Do you and your spouse, family, and friends have the same vocabulary? We often think that our words and their definitions are universal yet in marriage, especially during time of stress and trauma, all words have meaning but may have different definitions. Learn how to develop a special vocabulary for your family that has words that you agree on together. Never assume that what you say means the same thing. You know where that actually leads!

Life is complicated so it is important to keep things simple, especially our communication. As a First Responder, when talking with your family, using simple words to express your thoughts, concerns, and emotions will create a basic bridge over which each of you can walk. Here are some tips to help in the construction of this simple safe bridge of a communication.

What happens when you have a traumatic day as a First Responder and your family wants you to talk about it? How can you share what has happened without traumatizing them? When your communication becomes SAF, you are then able to share freely. Today is the introduction of a 6 part series that will help to move your communication to a SAF-er level.

There is something about a bonfire that brings people together. What are the lessons you learned in life that help you now face the "fires" of life? Listen to some lessons from DR. Dan Middlebrooks about keeping the fire in you that helps to light you way through a dark night.

Are you a First Responder that likes to live "on the edge"? There are steps you have to consider to ensure that the edge of life does not become a slippery slope of compromise. Think on these words of encouragement from Dr. Dan Middlebrooks.

In a life that "bats" you around, how can we choose to live a life "On Purpose"? Consider these thoughts from DR. Dan Middlebrooks on how the blows of life can make you move farther and faster toward success.

When you open a bag of chips, how much of it is chips and how much of it is air? When you pack away traumas in life in your heart's storage room, how much of the box is the event and how much of it is the "air of emotion"? Consider these thoughts to help let the air out and keep the big boxes of traumas from filling up the house of your heart!

In a time when it seem like the treadmill of life keeps speeding up, how can you "stop and smell the roses"? The power of the pause is not just a way to slow down, it is also a way to learn how to run fast after you have refreshed your heart. 

As a Frist Responder, you have to deal with a lot of garbage type situations. How do you keep the smell from the outside trash from seeping deep into your heart and, as a result, comes out of your mouth? Here are some thoughts to keep you attitude clear and your heart clean.

When we get to the heart of the problem, it is usually the heart that is the problem. This is especially true when you are a First responder. During an average year for our Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, Military, EMS/medical, and Security, they will see more trauma than others will see in a life time. With a constant bombardment of chaos, pain, and death, how can they protect their heart from coming apart. "Hero's Heart" is a reminder that every First Responder is not ordinary but extraordinary. The simple tips provided by Dr. Dan Middlebrooks, a retired US Army Chaplain of 26 years and researcher in Traumatology, will help safeguard the greatest piece of equipment these Warriors have, their heart!