First and foremost, I hope and trust that all is well.

 Today I am writing to wish you a happy and prosperous new year.  I am excited and encouraged.

 Over the past year I had a number of revelations.  What I mean by revelations is that new thoughts and ideas came to me in such a way that left me astonished and inspired.  One such revelation, which may be nothing or a “so what” to many, was that words don’t teach.  We learn through experiences.

 I am excited about this revelation because I received it as I considered the very thing I write and speak about.  That is, I received this revelation as I considered the intention of this site (www.transitionfromthemilitary.com). 

 I was reminded that the transition experience is just that.  It is an experience and by embracing it is how we make the transition and can help others in their transition.

 It may appear to be contradictory that I write and speak (using words) about the transition experiences, then say that words don’t teach, but experiences do.  Here is another one of those paradoxes. 

 Words in and of themselves do not teach, but words lead to thought and those thoughts may lead to actions and from these actions we have experiences.  Experiences are how we learn.  In effect, words do teach.

 I know.  This sounds confusing, but it is very simple.  As you read articles on this site, apply them to your lives and gain your experiences; transition experiences.  From these experiences I am confident that you will learn what is necessary for you to make a successful transition from the military to civilian life.

 I am encouraged that making the transition from the military will be both possible and easier than it used to be.  Recently, there has hardly been a day where I have not heard on the radio or on TV about groups of veterans forming to help other vets.  This is encouraging because I have the belief that vets and their families can truly assist in the transition experience.

 The surest way of making a successful transition is to have principles as our centers.  Meaning, base our lives on principles rather than on simple tactics and focusing on what we are missing from our lives.  On a personal note, the principles I base my life on are those found in the Bible.

 Happy New Year!  Be fruitful and multiply. 

 You are worthy of the life you desire to live; there are other forces operating in your life and these forces conspire with you to live a life of joy and abundance.

 Semper Fi,

Walter