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Join Derrick and Friends TONIGHT for "What is your Why?" with Warriors for Life (WFL)

Join our Volunteer, Army Veteran & Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor Derrick Iozzio TONIGHT for "Forever Forward!" 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:  "What is your Why?"



Join Derrick and friends TONIGHT for "What is your Why?" A discussion about why we do ... what we do!


Your "why" for mental health is your core reason for prioritizing well-being, often rooted in intrinsic values like helping others, personal growth, or finding purpose, which builds resilience to stress, improves emotional regulation, and enhances overall life quality, acting as your inner compass to navigate challenges and live a more meaningful life. It's about connecting your actions to what truly matters, making you more capable and fulfilled. 


Core Components of Your "Why"


  • Purpose & Meaning: A sense that your life activities are valuable and important, contributing to something bigger than yourself.

  • Values Alignment: Living in a way that reflects your deepest beliefs, such as connection, compassion, or creativity.

  • Inner Strength: Recognizing that self-care is a powerful act that enables you to better care for others and handle life's difficulties.

  • Resilience: Using your "why" as a foundation to cope with stress, as people with purpose find stressful days less emotionally disruptive. 


How to Find Your "Why"


  1. Identify Core Values: List what's most important to you (e.g., family, nature, learning) and narrow it down to your top few.

  2. Look for Patterns: Notice activities that naturally give you energy or fulfill you, like volunteering or pursuing a hobby.

  3. Connect to Action: Explore how your values can translate into daily activities and goals that bring you joy or a sense of contribution.

  4. Define Your Purpose: Frame it as your personal mission: "I do this so that..." (e.g., "...I can be a present parent," "...I can contribute to a healthier world"). 



Why It Matters for Mental Health


  • Reduced Stress & Anxiety: Purposeful individuals often experience less stress and fewer symptoms of depression.

  • Better Coping: It helps you stay motivated and maintain dignity during hardship.

  • Enhanced Well-being: It encourages healthy habits like exercise, mindfulness, and connection, improving brain health and overall quality of life. 



Why we do...what we do is crucial for mental health because purposeful actions, achieving goals, helping others, and engaging in new experiences release feel-good chemicals (dopamine, endorphins), build resilience, reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of purpose, all vital for emotional balance and overall well-being, while inactivity and lack of direction can lead to negative spirals. 



Benefits of purposeful action:


  • Mood Boost: Engaging in meaningful activities releases dopamine and endorphins, improving mood and motivation.

  • Stress Reduction: Purpose and accomplishment lower stress hormones (cortisol), making you more resilient to challenges.

  • Builds Resilience: Handling tasks and overcoming challenges strengthens your ability to cope with life's ups and downs.

  • Sense of Purpose: Having direction and valuing your activities combats depression, anxiety, and feelings of emptiness.

  • Improved Self-Esteem: Achieving goals, big or small, and helping others increases feelings of value and confidence. 


What kind of actions help?


  • New Experiences: Trying new things stimulates the brain, boosts mood, and fosters mental flexibility.

  • Physcial Activity: Exercise is a natural mood booster, reducing anxiety and stress.

  • Social Connection: Connecting with others, especially through shared activities or acts of kindness, fosters belonging and value.

  • Helping Others: Acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver, boosting confidence and happiness.

  • Meaningful Goals: Setting and achieving goals provides direction and a sense of accomplishment. 


Active engagement with life—through purpose, achievement, and connection—keeps the mind healthy, while prolonged inactivity can be detrimental. 


Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), February 12, 2026, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET



Thank you,


Derrick Iozzio, Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, Catch 22 Peer Support Founder, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)


"Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!"

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