1-37 AR Unit Ministry Team

09/11/2024

Remember, reaching out is a strength and not a weakness.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_u0veeo0e0/?igsh=MTNhMDU5OGlwMTltNQ==

09/10/2024

01/25/2024

Good morning and happy relationship Thursday.

Word of the day: Simple

With Valentine’s Day coming up on February 14, what might something simple be that you can do for a loved one back home? Here are some simple ideas that might help,
- Send a card
- Order flowers online
- Send a simple online gift
- Send a favorite quote over text

Insight: Often times in relationships we want to express care by doing something complex and thoughtful. While this is good, it is through the daily simple things we build strong foundations in relationships, like building a home brick by brick. For Valentine’s Day, try doing something simple to show your love and appreciation for a loved one back home.

Know that you are loved and have a simple day 🫡

01/21/2024

Good morning and happy scripture Sunday,

Word of the day: Acknowledge

Why does it matter to acknowledge wrongs?

Imagine a pipe with water inside. What happens if the water pressure increases beyond the pipe’s ability to withstand? It bursts. To keep the pipe from bursting, you have two options: You either release the water at the spout or you harden the pipe.

When we acknowledge that we’ve done something wrong it’s like opening up the spout. It allows the flow of water. If we were to liken water to God, then acknowledging wrongs allows God to run freely through us.

If we choose not to open the spout, then the alternative is to harden the pipes. This is like hardening the heart. If we do this, it can make us cold and resentful. It can prohibit us from feeling God and the Holy Spirit. We would point out the faults of others rather than ourselves. We begin to lie to ourselves that we have done no wrong, protecting the hardening heart.

Would you choose to harden your pipes or open the spout? Remember that just because others might expect you to become hard doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. In the long run, it will harm the spirit and separate you from God. It hurts to acknowledge our faults, but it is the only way to heal spiritually and connect with God. Don’t ever let your pride get between you and your relationship with God. Life seems long, but eternity is longer. Choose humility. Choose honesty and integrity, especially with yourself.

Know that you are loved and have a blessed day 🫡

01/19/2024

Good morning and happy fitness Friday.

What is a way I can effectively and safely incorporate high intensity training?

A neuroscientist at Stanford, Professor Andrew Huberman, summarizes an interview he had with an expert on how this could be accomplished. Follow the link below for the summary,

https://youtu.be/sJ_Udumb3ig?si=Se7EeHJK-djRvrYe

Spiritual insight: sometimes we want to sprint every day in our lives. “Give 100% every day!” We hear it all the time. Did you know that anyone can only maintain a 100% sprint for only seconds? If you truly gave 100% then you’d be already exhausted by breakfast. Then what do you do? You give your best. How is giving your best different than giving 100%? Professional athletes know that giving their best means being consistent, adapting to limitations, and training smart instead of hard. They are humble, listen to their coaches, and adapt with the ebb and flow of life. They aren’t lazy and they always seek ways to improve. Professionals continuously strive to learn and do things in the most efficient ways possible. As the Soldier’s Creed says “I am an expert and I am a professional.” You are an expert and professional Soldier and athlete. Like professionals, seek to be humble, learn, and strive.

Know that you’re loved and have a blessed day. Everything is going to be okay. 🫡

Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the "Sugar Kane" exercise protocol, a high-intensity interval training method named after trainer Kenny Kane, which involves th...

01/16/2024

Good morning and happy Nutrition Tuesday,

Word of the day: Fiber

Why does fiber matter?

Basically, most people want to eat fiber for two main reasons, 1) it helps the gut, and 2) it helps make you feel less hungry.

Because fiber helps with the gut and helps you fell less hungry, fiber helps with weight management. Fiber “includes the parts of plant foods your body can't digest or absorb.” This is why it’s harder for people to gain weight eating fruits and vegetables instead vs highly processed snacks “which your body breaks down and absorbs” just about everything.

Tip: try mixing fruits and vegetables with other things you like (such as butter and salt on hot broccoli). If you enjoy the fiber rich foods you eat, then you’re more likely to frequently eat them.

Spiritual note: make sure to get spiritual fiber in your diet. Small motivational videos are awesome, but they are like spiritual twinkies - They come and they go. To add some “fiber” into your spiritual diet, consider taking a few minutes to pray, ponder, and write about that spiritual motivational video you just watched or that scripture you just read. Doing so will give more sustenance to your spiritual experience and give you a much greater spiritual boost.

