Explore resilience, PTSD, and the veteran experience through the lens of Garth Brooks’ iconic song.
By R. T. Garner
“You know a dream is like a river / Ever changing as it flows.”
Discover how Garth Brooks’ ‘The River’ reflects a veteran’s journey of resilience and overcoming challenges after service. For John, returning home from war wasn’t the end of his battles; it was the start of a new fight to rebuild his life while navigating PTSD and societal perceptions. His story mirrors the lyrics of ‘The River,’ reminding us that resilience is about choosing to keep sailing, no matter how rough the waters.
His service to his country was a source of pride for him, and it helped him develop into the kind of soldier he had always imagined himself to be. After returning to the civilian world, however, everything seemed strange. Friends and relatives viewed him differently, some with sympathy and others with an unwarranted desire to “fix” him… What they couldn’t see was that John didn’t need fixing; he required understanding.
John wasn’t broken. Yes, he struggled, but his struggles weren’t his identity. What defined him was his resilience, the same unwavering determination that carried him through combat. And like the ever-changing river in Garth Brooks’ The River, John found himself choosing to keep sailing, even when the currents felt too strong.
“I’ll choose to chance the rapids / And dare to dance the tide.”
Resilience: The Anchor for a Veteran’s Journey
Resilience is more than a concept for veterans like John; it’s their lifeline. It’s the grit to adapt, persevere, and rise again despite setbacks. Resilience came naturally to him while he was serving in the military. Because of his training, he could persevere over insurmountable obstacles, endure both physical and emotional suffering, and never give up. However, civilian life brought a unique set of challenges that tested John’s resolve in unexpected ways.
The Three Pillars of Resilience for Veterans
For John, resilience revolved around three critical principles:
1. Owning His Story Without Letting PTSD Define Him
John was not only forced to suffer from the agonizing of war, but he also had to deal with the labels that others had bestowed upon him. The well-meaning but unsuitable remarks and pity-filled sentiments, such as “Are you okay? Make him feel even more alone. For they didn’t see John anymore; they only saw his injuries.
PTSD was not his identity; it was only one part of his story. Resilience meant not allowing tragedy to consume his dreams, which remained alive and waiting for him. As Garth Brooks sings:
“There’s a dreamer just waiting to be set free.”
John envisioned a fulfilling career, a loving marriage, and a life where PTSD didn’t dictate his every move. He understood that resilience wasn’t about denying his challenges; it was about facing them while holding on to hope.
2. Accepting the Unpredictable Flow of Life
After the military, John learned the hard way that life is chaotic, unpredictable, and lacking the disciplined order that typified military life. Instead of clear objectives and explicit directions, participants now have more space for errors and confusion.
Initially, John resisted, but he yearned for simplicity and clarity. But resilience required him to embrace life’s chaos and accept that the river would never be smooth.
“There’s bound to be rough waters / And I know I’ll take some falls.”
Every stumble became an opportunity to grow. And with each recovery, John’s resilience became stronger.
3. Choosing to Keep Moving Forward
Resilience isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about choosing to take the next step, even when the path ahead is unclear. This meant that John had to go to therapy on days when he was really tired, take a job that he thought he wasn’t suited for as a stepping stone, and talk to his wife when he wanted to stay quiet.
Every small act of perseverance represented a vow of resilience. It was his way of saying, “I’m still here, and I’m still fighting.”
The Harm of Trying to “Fix” What Isn’t Broken
Ironically, the greatest threat to John’s healing wasn’t PTSD itself; it was the perception that he was broken. His wife, Sarah, was constantly asking if he was alright, his voice filled with concern. With his friends giving surface-level advice such as “Just move on.” Despite their good intentions, their actions made John feel even more alone.
What John needed wasn’t pity or solutions; it was empathy. He longed for people to see him as the same man he was before the war, a man shaped by his experiences but not defined by them.
“I will sail my vessel / Till the river runs dry.”
But even the strongest vessels can take on water. On some nights, sitting alone in his truck, John questioned if the world would be better off without him. It wasn’t the memories of combat that brought him to this point; it was the suffocating loneliness of feeling unseen.
A Turning Point on the River
One quiet evening by the water near his home, John replayed Garth’s lyrics in his mind:
“To reach my destination / I’ll need faith and determination.”
At that moment, he realized something profound. He didn’t need anyone’s approval to heal. He didn’t need fixing because he wasn’t broken. All he needed was to believe in his strength and make a conscious choice to keep going.
John made a promise to himself that he would keep from that day on. He stopped trying to persuade people that he was ok and instead focused on obtaining self-acceptance. He turned to treatment, joined a veterans’ support group, and began having open, honest interactions with Sarah. They worked together to map a route forward, focusing on what could be right rather than what was wrong.
Resilience: The Superpower of Dreamers
Resilience isn’t about being invincible; it’s about having the courage to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s about believing that no matter how turbulent the river becomes, there’s always something worth fighting for.
For John, that something was his family, his future, and the hope of building a worthwhile life away from home after the battlefield. Garth Brooks’ The River reminded him that resilience wasn’t about avoiding the rapids; it’s about navigating them with courage and determination.
“I’ll choose to chance the rapids / And dare to dance the tide.”
John didn’t need to be the person he was before his service. He just needed to keep sailing his vessel, knowing that every stroke of the oar brought him closer to his destination.
Sailing Through Life’s Rapids
John’s story is a testament to the countless veterans navigating the challenges of life after service. It’s a journey marked by the fight to be understood, respected, and seen for who they truly are. And it’s a journey fueled by the resilience to keep rowing, no matter how rough the waters become.
Garth Brooks’ The River offers a poignant reminder that life isn’t about guarantees. It’s about choosing to sail, even when the journey feels impossible.
“I will sail my vessel / Till the river runs dry.”
To every veteran: You’re not broken. You don’t need fixing. You are strong!
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