Drop in TONIGHT with Steve & Friends for "Reconnecting!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
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: "Reconnecting!"
"Recently a voice from my past reached out to me, a voice I hadn't heard in over 20 years. A voice I had grown up with since I was six years old but moved away when I was twelve. Six years later I made contact again after returning to the States. We spent ten minutes or so face to face but he was working so it was only a brief reunion. That was in 1984. Then last Friday rolled around and lo and behold, my phone rang after a brief reconnect via text messages. Here we were, twenty-one years after last seeing each other eye to eye, reconnecting as if no time had passed at all. It was phenomenal and so rewarding!
As veterans, we tend to establish bonds that stick thru the years like this. We might not see an old 'battle buddy', if you will, for years at a time but when we do it's as if we had just left their side, but never left their backs! Reconnecting is a vital tool in the mental health process. Though some say it initiates triggers and flashbacks, often those we reconnect with are the only ones that truly understand just what we are being triggered by or flashing back to, and therefore, are the ones that best understand our struggles. This gives us a healing partner and companion to the healing process.
Reconnection is great in the non-veteran aspect as well. When we reconnect with persons from our past, it is more often than not the good memories that are shared. Mutual conversations about the 'good ol' times' can have a lasting effect and stir the endorphins for pleasant memories."
Reconnecting with others is crucial for mental health as it provides a vital support system, combating feelings of isolation and loneliness, and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Strong social connections are linked to increased happiness, better physical health outcomes like improved immune systems, and longer lifespans. These bonds offer emotional support during stress, validate experiences, and contribute to overall well-being by reminding individuals they are valued and needed.
How Reconnection Supports Mental Health:
Humans are social beings who crave connection.Reconnecting with others provides an antidote to the heavy feeling of isolation, reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Loved ones and friends offer a listening ear, encouragement, and a source of help when life is difficult, making challenges feel less overwhelming.
Provides a Sense of Belonging:
Feeling connected to a community, whether it's family, friends, or a group with shared interests, gives a sense of purpose and belonging that is essential for a healthy mind.
Offers Validation and Self-Worth:
When others accept you for who you are and support you, it builds your self-worth and provides validation that you are valued.
Strong social connections have physical benefits, such as a boosted immune system, reduced inflammation, and potentially lower blood pressure, which are intertwined with mental health.
Tips for Making Friends
So How Do You Reconnect with Yourself?
5 Ways to Reconnect with Yourself Now
Join Air Force veteran, author, and Peer Support Specialist Steven Bates as we discuss 'Reconnecting' on tonight's Warriors for Life Mid-Week Musings peer support group network with victoryforveterans.org"
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Mid-Week Musings!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Wednesday (TONIGHT), October 1, 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.
Comments