Embrace the Weird

My son Lucas is 5, and he’s the love of my life. His mother and I aren’t together, but I see him three times a week.?

He lives 60 miles from me, so he doesn’t have friends where I live. We’ll go to a park and he’ll see other kids playing. I can tell he wants to play with them, but he doesn’t know them.?

And he doesn’t make friends easily.?

You see, Lucas has sensory processing disorder. Doctors don’t know what causes it. It may be genetic (I don’t think I had it when I was young). It’s like autism or attention deficit disorder.?

Kids who have this condition can be sensitive to light or sound. They can be overly sensitive to the texture of clothing. Some foods can make them gag.?

He’s different.?

As a result, some kids back off from him in the playground. I understand. But, as a parent, it’s frustrating to watch.

Fortunately, that doesn’t happen all the time. Other kids look at him, shrug their shoulders and toss him a ball. Or say, “you’re it, come catch me,” and run around in circles until Lucas tags them.?

He has fun.

As for me, when we’re alone, sometimes Lucas sits back, closes his eyes and just smiles. He looks like he’s enjoying the world. I wonder, what is making him happy?

No matter, it’s great to see. After all, that’s what parents really want, right? That they’re children are happy.?

Where Are You Today?

In the military, we all dressed the same, got up at the same time and ran two miles together every day.?

We worked together, ate lunch and dinner together and went to bed at the same time.?

However, when military vets get into the civilian world, the structure of military life disappears. Now, they’re not told when to get up in the morning or eat. People don’t dress the same and follow orders like military people typically do. They may question authority-or completely ignore it.

What is a vet to do?

I interact with vets all the time, personally and professionally. Some vets have difficulty accepting people or situations which are different or not “normal” (at least, what they consider normal).?

They can’t embrace the difference. They remind me of some kids in the playground who won’t play with Lucas.?

Because of this, some vets get left behind in the civilian world. They don’t realize that it’s okay to be different and have a different perspective on life, work, politics, etc.?

I tell them, it’s fine to remember your time in the military, remember that part of your life.

But know it’s not your life anymore.

Move on.?

Brett Henderson is the Founder of Strategic Wealth Endeavor in Hermosa Beach, CA. Strategic Wealth Endeavor provides wealth management services and business consulting for veteran entrepreneurs.?

After college, Brett served as a Captain in the Marine Corps in an armor division. As a veteran, he knows it’s difficult in the civilian world to replicate the sense of comradery, selflessness and teamwork the military instills in its members. Brett lets his clients know that he and his team are there to support them. They can help them succeed in business. They can also help them create wealth-or keep the wealth they already have. If you’re interested, call Brett at 310-491-7045. You can also get on his calendar here.?