When emotions drive your life

After returning from Vietnam, nothing was more difficult than fitting into civilian life. The physical wounds healed, but the mental injuries would follow me for the rest of my life as PTSD.

It was a relentless taskmaster continually attempting to control my actions. I was quick to display anger and obstinance; if anyone told me what to do, an argument would invariably materialize.

I was unemployable, relationships went up in smoke, friends deserted, and family thought me intolerable. Nothing worked.

The help I received was establishing routines and knowing when to walk away — leaving behind my emotions to react and concentrating on the long-range outcome. Yet, an unreasonable passion drove everything I did.

It was achieving the goal of fitting in that remained arduous. I fell back many times before I stood on firm ground.

But I forced myself to hold on to my share of happiness and succeeded. It made all the difference, but regretfully my buddies did not fare as well.

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