Someone asked me recently, “What legacy do you want to leave behind?”
Not what job I want. Not what title I’m gunning for.
But legacy – the real kind. The kind that echoes. The kind that leaves a mark.
That question didn’t feel polite. It felt like a punch to the chest. Because let’s be honest – most people are too busy surviving to even think about legacy. But I’ve been through enough, seen enough, fought enough, to know that the real work isn’t in the day-to-day grind. It’s in the lives you change while you’re grinding.
So here it is. Raw and real.
I’m not here to leave behind perfect spreadsheets or polished LinkedIn posts. I’m here to leave behind a trail of people who remember what it felt like to finally be seen. Really seen. Especially the ones who had been counted out.
I want my legacy to be the ones who stood up straighter after talking to me.
The ones who walked into that job interview after years of rejection – and nailed it.
The ones who were told they weren’t enough, weren’t experienced enough, weren’t “corporate” enough – and found out that was a damn lie.
I want to be remembered as the one who called out bullshit policies, stood firm in rooms where people whispered, and used every ounce of experience I had – military, career development, leadership, trauma – to light the way forward. Not just for me. But for everyone around me.
I want my legacy to be about impact. Not impressions.
Because I’ve walked through doors no one wanted to open for me.
I’ve been overqualified and underestimated in the same breath.
I’ve watched less-experienced people get promoted while I held the line and kept everything running.
And still, I didn’t shrink.
Because I wasn’t here to play politics.
I was here to serve. To advocate. To build something better.
Let me be clear: I didn’t build my legacy in perfect conditions. I built it while navigating burnout, chronic stress, leadership that didn’t lead, and systems that tried to silence me. I built it while dealing with trauma and training a service dog who saved my life in ways I can’t fully explain.
I built it while helping others find jobs when I was struggling to find my own sense of purpose. I coached people through their breakdowns while still managing mine in silence. I mentored with a cracked heart and a full schedule – because I knew someone else’s survival might start with my willingness to show up, just one more time.
That’s what legacy looks like.
Not glamour. Not followers. Consistency.
Showing up. Even when you’re tired. Even when no one’s clapping. Even when they’re whispering behind closed doors.
I don’t want to be remembered for being liked.
I want to be remembered for being real – for speaking up when it wasn’t convenient, for calling out injustice even when it cost me something, for pushing others to rise even when I was still crawling.
If someone says my name years from now and follows it with:
“Ryan didn’t just help me get a job. He helped me remember who the hell I was.”
Then I did what I came here to do.
That’s the legacy I’m leaving.
It’s made of grit, grace, fire, and purpose.
It’s covered in dog hair, sweat, sacrifice, and second chances.
And no matter what room I walk into – whether I’m welcomed or not – I’ll keep showing up like I belong. Because I do. And so do you.
I’m not here to play nice – I’m here to make change. I work with veterans, teens, career shifters, and anyone who’s ever been told they’re too late, too broken, or too much. I help people rewrite their story when the world hands them a script they never asked for.
I don’t save people. I remind them how to save themselves.
That’s my legacy – and I’m just getting started.
Follow along as I speak truth, challenge systems, and help folks build a life that actually fits.
Connect with Us
Follow us on Medium @YourTrueDirection.
Your journey is yours to shape – take the next step in Your True Direction.
About Your True Direction
Your True Direction is dedicated to empowering individuals navigating life’s transitions. Through inspiring stories and actionable strategies, we aim to help you reclaim ambition, overcome challenges, and thrive in every stage of your journey.
Harness the power of affirmation for success and bold actions to create your best year yet.
By R. T. Garner
“Step boldly into 2025 and take control of your destiny. Discover how aligning your words, thoughts, and actions can turn dreams into reality and create the life you deserve.”
2025 is the perfect year to embrace manifestation techniques and create a life aligned with your intentions. What if you had a magical formula to guide your journey? That’s where Abracadabra comes in; it’s not just a word but a philosophy by which to live. Rooted in the Aramaic meaning “I create as I speak,” this ancient phrase reminds us that we are the architects of our lives.
