Being Out in the Sun and Loving It!

Over the past two days I have spent a lot of time with my family outdoors and I discovered something amazing:  Being out in the sun improves my mood.
I found myself smiling and not knowing why.  That was new.  I haven't felt this good in a long time.  I felt my body responding to the sun, turning toward it like a plant thirsting for nourishment.
For the first time in a long time, life feels stable.  All of my physical health issues are behind me.  As long as I continue to take my medication for my allergies, I will continue to experience easy breathing.  As long as I continue to take my PTSD medications, my mood will stay mostly stable.  As long as...
There it is again.  The subtle warning I need to keep in my mind at all times.  The reason I am feeling so good is because I am doing all the right things to make sure I am stable.  A lot of people don't realize how much hard work goes into being able to feel this good for someone like me.

As we are all out in the sun, swimming in pools and laughing with family this holiday week, lets keep in mind all of the hard work our veterans with PTSD have done to ensure that they can be there laughing with their families.  Take a moment to reflect and be thankful for your loved ones who are fighting to keep their minds in the present.  Maybe this year, you watch those fireworks on TV.

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