently provide me with so many opportunities to flex those skills.

My military life has been one big “Semper Gumby” opportunity. An opportunity that was only exacerbated by the pandemic in 2020 and once again flexed the resilience and perseverance muscles I’ve grown over the years.

I say this not to make light of this period of history we find ourselves in, but instead to shine a light on the many ways military life prepared me for a year that no one saw coming. So, when I look at this fresh new year, the unblemished pages in my planner, the lofty goals I’ve penned, I know that the one thing I can count on is that things will change - which is why I only write my plans in pencil.

Yet, we were made for this - through trainings, workups, deployment cycles, geo-baching, and a TAD or two on the fly, we, the military community were made for the extenuating circumstances of 2020.

So, I dare say, we have the opportunity to lead others well in the new year.

So, this year, as you pencil in your goals or resolutions, I encourage you to put you and your mental health at the top of the list - perhaps in ink.

Whatever 2021 may bring, I am confident that you are undoubtedly and uniquely equipped to meet the highs and lows of the new year with the flexibility, resilience, and perseverance required.

Go first. Lead well. Onward and upward. Happy New Year.

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In the News

Ashley Tatum, pictured below, served in the U.S. Navy for nine years and continues to serve the military community as a case manager at our Cohen clinic.

After experiencing the military to civilian transition, Ashley realized how important it was to have a strong support system, and realized her passion was to help veterans struggling with mental health. She started college at National University and earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, which ultimately led her to obtain her current role. As our case manager, Ashley helps other veterans by connecting them to resources in the community that will ensure their success.

Learn more about Ashley’s transition journey: https://bit.ly/38tYDTk

"Whatever 2021 may bring, I am confident that meeting its challenges and its joys will be much easier when I am gentle with myself while also holding myself accountable to a list that feels attainable."

Read more about what our Outreach Coordinator, Jenny Lynne, says about entering the new year.