Many times when I am talking to people, whether in counseling or just talking, they will ask me how I deal with the stress that comes with my job? I think back to a time when I really felt small.
There was a time in my life when I sat all alone on Friday nights–in a dark apartment, with some candy and a Coke, reading a stack of comic books. This was before the blog and before I deployed to Iraq. This was my first months in the US Army.
The Army can be a very big place–especially as Chaplain of the premiere attack helicopter battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. My family was eight hours away. One of my little girls was still in the hospital–where she had been since birth. I was lonely and missed my family. I was intimidated by the high quality of Soldiers surrouning me. I was overwhelmed by my job and I felt small.
I would sit in my apartment where I found safety. I was guarded by the Justice League–where I read every exciting detail. The comic books kept me motivated to face each day. They kept my mind fresh and relaxed. The pressures around me where high. The pressure in myself was enormous. But this was leveled through an outlet that I clung to almost daily–even if it is just to glance at those comic books on the way out the door.
I had my faith in God. I read my Bible and wrote in my journal daily. I discovered a table to set up my desk for my morning writing. My faith grew leaps and bounds through this time, as well, as I realized that I had to depend on God for my every need.
Reading comic books was different from that. It wasn’t religion–it was simply a break. Some call this a hobby. Comic books represented everything good about entertainment–it was a way to enjoy myself and blow off steam. I began to take trips on the weekends to comic book shops and comic book sights. I even went to my first convention–right after church, in Nashville, Tennessee.
I did feel small, but I found a release–I began to find strength through the stories of heroes and the dreams to be big.
Scramblejam says
I love the idea of finding strength through stories!
As a storyteller, I am well aware of the power of story to entertain, motivate and inspire people. I know that reading can have the same effect, if the reader wishes it.
I’m not a huge reader of comics, preferring fantasy fiction, but I can relate to this completely – I have been inspired myself by the great deeds of heroes, and by the honour and discipline of a noble knight.
Great stuff!