By Steven Smith – Retired Assistant Chief of Police
Far too often I get stuck in my own head. I lose an overall perspective and get focused only what I can see in that moment. I’ve been actively working to get out of that habit, but more times than I like to admit my emotions cloud that effort. So to correct that, I look for perspective and inspiration from the world around me, I live in the woods and nature tends to provide me with more perspective and inspiration than I could have ever realize.
As I was driving our side by side across our property, there was a moth just consistently flying into the windshield in an attempt to get out. The side windows were open and freedom was right there. The way out was just to the side of it, but it was so focused on what was in front of it that the moth couldn’t see. There was no perspective of what was around it. The moth could see what it wanted, but there was an invisible wall that was stopping it. If it would have stopped, paused for a minute and looked around it would have seen that there was a way out; a path to what it needed and wanted.
As we become stressed with everyday life and past experiences we begin to loose perspective. We become that moth. Banging our heads off that windshield over and over again to no avail. Ultimately unless we change something we are going to fail, again we become just like the moth.
There is a possibility that the moth may have eventually found its way out and been fine, but how many moths have you seen that didn’t make it? Once again, we become the moth. How many of us have become so lost in what we’ve been through and didn’t make it out? I say too many. I helped that moth make it out of the side by side. Just like that moth, we all need help out of a situation that were in. Sometimes someone else can see the different perspective that we can’t see because we are too focused on our own windshield. That situation happened to me. I was so lost in my own. It took someone saying if you don’t change what you’re doing you are not going to make it. I had to let go of my perspective to see my way out.
So will you take the help to change your perspective, to change your life? Make the difference, make the call. The life you save may be your own.
If you, someone you love or someone you know needs help, call:
Safe Call Now: 24 Hour Confidential Hotline: 206-459-3020
For more information on the First Responders program: Click here
Or call Shannon Clairemont at 661-466-6352 or Vanessa Stapleton at 304-651-3008
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Published by armorupnow
Sean Riley is the Founder and President of Safe Call Now, a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. Safe Call Now was started in 2009 after legislation was passed guaranteeing confidentiality nationwide for all who call the Safe Call Now crisis line that is staffed by current and former first responders.
Sean played baseball for San Diego State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration. He started his law enforcement career as a San Diego County Deputy Sheriff in 1987 and later relocated to Washington State in 1990. Sean spent over 16 years with the Kirkland Police Department. His many accomplishments include being a member of the International Homicide Investigator's Association, Homicide and Sexual Assault Detective, Interview and Interrogation Specialist, D.A.R.E. Officer, Gang Officer and Certified Training Officer. Riley is also credited with solving one of the first ever elder abuse homicide cases in the nation.
Sean's prominent career in law enforcement ended in 2005 when he could no longer hide his "secret" behind the badge. Sean threw away his almost 20-year stellar police career due to alcohol and drug addiction and was headed towards suicide to become just another unknown statistic. In addition to attending college for substance abuse counseling, Sean worked as a supervisor at a local treatment center where he witnessed many public safety employees coming in and out of treatment. Riley decided to do something about it. From his own experience, he knew that first responders wanted to come forward to help, but due to the stigma attached, they would not. Admitting to a substance abuse or mental health problem is perceived as a sign of weakness and could result in the termination from a noble career. By creating a safe and confidential place to reach out for help, first responders are now coming forward in droves from around the nation to better their lives, better their families and better their careers.
Recognized as a dynamic national keynote speaker, Sean travels throughout the country to share his inspirational story. Coupled with cutting edge, interactive training, Riley hits those once thought of as "taboo" or "controversial" topics head-on.
"Safe Call Now provides education, healthy alternatives, resources and a complete continuum of care to save lives and put families back together. Through a collaborative effort, Safe Call Now has discovered when you provide an opportunity for an individual to get their life and their family back, you get one great employee back out serving the public."
- Sean Riley, Founder/President
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