Drop in TONIGHT Friends for "Despair is Free!" with Warriors for Life (WFL) Hosted by Steven

Join our Volunteer, Air Force Veteran, Peer Support Specialist, and Writer/Author Steven Bates TONIGHT for "Mid-Week Musings!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).

We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.

TONIGHT's Topic:  "Despair is Free!"

"From Pop Star to Peace Prize, From General to Vice President, this wisdom from someone you've never heard of can never ring so true!  Charles G Dawes, born on this day, Aug 27th in 1865, is probably someone you have never heard of, but one hundred years ago this year, he took office as the 30th Vice President of the United States under then-President Calvin Coolidge.  A musician from an early age, Charles Dawes wrote a musical number in 1912 called "Melody in A Major".  This music was later adapted into a song in 1921 called "It's All in a Game", which became a pop hit for six weeks straight and has been covered over the years by many artists such as Nat King Cole, Merle Haggard, and even Donny and Marie Osmond! 

That's not what brings Charles his most fame, though, for in 1917 he joined the Army during World War I as a Major and eventually became a Brigadier General within TWO Years!!  Still not his most prestigious achievement, for Dawes went on to serve as the nation's Vice President and win a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on rebuilding Germany!  What possible wisdom could this man you have never heard of impart to us? For one, Charles Dawes once said, "Hope is a willing slave, and despair is free."   How profound!  Despair lives rent-free in most of us, and we need to learn to accept that it is always a possibility to feel despair.  Our job is to ignore despair, rise above the impressions of impending doom, and press forward!" 

The quote "Hope is a willing slave, and despair is free" is attributed to Charles G. Dawes, a prominent American politician, financier, and diplomat who served as Vice President under Calvin Coolidge. The quote suggests that hope requires effort and effort is a form of servitude, while despair requires no effort to maintain. 

Understanding the Quote

• "Hope is a willing slave":

  This part of the quote implies that to achieve something with hope, one must be willing to work for it, much like a slave toils for a master. The effort and action are required to make hope a reality.

  
  

• "Despair is free":

  In contrast, despair requires no effort or action to exist. It can come easily and without struggle, as if it is unbound by the need to work or strive for anything.

This phrase highlights the active nature of hope compared to the passive nature of despair, suggesting that while despair may seem liberating, hope requires discipline and commitment to bear fruit. 

How to Overcome -Healing Hopelessness & Despair

Overcoming hopelessness and despair means finding ways to feel better when you’re really sad or hopeless. Here are some simple steps to help:

Talk to Someone: Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. Share your thoughts and emotions with someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or therapist. They can offer support and comfort.

Break Problems into Smaller Parts: Big problems can make you feel overwhelmed. Try to break them into smaller, more manageable parts. Then, you can tackle them one at a time.

Stay Active: Doing physical activities, like going for a walk or doing some exercise, can help improve your mood. It releases happy chemicals in your brain.

Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated. A healthy body can lead to a healthier mind.

Set Small Goals: Instead of aiming for something huge, set small, achievable goals for yourself. When you reach them, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment.

Find Things You Enjoy: Doing things you like, whether it’s a hobby, reading, or watching a movie, can lift your spirits and distract you from despair.

Focus on the Positive: Try to focus on the good things in your life, even if they seem small. Gratitude can help change your perspective.

Seek Help: If you can’t shake off the despair on your own, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a professional, like a therapist or counselor. They have the expertise to guide you through tough times.

Join Air Force Veteran, author, and Peer Support Specialist Steven Bates with the Warriors for Life Mid-Week Musings Support Group as we talk about Charles Dawes' amazing life and how he never allowed despair, though it came freely in his life, to hinder him in his incredible journey.  Join us as we discuss ways to avoid despair and press on, paving a way to progress in our path to mental health!

Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Mid-Week Musings!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Wednesday (TONIGHT), August 27, 2025, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87440882846 

Thank you,

Steven Bates

Air Force Veteran, Writer/Author, Peer Support Specialist, &

Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc.

“Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!”