As we close out National Police Week 2021, let's take a few minutes to show our appreciation for those who serve and have served. Let us remember those who sacrificed their physical bodies through injury, their psychological welfare through continual expose to trauma, and sometimes even their lives to serve all of us.

Let us be grateful - not just in passing thought, but in action. I challenge you to seek out a law enforcement officer and thank them for everything they do - keeping in mind the constant attacks and scrutiny they face by the mainstream media, social media giants, politicians and activist groups. 

Police work, despite what you see in the media, is an ever-evolving societal necessity. Nearly all police officers desire MORE training, better equipment, and stronger resources to do their jobs effectively. They are NOT the enemy - they are fallible human beings who are doing the very best they can with what they are given to work with. 

Support the podcast by checking out my friends at Origin Maine! They produce 100% American made clothing, jiu-jitsu gis, workout supplies, and nutritional supplements. Use the link below, as well as my promo code NORWOOD10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order. In return, Origin Maine helps to financially support the podcast and keep it on the air. 

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PROMO CODE: NORWOOD10

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In this quick episode, I discuss a strategy that has been extremely helpful in my journey to overcome the lingering impacts of trauma and mental hardships. Building up Resiliency Capital in the bank of our minds is incredibly important, as you will need to draw from these reserves when life hands you more than you feel you can handle. 

Just as we save financially for a rainy day, or for life goals such as buying a home, we must keep our resilience reserves stocked and ready for immediate withdrawal when needed. 

I hope you enjoy the show!

Oh! And if you are enjoying the podcast, you can help out a great deal with our increasing costs by making a purchase from my friends over at Origin Maine! They manufacture all of their products right here in the USA with American sources materials by American workers. Use this link to save 10% and Origin Maine will give a portion of the sale back to the podcast to help keep our operational costs down!

 https://originmaine.com/?ref=Chaos&utm_source=affiliate

One of the things I have always struggled with is not being good at things right away. Certain things always came easy - but, the things that didn't, I usually would quit. This was true with sports, jiu-jitsu, and almost even producing this podcast!

In this quick Monday Minute, I talk about the importance of embracing being a beginner. Don't be afraid to suck at something new! 14 years ago, I quit jiu-jitsu... Imagine where I would be right now if I hadn't?! I would certainly be a black belt. Yet, because of my ego and pride, here I am starting over at white belt. But I'm not choosing to focus on what might have been...but instead, the potential of all to come by NOT being afraid to suck at it and learn at my own pace. 

I am proud of announce my partnership with Jocko Willink and Origin Maine! Check out their 100% American Made clothing, jiu-jitsu gis and nutritional supplements. Support the podcast and save 10% on your entire order by using this link:

https://originmaine.com/?ref=Chaos&utm_source=affiliate

Rationalization is one of our most powerful enemies. It will tell you that you deserve a break - when you don't. It will tell you that you can slack off on a responsibility - when you can't. It will convince you to quit - when quitting could change your life for the worse, forever. 

We constantly bargain with ourselves... 

I worked out hard yesterday, so I can skip the gym and have that donut today. Bogus rationalization. 

I had a stressful week - I deserve to get drunk off my ass. Bogus rationalization.

That other person is much more qualified for that promotion. It would be stupid to even pursue. Bogus rationalization.  

I suck at this new hobby. It is a waste of time to try to get better. Bogus rationalization.

And those are just the first few that immediately came to my mind that I have used OVER AND OVER AGAIN. But - these self-deceiving rationalizations can have SEVERE consequences. I know - I have suffered many.

I don't have all the answers. But I have made enough mistake to know a thing or two about the dangers of rationalization. We need to be in TOTAL WAR against it - fighting it without mercy. It is relentless. The war will never end. But - if you recognize the enemy when it attacks, you can stand your ground and defeat it. One bullshit rationalization at a time...

Don't be a liability.

Let's talk about it...

