Stress wasn't invented when I was demobbed

This morning on BBC Breakfast News was interesting.

I was just making my way out of the door, to enjoy the 7 minute journey to the office when two former Paras, from the 2nd World War, were about to be interviewed about their daring raid that saved the D-Day plans

Geoff and Fred sat there, very proudly dressed in their blazers and red berets, the coveted ones that the Paras wear with pride ... Both chests full of medals and that sitting posture of two men who felt comfortable in themselves

You've got the picture?

These two are in a group that is dwindling fast because of time and age, yet their story about their mission was peppered with the hard facts that 80% of their comrades never made it back. And of the 20% that did, many were injured or put out of action ... However for these two that wasn't the case

When they spoke about their time in the airborne you could see their pride grow, however it was more than just puffing out of chests

Fred said it was important to believe in yourself, your leaders, your command and your orders and the last thing they were always told was 'failure is not an option'

These two definitely believed in that ... They were still alive and sitting on the famous BBC red couches

However there was more

Geoff was asked how did he cope when he returned from the front and was demobbed in 1947

His answer?

I got married and then got on with things. There was no time to sit and worry about things. We had to get on with it ... 'Stress? It wasn't invented then!'

Interesting.

Many would say they were possibly in denial or did have problems but wouldn't talk about them, however not so true

It's been recognised that people can go through the most horrendous and awful things in their lives and come out the other side stronger than when they started due to a high level of resilience, where others just crumble

This resilience is definitely belief based and these two gentlemen had heaps of it

You see when they served they felt they were part of something bigger than themselves that would serve others. They believed in what they were doing. They translated that belief into their reality

The question to ask yourself is 'what beliefs do I have that are getting me where to be and which ones are holding me back?'

Once you know the answer to the question decide to do this

Take the ones that serve you and spend more time on them. The beliefs that don't support you make this decision either change them or dump them, then move on

The thrive programme can definitely help to put beliefs in their right perspective