To help you create your most empowered year yet, here’s a roadmap inspired by the letters of A-B-R-A-C-A-D-A-B-R-A, each representing a principle to guide your transformation.
Your words have power. Start every day with affirmations that declare the reality you want to create. Speak about your goals and dreams as though they’re already happening.
Example: Replace “I hope to succeed” with “I am succeeding and thriving.”
Affirmations align your thoughts and emotions with your vision, making it easier to stay focused and inspired.
B: Believe in Yourself
Everything starts with belief. Trust in your abilities, your resilience, and your potential to achieve greatness. Self-doubt may creep in, but don’t let it overpower the truth: you are capable of extraordinary things.
Practice: Create a “self-belief mantra” to recite when doubt arises, such as “I am capable, resourceful, and unstoppable.”
R: Reflect Daily
Reflection is the key to growth. Dedicate time each day to assess your progress, celebrate wins, and identify areas for improvement. Whether through journaling, meditating, or quiet introspection, reflection keeps you aligned with your goals.
Tip: Use prompts like, “What went well today? What can I improve tomorrow?” to guide your reflections.
A: Act Consistently
Manifestation requires action. Take purposeful steps every day toward your goals, no matter how small. Consistency creates momentum, and momentum leads to results.
Ask Yourself:What’s one action I can take today that brings me closer to my dream? Then do it.
C: Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude is the secret to abundance. When you focus on what you have, you attract more of what you desire. Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to appreciation, opening doors to new possibilities.
Practice: Write down three things you’re grateful for each night. Over time, you’ll notice how this simple habit transforms your perspective.
A: Adapt and Evolve
Change is inevitable. The key to thriving in 2025 is flexibility. Be open to new ideas, embrace unexpected opportunities, and adjust your plans when needed. Growth comes from adaptability.
Example: Instead of resisting challenges, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
D: Dare to Dream Bigger
Let go of small, safe goals. Challenge yourself to dream boldly and believe in the seemingly impossible. Bold goals ignite passion and creativity, pushing you to explore your full potential.
Exercise: Write down a goal that scares and excites you. Break it into smaller steps, and start taking action today.
A: Align with Your Values
True success is living in harmony with your core values. When your actions reflect your principles, you create a life that feels meaningful and authentic.
Reflection: Ask yourself, “Does this decision align with the person I want to become?” Let your values guide your choices.
B: Build Positive Relationships
Your circle influences your journey. Surround yourself with people who uplift, inspire, and challenge you to grow. Let go of toxic relationships and seek connections that energize and support your vision.
Challenge: Identify one person in your life who motivates you, and reach out to deepen that connection.
R: Reframe Setbacks
Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Shift your perspective to see failures as lessons and stepping stones. Each challenge holds valuable wisdom to help you move forward.
Affirmation: When facing challenges, remind yourself, “This is temporary, and I am learning from it.”
A: Aspire to Inspire
Your growth can spark change in others. Whether through sharing your story, encouraging a friend, or mentoring someone, let your journey inspire those around you. Success is even more fulfilling when it uplifts others.
Action Step: Share a recent win or breakthrough with someone who might benefit from your experience.
The Power of “Abracadabra”
As you navigate 2025, use this Abracadabra framework as your guide. Each letter represents a step toward your best self. Together, they form a blueprint for intentional living, empowering you to:
Speak your reality into existence.
Dream boldly and act with purpose.
Align with your highest values.
Here’s your 2025 Abracadabra Affirmation to repeat daily: “I create as I speak. My words, thoughts, and actions align with the reality I am manifesting. Every day, I step closer to my highest potential and inspire others to do the same.”
This Year, The Magic is You
2025 is your canvas, and you are the artist. Like the ancient meaning of Abracadabra, you hold the power to shape your reality with your words, thoughts, and actions.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment — the moment is now. Speak it. Believe it. Act on it. The magic of 2025 isn’t in wishing; it’s in doing. Let this year be the one where you fully embrace your power and create a life that feels as magical as it is real.
Abracadabra: The magic is you.
Call-to-Action (CTA) Links
Encourage readers to take the next step:
Follow you on Medium:“For more transformative insights, hit the follow button!”
