Why help someone?.......because you can!

"It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result". Mahatma Gandhi

There are times in life, when we pull up the drawbridge, retreat a bit and put ourselves and the needs of our nearest and dearest first, why not, it's natural, right? You know the drill 'charity starts at home/family first/get your own house in order first. We have seen peers achieve and create a lifestyle, so we push, we strive, we sweat and drive ourselves hard to improve our lives and those of our inner circle. In the process, we probably improve our bank balance and we chase the symbols that acknowledge our success.

Then it happens! The 'Road to Damascus' moment, that realization that the latest buzz about the latest version of the latest 'thing' has faded. Our heart sinks, a little and the words are in your ear "this doesn't really matter".

So what has this got to do with the transition and being a Veteran?

Well, I think it's a lot to do with it, especially when I hear Veterans talk about the desire to give back. What is it that makes them want to do it? I know I joined up in part to escape, with not much in my bank and less in my relationship locker. What I found was a family in strangers, people who wanted to help me succeed. People who were willing to give me help, lend a hand, share their last fiver to get me a pint in the NAAFI (that tells you how long ago it was,2 pints for a ￡5!), or had my back in the most uncomfortable situations.

Why did they do it? Because they could, they gave without expecting a return and respect and strong bonds were formed. The impact of that help given, is as great for the giver as well as the receiver. The pride you feel in seeing someone else achieve success, is priceless. If you haven't experienced it yet, you are missing out!

So I know I am not alone in feeling like if I can help I will, anyone who needs it. This is the essence of Veterans helping Veterans, not because we should, but because we can. The recipient may not be the same person who helped us decades earlier, but the help is to the wider Military family, past or present.

The willingness to 'send the elevator back down' for the next person is within us all. dare I say it, it's what sets the Veteran community, apart from the Civvy world. So, if you are doing well, if you have found success after leaving the military, then send the elevator back down for the next guy, because you can.

When you have done that, you have achieved a big part of a successful transition and made a difference.