Have you found your place in this world? Ever felt like, “I don’t belong here.” or “Why am I still doing this 20 years later?” You’re not alone. In fact, I’d say that you’re in the majority.

Why don’t people seek out their passions and follow their dreams?
If you did, good for you. Are you following your now dreams and passions or ones from years ago? Maybe they’re the same and if so, great. We are all changing over time. No matter if it’s progress or regression, we never stay the same. So are you willing to shake things up and go somewhere new?

When I met Misty, I was convinced I was going to be a poor musician my entire life. We got married and we weren’t so poor because I was a musician for the Marine Corps. From my limited perspective, being a military musician is the most stable music job there is. You get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month, get 30 days paid vacation, AND it comes with healthcare. (a post on Naval medicine? Not doing that now.)
I did that job for a few years but I changed, as did my occupation.

I was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician for the next eight years before I was medically retired from the Marine Corps. But even before I was retired, I had grown tired of my job. It lacked the creativity I still desired to express but was unsure how to release. FYI, if you work with explosives and you start to lose interest in your job, it’s time to find a new job before something bad happens.
Do everything you do with excellence.

I made a plan and went to trade school after the Corps but never did that as work. Then I spent a semester learning to weld but found I was not compatible with the student population at that time and desired to work with veterans. I spent the next few years working for various nonprofits until right before COVID hit.

I had started to write again as part of my nonprofit work. I could feel some creativity rekindle in me. In December of 2019 I began construction on Mental Grenade. It wasn’t long after that the world changed and I had a captive audience.

It’s not that I haven’t had anything to write about lately. Quite the contrary. I could say that I haven’t had the time to write, and that would be true by some people’s standards. I’ve been busy with many projects around the property and now the interscholastic mountain biking season has started, so coaching and maintaining my children’s bikes is consuming a large amount of my time. I’m not complaining, just explaining.

My passion is currently for my family. Misty and I are developing adolescents into capable, independent, young adults who won’t be a drain on society. As some of you know, this is a painstaking and time consuming process. It’s worth it.

Someone recently asked me what I saw myself doing in 5-10 years. I see myself a little more settled as the kids transition into the adult phase of their lives and I start writing more. I feel it is one of my callings. By the time I write my first book, will the newest generations be able to read it? Will AI be reading for people so they don’t have to learn?

Don’t ever stop searching for your place in this world. It’s never too late to start over and try something new.

I don’t need to know what the future holds but I promise you, Mental Grenade will continue to challenge you. Is there ever a lack of existential questions?

These Veteran stories of struggle, adventure, and post traumatic growth need to be heard!
Join the cause to de-stigmatize mental health issues.
Please SUBSCRIBE, share our website with friends / co-workers, and support us by donation or at the STORE.

Drew founded Mental Grenade Jan 2020. He is a follower of Jesus Christ, a medically retired Marine, EOD Tech, husband, father, writer, mountain biker, photographer, facilitator, and fly-fisherman. He seeks to bridge the civilian – military divide and bring hope through honest communication about difficult issues.

These Veteran stories of struggle, adventure, and post traumatic growth need to be heard!
Join the cause to de-stigmatize mental health issues.
Please SUBSCRIBE, share our website with friends / co-workers, and support us by donation or at the STORE.