Join Kirk & Friends TONIGHT for "I'm Offended" with Warriors for Life (WFL)
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Come join Volunteer, Peer Support Specialist Kirk Poe for "Awaken Your Inner Healer!" 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 Victory for Veterans provides 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: "I'm Offended"
Join Kirk and friends TONIGHT for a discussion about "I'm Offended" Everyone is welcome!
Our brains are wired to prioritize offense and criticism over positive feedback.
Shame and guilt make people more vulnerable to quickly taking offense.
3 simple actionable thought shifters can help break free from offense and reset your mindset:
Capture the Thought, Redefine the Narrative, and Shift the Focus. These techniques are designed to interrupt the cycle of negative rumination and prevent it from controlling your emotions.
1. Capture the thought
When you feel yourself getting offended, pause and take a moment to identify the specific thought causing your reaction. This initial thought is often an automatic, negative assumption.
Ask yourself: "What am I telling myself about this situation? Is it truly a personal attack, or am I just assuming the worst?".
Acknowledge your feelings without judgment, and put a name to the emotion you're experiencing, such as anger, sadness, or anxiety.
2. Redefine the narrative
Challenge your negative interpretation by considering other possible explanations for the event. This helps you avoid getting trapped in a single, emotionally charged viewpoint.
Look for alternative explanations. For example, could the person who offended you be having a bad day? Were they distracted, or did they have good intentions but a poor delivery?.
Put some distance between your feelings and your thoughts. Remind yourself that while your feelings are valid, your interpretation of the situation might not be entirely accurate.
3. Shift the focus
Once you have redefined the narrative, direct your attention away from the negative event and toward something positive or productive. You cannot control others, but you can control your reaction.
Engage in a positive or grounding activity. Take a walk, practice deep breathing, listen to music, or focus on a different task. Physical movement, in particular, can help "rewire" your emotional response.
Practice gratitude. Remember the things that are going well in your life. This helps move your attention away from the single negative event and reminds you of the bigger picture.
You’re allowed to see the good. You’re allowed to let offenses slide away—let the bugs bounce off the windshield. You’re stronger than the story shame or guilt wants you to believe.
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Awaken Your Inner Healer!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) - Monday (TONIGHT), October 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/86121340012
Thank you,
Kirk Poe, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Reiki Master, Certified Body/Emotion/Belief Code Practitioner, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)