Share the Article on Social Media:“If this inspired you, share it with someone who needs a little magic in their life!”
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About Your True Direction
Your True Direction is dedicated to empowering individuals navigating life’s transitions. Through inspiring stories and actionable strategies, we aim to help you reclaim ambition, overcome challenges, and thrive in every stage of your journey.
Connect with Us
Follow us on Medium: @YourTrueDirection
Have a story to share or want to collaborate? Email Ryan at ryan@yourtruedirection.com.
Thank You for Reading! Your journey is yours to shape — take the next step in Your True Direction. If this article resonated with you, don’t forget to clap, share, and follow us for more inspiring content!
For veterans, the battle doesn’t always end with service; it continues in the struggle to find purpose, identity, and belonging in civilian life.
By R. T. Garner
Image generated by the author
For 14 years, I’ve been fighting a battle I never expected: the struggle to find my place after leaving the military. I graduated from West Point, served my country, and earned three master’s degrees. On paper, it looks like I should be thriving. Yet here I am, stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, frustration, and a deep sense of failure.
In 2004, I stood among my peers at West Point, filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment. I had earned my place at one of the most rigorous institutions in the world, surrounded by leaders destined for greatness. Like many of my classmates, I envisioned a lifelong career in the Army, rising through the ranks, and eventually transitioning into a civilian leadership role that would capitalize on everything I had learned and accomplished.
But life has a way of veering off course. In 2010, I was medically retired from the Army, years before I had planned to leave. My career, my purpose, and my identity as a leader were suddenly taken away. The structured life I had built, with its clear goals and direction, vanished overnight. What followed was a chaotic and often painful journey of rebuilding, a journey that still feels incomplete.
This year marked my 20-year West Point reunion, a milestone I should have celebrated. Instead, I stayed home. I was too embarrassed to face my classmates, many of whom have gone on to achieve incredible things. They’re now lieutenant colonels, colonels, CEOs, congressmen, etc. And me? I report to a manager who was a private first class when I was leading soldiers.
Once, I confided this to a former classmate who is now a lieutenant colonel. I told him about my current position and my boss’s rank when they left the military. He gave me a smirk and laughed, as if to say, Are you serious? That laugh cut deeper than I expected. It wasn’t just a reaction, it was a mirror reflecting all the doubts and insecurities I’ve carried since leaving the military.
The Burden of Expectations
West Point instills in its graduates a culture of excellence, competition, and relentless discipline. We are trained to lead, to inspire, to rise to any challenge. But what happens when those expectations meet the messy reality of civilian life?
For many veterans, transitioning from the military to civilian careers is a difficult process. For West Point graduates and officers, the challenges are unique. Leadership roles that once defined our identities often don’t translate into civilian contexts. Employers frequently undervalue military experience, and the cultural differences between military and corporate environments create barriers to understanding.
The weight of comparison only magnifies these struggles. Seeing my classmates thrive in high-profile roles while I’ve spent years trying to find my footing has been a constant reminder of my perceived failures. For West Point graduates, the pressure is even greater. We’re seen as the elite — the ones who are supposed to lead by example. When we struggle, it feels like we’ve let everyone down: our families, our peers, and even the institution that shaped us.
A Crisis of Identity and Purpose
The loss of leadership roles and military identity is one of the most profound challenges veterans face during their transition. In the Army, I was responsible for making decisions, leading teams, and carrying the weight of leadership. Those roles gave me a sense of purpose and confidence that I’ve struggled to replicate in civilian life.
Civilian leadership often looks very different from military leadership. Hierarchies are less defined, decision-making processes are slower, and the values driving organizations don’t always align with those we learned in the military. These cultural gaps make it difficult to find roles that feel meaningful, leaving many of us questioning our place and our value.
For me, this struggle has been deeply personal. I work in career development, helping others find jobs and achieve their goals. I guide them through the same transitions I’ve struggled with, and while I’m proud of the work I do, it often feels hollow. How can I help others succeed when I feel like I’ve failed myself? Every success story I help create is a bittersweet reminder of how far I feel from where I want to be.