After bring injured while working as a police officer during the arrest of a combative suspect, I underwent multiple surgeries that ultimately failed to fix the issue. My surgeon recently told me I may never do the things I once enjoyed doing - like shooting (both firearms and a bow,) kayaking, sailing, jujitsu or lifting weights. I was told the arthritis is bad... and will only get worse. Options moving forwarded are limited to a complete bone fusion or a full wrist replacement.

I caught myself feeling sorry for myself... then, I called myself out on my own bullshit.

People with conditions and circumstances that make mine look like a walk in the park overcome adversity and do incredible things each and every day. It's all about mindset. Embracing the suck. Staring adversity in the eye, giving it a dual single finger salute, and getting after it.

There are times when "sucking it up" is the wrong move - when our mental health is at risk, for example. It's in those times we use that same level of bravery and tenacity to be humble enough to reach out for help. We help ourselves by allowing someone else to help us. When we are healthy mentally, we can utilize that mental strength to change our mindset from victim, to victor.

This episode is brought to you by my good friend's company - a former police officer, an incredible father and awesome husband. Sylvester's All American Seasoning. It is literally one of the best BBQ rubs I have ever used... which is why I promote his company on my show FOR FREE. I don't get a single dime. My reward comes from watching his business grow. Phil is a stand-up guy - and that shows in the quality of his product! You can find Sylvester's All American Seasoning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylvesters.seasonings/?hl=en

Ever wonder if your child is being honest about doing her homework? If your co-worker is on track to finish a task in time? If a contractor is trying to rip you off? If a crime victim is telling you all they know?

This podcast takes a basic interviewing principal I learned in a law enforcement interview/interrogation course and brings it to the civilian world. In a VERY short, 20 minute, crash course format.

Sometimes, you gain MUCH more for the way an answer to a question is delivered, rather than the contents of the answer itself. In this episode, I teach you how simply changing the way you ask a question can lead you to the answers you seek...

Let's Talk About It... 

Several of my listeners reached out regarding the status of the podcast. It has been two months since I recorded an episode. Like so many of us, life can be difficult, challenging and place roadblocks up that sometimes require us to take a step back, re-evaluate, and re-engage. 

This episode was incredibly difficult to record. These words are incredibly difficult to type. The horror of the last couple of weeks has been unimaginable. 

Nothing could prepare me for the news I received on February 9th, 2021. My son, who left California at 18 years-of-age to start a new life in northern Nevada was sitting in a jail cell, accused of murder.

A young man lost his life - and, all early evidence points to my son as the reason.

As a father, I am haunted by a tidal wave of varying emotions - I place myself in the shoes of the family who are burying their 19-year-old son. I imagine the anger, pain, and desire for justice that young man's father is certainly feeling. As a strong proponent of justice myself, I do all I can to reconcile the pain of my own emotions, while experiencing extreme guilt for those feelings. It is futile to wish to bring back another man's child from the grave. All I can do is simply empathize with his desire for justice, while still loving my son with the unwavering heart of a father. Making no excuse for his actions, while trying to sort out what emotions are appropriate and justified. 

This podcast does zero justice to this topic. There is no avoiding this topic, nor should it be avoided. I do not have the answers. I only know to cling to the internal fortitude and resources that have pulled me through previous dark times. This situation pales in comparison to any of those experiences - but, I do know the way out of the darkest of times is being mindful of things you can control, relinquishing the need to control the things we cannot control, and constantly reminding yourself of the difference between the two. This is the key to resilience.   

My deepest condolences go out to the family of the young man who's life was taken. There are simply zero adequate words or actions that could ever begin to make any of this right.

The holiday season is often challenging for so many of us - but, especially in these unprecedented times. So often in my life, I have been asked, "Hey man... you good?" - Only to muster up the best false confidence in my words and expression by responding, "Yeah. I'm good."

It's often the greatest lie we tell ourselves.

It's OK to not be good...it is NOT OK to stay there - or, to lie to ourselves about our condition.

Let's talk about it...

IG: @orderandchaospodcast