Combat Veterans, all of you, and Fireman, Law Enforcement, Nurses, and all of you who have to make split second decisions ...under pressure, this is why you need to tell the rest of us some of your stories. Most of us will never know what you went through, and I thank God and the Universe for that. I have always hoped for a Generation that did not have to deal with the effects of War. But that dream is not here...yet. You have things to teach us...and today I learned from one of you. If you agree, or disagree, or have a story to tell that illustrates what I am going to discuss, I ask you humbly, if it doesn't bring up things you wanted to forget...let us know your thoughts and Feelings. For if you have a CIB, or CAB, you will understand this guy way better than I did. So...here goes.

I don't listen to many podcasts. Preferring to watch Vlogs, or Videos on YouTube. But today, at Jersey Mike's, I met a Combat Veteran from Iraq. He is a Marine (since, you know, there are no former Marines) and he showed me a clip from a Podcast where a Navy Seal was explaining to his Wife that he was not an "Adrenaline Junky", he did not miss "the Action", "The Danger," or "the risk." What he missed was: CLARITY.

Before I go on, let me explain how valuable this discussion was for me. Until that SEAL said that one word: "CLARITY", I had always thought that Soldiers "missed" war because of the Action, Power, and Adrenaline. Like a lot of folks, I have been misled on how Soldiers (and other people in tense instants) feel, or think. He changed my perspective. He gave me a new way to look at something I thought I understood. That is why, dear Brothers and Sisters from the Pointy end of the Stick , you need to tell someone at least a little of your story. Otherwise those hard earned lessons...are lost. Now...back to CLARITY.

"I told my wife that I don't hang glide, do Halo Jumps, or use "wings" to soar down mountains because I want to die, or for an adrenaline rush. I do it for that moment of ClARITY.
For a single second, before you jump, launch, or soar, you have to empty your mind of everything except the moment you are in. That moment and the next second are crystal clear. Nothing else matters.
You don't care if the Electric bill is late, if your daughter's rehearsal dress is ready, or your wife wants you to pick up some milk and bread on the way home. You don't care about feeling, of have thoughts of old girlfriends, drunken parties, or stupid sh*t you have done. None of that. All of it is fades into nothingness. All you have is a single minded focus on the moment. Clarity. Everything you know, see, or feel, has been reduced to just one single second. One second of complete freedom from every thought. Only the moment and the next second count. Your mind is truly totally focused. Nothing can get in and distract you. It is perfectly clear to you what you need to do now, or next.
If your foot hurts from a blister, or the barrel is too hot, or your gear is chafing and a rock is sticking into your knee cap...all that is banished from your consciousness. Nothing, I mean nothing can reach you. You are sitting in a crystal clear glass of water ...with full CLARITY. Your next move or choice is yours to make without any distractions. And you can see clearly what to do.
You don't think about fights with your wife, or when to get the car fixed, or if you can pay rent. All the stuff of everyday living has been shunted aside so you can do one thing and one thing only; survive the next second. One moment of Clarity surrounds the next moment until you act. Once you make the choice to act...everything speeds up. Everything. Suddenly you find yourself alone and thinking again. Stuff crowds back in: "Where's my buddies? Why is their blood on my Uniform? How come my ammo is gone? Should I call my wife and tell her?"

All the thoughts and feelings that were gone for a bit, rush back in ...CLARITY IS GONE.
That's what I miss, that moment of pure clarity hanging there like an eternity with my whole mind focused on just that moment...and the next second.

I am not an Adrenaline Junky, I am a CLARITY junky.

I may not have quoted him exactly, but this is what the Marine showed me on that Podcast. When I got done watching it, I asked him if he had Clarity. He said:
"In Combat sure. Many times. In Civilian life, only twice. When my wife asked me to marry her. And when I told my brother (who was drunk) to take his hands off Mom. It was just like that SEAL said...CLARITY.

Now I am looking back at my narrow world view of Combat and Pressure and getting a different perspective. Imagine if that SEAL hadn't tried to explain to his wife, or that Marine taking the time to talk to an old Vet (Non Combat Vet) that viewpoint might have been left dormant.
What do you guys think? Does Clarity makes sense to you? Welcome Home.