The Mental Health Toll
These professional struggles are closely tied to mental health challenges. Studies show that the suicide rate among veterans is 1.5 times higher than the general population, and unemployment or underemployment only increases that risk. For officers and academy graduates, the stakes are even higher. The loss of leadership identity, financial strain, and the weight of expectations can create a perfect storm of isolation and despair.
The transition to civilian life can lead to mental health challenges for many veterans, particularly those underemployed. Research shows that underemployed veterans experience significantly higher rates of depression (42%) and suicidal ideation (15%) than their employed counterparts (18% depression, 5% suicidal ideation). (RAND Corporation, 2020).
The stigma surrounding mental health in military culture compounds the problem. We’re trained to be strong, to push through adversity, and to see vulnerability as weakness. Seeking help often feels like admitting defeat, and even when we do, civilian therapists or counselors may not fully understand the nuances of our experiences.
I’ve seen the toll this takes, not just on myself but on friends and classmates who haven’t made it. The grief of losing peers to suicide is compounded by the survivor’s guilt and the unspoken question: Why them and not me?
Financial Strain and Underemployment
The financial challenges of transition add another layer of difficulty. Civilian jobs often pay less than military officer salaries, particularly for leadership roles. Underemployment — working in positions that don’t fully utilize our skills or experience, is a common reality for many veterans.
“The median income for veterans often lags behind the equivalent civilian workforce, particularly for former officers transitioning into leadership roles in the private sector.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
A 2021 RAND study revealed that nearly 50% of veterans feel underemployed, with officers being particularly vulnerable. The cost of transition, from moving families to establishing a civilian lifestyle, combined with the loss of military benefits, creates financial instability that can exacerbate mental health challenges.
For West Point graduates, underemployment isn’t just a financial issue; it’s an emotional one. It’s hard not to tie our worth to our professional titles and achievements, especially when we’ve been trained to lead and excel.
What Needs to Change?
Addressing these challenges requires systemic change and a shift in perspective:
Targeted Transition Programs
Programs tailored to officers and academy graduates, focusing on translating military leadership into civilian careers.
Employer Education
Companies must recognize the value of military leadership and actively recruit veterans for roles that align with their skills and experience.
Mental Health Support
Destigmatizing mental health struggles within the military and alumni networks is crucial. Alumni organizations like West Point’s can play a key role in fostering openness and connection.
Redefining Success
Veterans must learn to see success not as a continuation of rank or status but as finding purpose and fulfillment in new ways.
A Call to Action
This journey is deeply personal, but it’s not unique. Veterans, especially those from leadership backgrounds, face systemic barriers that make transition incredibly challenging. By sharing our stories, we can break the silence around these struggles and advocate for meaningful change.
To my fellow veterans: You’re not alone. The weight of expectations is heavy, but it doesn’t have to define you. Together, we can build a future where veterans are valued not just for their past service but for the incredible potential they bring to civilian life.
Call to Action:
If this resonates with you, share your story or join the conversation. Let’s work together to create a brighter path for veterans navigating life after service.
This link provides access to the full article and its details. Let me know if you’d like additional assistance navigating the content or extracting specific sections!
Citations:
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Employment Situation of Veterans. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov.
RAND Corporation. (2020). Understanding Veteran Employment Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org
About Your True Direction
Your True Direction is dedicated to empowering individuals navigating life’s transitions. Through inspiring stories and actionable strategies, we aim to help you reclaim ambition, overcome challenges, and thrive in every stage of your journey.
Connect with Us
Follow us on Medium: @YourTrueDirection
Have a story to share or want to collaborate? Email Ryan at ryan@yourtruedirection.com.
Thank You for Reading! Your journey is yours to shape — take the next step in Your True Direction. If this article resonated with you, don’t forget to clap, share, and follow us for more inspiring content!
How Elton John’s I’m Still Standing Reflects a Veteran’s Journey
By R. T. Garner
“I’m still standing better than I ever did / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
For David, a gay veteran just returning home from the front lines, the war was not yet finished. Upon his return home, he battled a different kind — one that tried to his sense of survival, identity, and belonging. As a young child, his father would make nasty comments to him, including, “If you are gay, I will kill you.” Long after he had left his family, long after he had served his nation, long after he had come out to himself, these remarks kept playing back in his head.
