Reflection and Renewal: Embracing the Journey of Life

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” —Socrates

This time of year, steeped in tradition and brimming with memories, often finds us pausing to reflect. For many in the veteran community, the past’s echoes mingle with the present’s rhythms, creating space for introspection. Reflection isn’t merely a practice of nostalgia; it is an act of learning, of courage, a way to measure our journey and review our course. Consider this an invitation to reflect on life with honesty and hope, not to dwell in darkness but to embrace the light we can create by seeking clarity.

As we walk through this season, the question arises: are we truly living to our potential? Life offers us moments of stillness, like the ones during this season, to ask if we are aligned with what we see as an endstate. True growth comes not from avoiding the shadows but from stepping into them, examining what we can learn from them, and emerging with a clearer vision of who we want to be.

Reflection can be challenging because it demands vulnerability. It urges us to ask, “Am I authentic? Am I living a life that reflects my values?” These aren’t easy questions. But to live without asking them is to risk missing the essence of what it means to be human. Reflection is not self-punishment; it’s a gift of growth. It’s a way to honor the life we’ve lived, the lessons we’ve learned, and the possibilities ahead.

For veterans, the weight of memory is often complex—filled with both pride, pain. Yet, those memories can be a foundation for transformation. They are not a punishment but a reminder of resilience and the capacity for change. Each of us carries moments we wish we could rewrite, but those moments also make us who we are. Reflection allows us to evaluate whether the person we’ve become is the person we aspire to be. And if the answer is no, we have the power to pivot.

A good life doesn’t demand perfection; it calls for intention. It’s not about whether we’ve been flawless but whether we’ve learned and grown. True authenticity emerges not from never doubting ourselves but from moving forward despite the doubts. To live well is to embrace the wonder of our humanity—the questions, the uncertainties, the moments of grace.

So, as we gather with loved ones, honor traditions, and remember the past, let’s allow reflection to inspire us rather than weigh us down. The best days of our lives are not determined by what lies behind us but by how we choose to move forward. Let’s wonder, let’s evaluate, and let’s commit to living with purpose and gratitude. After all, a life well-examined is a life well-lived.

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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on November 28, 2024.

JC Glick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The COMMIT Foundation. JC brings with him a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and career Army officer and is driven by a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, JC has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies, where his clients included Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.

Over the course of his Army career, JC spent over seven years in the Ranger regiment, serving in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, participating in the Best Ranger Competition twice, and has over seven and a half years of command time with 11 operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan. JC is the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX Speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. JC is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.