Know that you’re loved and have a blessed day 🫡

Source
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983

01/15/2024

Good morning and happy motivation Monday.

Word of the day: Waves

Many of you have told me that it is hard to get into a rhythm. It is hard to follow workout routines, study, and develop habits for success because the military environment constantly changes. You are absolutely correct.

This is perhaps one of the most repeated issues I hear about military service. It is like surfing waves. If you are out of balance you will surely fall, but as you balance yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, you will learn not only to navigate the waves of life, but you will find joy in doing so.

Yes. The military is hectic. Life is hectic. But you can do it. Be patient with yourself, find a reason to keep getting up. Don’t quite just because you’ve fallen off the board a couple times. Keep going. Keep getting back on. Learning to ride the waves of life is a skill just like surfing is a skill. If you continue to strive you will eventually thrive.

Never accept defeat and never quit. Wherever you are today, if you are feeling down, it’s okay. Get back up and keep going!

Know that you’re loved and have a blessed day 🫡

https://youtu.be/SFLXcmh_5eo?si=_0DXfVPT14OOC08B

12/16/2023

https://youtu.be/GfF2e0vyGM4?si=qCFt32R7dxzlyQib

Good morning. I wanted to share a message with you that I sent to my Soldiers. This message is very personal to me and hit home. Thanks to Katie Waters Burke for sending me this YouTube video today which sparked this message.

The word of the day is “grit.” In my early twenties, I was out of shape, lacked confidence, struggled to learn, and was socially awkward. Statistically, I was destined to “fail.”

How did I get to where I am today? Angela D. Duckworth said it well. Talking about predicting success at TED ED talk, she said, “it wasn’t social intelligence, it wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ. It was grit.” What a powerful statement. I have friends and acquaintances who seemingly had it all, but they stopped progressing because they didn’t have grit. They just stopped.

You also have your own unique background and challenges. It is tempting to want to quit when things get uncomfortable. I was tempted to quit striving many times. Many of us want to blame life or God for our unique life circumstances. Yes, it may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility to do something about the lot you have been given. You and I often want to give up, especially whenever we compare ourselves with others. Yes, it seems that those with good looks, high fitness, and high IQs seemingly have life handed to them on a silver platter, but those gifts are good for temporary benefit. However, long-term success comes from not giving up. It comes from grit.

You can be competing against the genetically most “blessed” person in an ultramarathon, but if that person gives up halfway and you don’t, then you win!

Don’t give up. Have faith that if you put in the work with discipline and consistency that things will get better. I know that you can improve, because I did.

Recommit yourself to live your core values and long-term goals. This is why spirituality and attending some form of religious service is so important. They help center you on what matters most to you and help you to forgive and recommit yourself. They help you grit with gratitude through life.

For those of you who think this is impossible, I feel you. I have been through this. I know that it is hard and I understand to some extent the struggles of being seemingly a nobody. Don’t ever give up on your long-term goals. Remember why you chose to be where you are and choose grit.

From my gritty heart, I love you.

Know that you’re loved, and have a blessed day.

Watch the full talk: https://tedtalks.social/gritA clip from Angela Lee Duckworth's TED Talk "Grit: the power of passion and perseverance" from TED Talks Edu...

12/05/2023

https://youtu.be/xq2d2i948sI?si=uaE-YRR02lrucNxB

Someone sent me this video and I thought it is relevant to us today. It is easy and popular to criticize and find fault in others, especially those who appear to have achieved more than us. In order to make a positive change within our culture it requires people to have enough courage to do the right thing. In this case, it would require each of us to fight against the toxic temptation of ridiculing others because it is funny and popular, and instead giving positive affirmations when things are good.

Studies have shown that when you give praise for a good thing that it changes lasting positive behavior much quicker than giving criticism. Remember that whenever you give your next counseling to a Soldier 😉.

Teacher Makes SHOCKING ERROR But His Response is PRICELESSIf you love it, please share it :)This video was inspired by a famous story circulating social medi...

03/23/2023

Spiritual fitness is one of the pillars of wholistic fitness and is found in FM 7-22. At gunnery, one of our Soldiers took a picture and placed on that picture a scripture that had meaning for him. Regardless of one’s faith, a strong spiritual base provides a foundation and a lens to strive and thrive through challenges. Get after it bandits!

02/13/2023

USO El Paso is hosting another great Coffee Connection event. Theme is Valentine’s Day! Come join them Feb 14th at 0900.

02/09/2023

Pizza and paint event for adults tonight USO El Paso at 6:00 PM for those interested.