Image generated by Author
The road ahead for David was far from easy. But like Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, his story is a testament to the power of resilience, to the unyielding strength that keeps us moving forward when the world seems determined to knock us down.
“I’m still standing after all this time / Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind.”
The Battle Before the Battle
Before David even entertained the idea of joining the military, he was having trouble with an argument that was occurring within himself. In light of the fact that his father disapproved of him, it became painfully evident that expressing his true self was not a risk-free alternative. Although the fact that he felt strongly, he denied his feelings, which ended up in an overwhelming feeling of loneliness within him. This immense burden was a reflection of the weight of the struggle that he was carrying. He felt a great sense of betrayal in the air as he tried to deal with the expectations around him. As the weight of his hidden truth settled upon him, bringing him to barely a shadow of himself, the fight for air got harder and harder. His emotional health had suffered dramatically from societal unrelenting rejection, which kept him in a vicious struggle.
This emotional suppression followed him into adulthood. When he joined the military, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell only reinforced the belief that he was needed to stay hidden. David’s military achievements were impressive, yet each promotion left him feeling empty, a stark contrast to his outward success. He was fighting for a country that wouldn’t accept him for who he was, a dissonance that echoed through his life.
“And if you need to know while I’m still standing, you just fade away.”
David began to internalize the rejection he’d faced, believing the lie that his worth was conditional. But his story didn’t end there.
Image generated by Author
Resilience: The Heartbeat of Survival
Resilience wasn’t just a buzzword for David; it was his lifeline. It carried him through his father’s rejection, the pressure of military life, and the isolation that followed him home. Just like Elton John sings, resilience isn’t about denying the pain — it’s about rising above it.
1. Reclaiming His Identity
David’s first battle after returning home was reclaiming his identity. Years of hiding who he was had taken a toll. He’d spent so long trying to meet others’ expectations that he’d forgotten who he wanted to be.
“Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did?”
Through therapy and self-reflection, David began to piece himself back together. He realized that his identity wasn’t something to be ashamed of — it was a source of strength.
2. Healing From Rejection
The words of his father had haunted David for years, shaping how he viewed himself and his relationships. Even after his father passed, David felt the weight of that rejection. He couldn’t let go of the idea that he had to earn love and respect.
But resilience meant refusing to let that rejection define him. As Elton John’s lyrics echo, “Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind,” David learned to leave the pain of his father’s words in the past. He couldn’t change his father’s views, but he could change how much power those views held over him.
3. Embracing Love and Connection
For David, resilience also meant opening himself up to love and connection. His years in the military had taught him to rely only on himself, but this isolation couldn’t last forever.
He found a chosen family in the LGBTQ+ community — people who embraced him fully and saw him as strong, capable, and worthy of love. Romantic relationships were a new challenge, but each step forward was a victory.
“I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
The Unseen Battle: Misconceptions and Isolation
One of David’s biggest struggles after leaving the military wasn’t his own identity — it was how others perceived him. Friends and family assumed he was either too fragile or completely invincible. Both perspectives left him feeling isolated.
Coworkers and acquaintances avoided deeper conversations, either out of discomfort or misplaced fear of offending him.Romantic partners often misunderstood his hesitation to open up, mistaking it for indifference rather than self-preservation.
“Once I never could have hoped to win / You’re starting down the road leaving me again.”
But David’s resilience came through again. He began setting boundaries, clearly communicating his needs, and finding strength in being vulnerable. The more he shared his story, the more he realized that people wanted to understand — they just didn’t know how to start.
The Turning Point: “I’m Still Standing” as a Rallying Cry
One day, while driving alone, David heard I’m Still Standing on the radio. The lyrics struck a chord, echoing his struggles and triumphs. He pulled over, letting the music wash over him.
“I’m still standing better than I ever did / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
For the first time in years, he saw himself not as a victim of his circumstances but as a survivor. Every hardship he’d faced had shaped him into the resilient man he was. From that moment on, David decided toreclaim his narrative.
