Resiliency, positive attitude equals positive outcome

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Tony Brock
  • 571st Contingency Response Group chief enlisted manager
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Too often our lives are hit with unexpected changes that can result in difficult and stressful times.

In my 23 years in our fine Air Force, I have personally experienced some rather tough times. When I think back, I remember feeling a sense of hopelessness and anguish. I wondered how I was ever going to get out of the black hole I had found myself in.
Well, somehow, through each of those tough times, I found my way out. I was able to bounce back and find myself a better man than I was before. As I look back, I see those times were the stepping stones that helped create the person I am today. They made me stronger, wiser and more resilient.

I recently returned to Travis after a one-year assignment to an undisclosed location. While the tour overall was great, I had to deal with some tough, life-altering issues, which at times seemed quite insurmountable. However, I got through those times by staying positive, controlling my actions and, of course, with great support from family, friends and co-workers who were there to help out this wingman.

The Air Force, and military overall, needs its warriors to be resilient. But resiliency is not something that comes in a box you can pick up at a store for $19.99. If it were, we would all be "sitting in butter." Resiliency is something you nurture through life's experiences. It is developed and fostered to be stronger and stronger with each hurdle in life you overcome, including the little ones. I believe attitude and resiliency go hand in hand. Life deals us some tough hands we are forced to play.

How we play that hand has a lot to do with the outcome. Feeling down and out consumes a lot of energy. However, what I have learned throughout the years is that while I may not be able to control what happens all of the time, I sure can control the way I deal with it.

Attitude is everything. Everyone wakes up in the morning and makes an unconscious decision on whether they are going to have a bad or good day. The first step of each day is to choose to make it a great day. Try smiling more often. Talk with your friends and co-workers about different things. Positive attitudes are infectious.

The more positive you are the more positive the people around you become and that makes for a lot of good energy. Miserable people are unfriendly creatures who can ruin your day, as well as those around you. So stay positive, take things one day at a time and take care of each other.