Image generated by Author
A New Chapter: Living With Resilience
David’s journey didn’t end with that song, but it marked a turning point. He began to live with purpose, advocating for LGBTQ+ veterans and sharing his story to inspire others.
Resilience, he learned, wasn’t about erasing the past. It was about carrying the lessons of those experiences and using them to build a stronger future.
“I’m still standing after all this time.”
Final Thoughts: The Strength to Stand Tall
David’s story mirrors the journey of countless veterans who face rejection, isolation, and identity struggles. It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship — it’s about rising above it.
Elton John’s I’m Still Standing captures this spirit perfectly, celebrating the strength to persevere and the courage to rebuild. For David, the song became more than an anthem — it became a declaration of who he was and who he was becoming.
To anyone who feels like the world is trying to knock them down: You’re stronger than you think. Keep standing tall.
“I’m still standing.”
The River of Resilience: How Elton John’s I’m Still Standing Reflects a Veteran’s Journey
“I’m still standing better than I ever did / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
For David, a gay veteran just returning home from the front lines, the war was not yet finished. Upon his return home, he battled a different kind — one that tried to his sense of survival, identity, and belonging. As a young child, his father would make nasty comments to him, including, “If you are gay, I will kill you.” Long after he had left his family, long after he had served his nation, long after he had come out to himself, these remarks kept playing back in his head.
The road ahead for David was far from easy. But like Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, his story is a testament to the power of resilience, to the unyielding strength that keeps us moving forward when the world seems determined to knock us down.
“I’m still standing after all this time / Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind.”
The Battle Before the Battle
Before David even entertained the idea of joining the military, he was having trouble with an argument that was occurring within himself. In light of the fact that his father disapproved of him, it became painfully evident that expressing his true self was not a risk-free alternative. Although the fact that he felt strongly, he denied his feelings, which ended up in an overwhelming feeling of loneliness within him. This immense burden was a reflection of the weight of the struggle that he was carrying. He felt a great sense of betrayal in the air as he tried to deal with the expectations around him. As the weight of his hidden truth settled upon him, bringing him to barely a shadow of himself, the fight for air got harder and harder. His emotional health had suffered dramatically from societal unrelenting rejection, which kept him in a vicious struggle.
This emotional suppression followed him into adulthood. When he joined the military, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell only reinforced the belief that he was needed to stay hidden. David’s military achievements were impressive, yet each promotion left him feeling empty, a stark contrast to his outward success. He was fighting for a country that wouldn’t accept him for who he was, a dissonance that echoed through his life.
“And if you need to know while I’m still standing, you just fade away.”
David began to internalize the rejection he’d faced, believing the lie that his worth was conditional. But his story didn’t end there.
Resilience: The Heartbeat of Survival
Resilience wasn’t just a buzzword for David; it was his lifeline. It carried him through his father’s rejection, the pressure of military life, and the isolation that followed him home. Just like Elton John sings, resilience isn’t about denying the pain — it’s about rising above it.
1. Reclaiming His Identity
David’s first battle after returning home was reclaiming his identity. Years of hiding who he was had taken a toll. He’d spent so long trying to meet others’ expectations that he’d forgotten who he wanted to be.
“Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did?”
Through therapy and self-reflection, David began to piece himself back together. He realized that his identity wasn’t something to be ashamed of — it was a source of strength.
2. Healing From Rejection
The words of his father had haunted David for years, shaping how he viewed himself and his relationships. Even after his father passed, David felt the weight of that rejection. He couldn’t let go of the idea that he had to earn love and respect.
But resilience meant refusing to let that rejection define him. As Elton John’s lyrics echo, “Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind,” David learned to leave the pain of his father’s words in the past. He couldn’t change his father’s views, but he could change how much power those views held over him.
3. Embracing Love and Connection
For David, resilience also meant opening himself up to love and connection. His years in the military had taught him to rely only on himself, but this isolation couldn’t last forever.
He found a chosen family in the LGBTQ+ community — people who embraced him fully and saw him as strong, capable, and worthy of love. Romantic relationships were a new challenge, but each step forward was a victory.
“I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
The Unseen Battle: Misconceptions and Isolation
One of David’s biggest struggles after leaving the military wasn’t his own identity — it was how others perceived him. Friends and family assumed he was either too fragile or completely invincible. Both perspectives left him feeling isolated.
Coworkers and acquaintances avoided deeper conversations, either out of discomfort or misplaced fear of offending him.Romantic partners often misunderstood his hesitation to open up, mistaking it for indifference rather than self-preservation.
“Once I never could have hoped to win / You’re starting down the road leaving me again.”
But David’s resilience came through again. He began setting boundaries, clearly communicating his needs, and finding strength in being vulnerable. The more he shared his story, the more he realized that people wanted to understand — they just didn’t know how to start.
The Turning Point: “I’m Still Standing” as a Rallying Cry
One day, while driving alone, David heard I’m Still Standing on the radio. The lyrics struck a chord, echoing his struggles and triumphs. He pulled over, letting the music wash over him.
“I’m still standing better than I ever did / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
For the first time in years, he saw himself not as a victim of his circumstances but as a survivor. Every hardship he’d faced had shaped him into the resilient man he was. From that moment on, David decided to reclaim his narrative.
A New Chapter: Living With Resilience
David’s journey didn’t end with that song, but it marked a turning point. He began to live with purpose, advocating for LGBTQ+ veterans and sharing his story to inspire others.
Resilience, he learned, wasn’t about erasing the past. It was about carrying the lessons of those experiences and using them to build a stronger future.
“I’m still standing after all this time.”
Final Thoughts: The Strength to Stand Tall
David’s story mirrors the journey of countless veterans who face rejection, isolation, and identity struggles. It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship — it’s about rising above it.
Elton John’s I’m Still Standing captures this spirit perfectly, celebrating the strength to persevere and the courage to rebuild. For David, the song became more than an anthem — it became a declaration of who he was and who he was becoming.
To anyone who feels like the world is trying to knock them down: You’re stronger than you think. Keep standing tall.
“I’m still standing.”
About Your True Direction
Your True Direction is dedicated to empowering individuals navigating life’s transitions. Through inspiring stories and actionable strategies, we aim to help you reclaim ambition, overcome challenges, and thrive in every stage of your journey.
Connect with Us
Follow us on Medium: @YourTrueDirection
Have a story to share or want to collaborate? Email Ryan at ryan@yourtruedirection.com.
Thank You for Reading! Your journey is yours to shape — take the next step in Your True Direction. If this article resonated with you, don’t forget to clap, share, and follow us for more inspiring content!
They were children, young and bright, Dreams like stars in the quiet night. But in their homes, those dreams grew thin, Boxed in by the beliefs held within.
Jonah loved the sky so wide, With planets and stars he could not hide. But his parents saw him through a narrow frame, Autism became his only name.
“Be realistic,” they softly sighed, And Jonah’s dreams began to die. He learned to lower his hopeful gaze, Caught in their well-meaning, fearful haze.
He stopped speaking of the stars above, Became a stranger to his own love. His spirit dimmed, his world shrank small, Trapped in a diagnosis, behind a wall.
Across town, Emily faced her fight, Her truth unfolding in the soft moonlight. Bisexual, she whispered in the dark, But her parents’ hearts couldn’t bear the spark.
They saw her truth as a storm to outlast, Hoping it was something that soon would pass. “Maybe in time, you’ll see what’s right,” But Emily’s world became wrapped in night.
She lived two lives, her spirit split, Hiding herself just to fit. Her love and dreams, locked away tight, Shame and fear clouding her sight.
Their homes, meant to be safe and warm, Became places of silent, internal storms. Their parents, loving but lost in belief, Gave them a world built on fear and grief.
But there’s more to Jonah than a label’s mark, More to Emily than a love kept dark. They are not the limits their parents see, They are endless oceans yearning to be free.
Let us learn from the stories they tell, Of how belief can lift or build a shell. For every child deserves a space, Where they are loved, not put in place.
So may we see them whole and true, Not what we fear, but what they pursue. For in their dreams, their hopes, their flight— They hold the world in their own right.
