U.S. MILITARY H BOOK EXCERPT 5TH OF A SERIES

have it, there will often be a natural imbalance. Daily commitments and required tasks may in turn disrupt the planned actions for each cornerstone. Simply put, "life happens" and this is where difficulty and discipline must be met and mastered. On any given day, I may find that I cannot invest a balanced amount of time in each cornerstone. When this occurs, I must adjust my following day's plan to ensure more time is spent invested in a cornerstone that was neglected the day prior. I measure my balance in all four corners on a weekly basis. Each week, I reflect on the activities and actions that occurred throughout those seven days, analyze my ability to manage each cornerstone, and adjust for the week ahead based on any discrepancies or setbacks that may have occurred.

When I am balanced, I am ultimately able to remove distractions that quite honestly do not matter. I am genuinely happier, healthier, more confident and assertive overall, and feel more productive. I still enjoy a plethora of fun and exciting activities, and have professional and social relationships that are cared for and relevant in my life. I can say "no" to the things that could ultimately disrupt my balance or take away from my investment in the cornerstones, and feel perfectly fine doing so. My priorities are my priorities, and my remaining responsibilities and tasks are worked around them. This has been a significantly impactful change in my life that has improved my mind, body, and spirit without question.

Thank you to all veterans and service members of our grateful Nation. Your sacrifice and commitment to our beloved country will never be forgotten. This is still the greatest nation in the world; your names are forever etched in its history. •

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Master Sergeant Brice "Soapbox" Snyder enlisted in the Marine Corps on Parris Island on June 2, 1999. From 2000-2003, he was an 0311 Light Armored Reconnaissance Crewman and Scout with several 4th and 3rd LAR Units. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was an 0311 Infantry Training Instructor and Enhanced Marskmanship Instructor, Platoon Sgt I&I 1/25 Marines. From 2007-2010, he was 8411 Recruting Duty 1st Marine Corps Division, and from 2010 to the present, he is a 8412 Career Recruiter 1st Marine Corps District.

Nick Benas grew up in Guilford, Connecticut. The author of Mental Health Emergencies, Warrior Wisdom, Tactical Mobility, and co-author of The Warrior's Book of Virtues, Benas is a former United States Marine Sergeant and Iraqi Combat Veteran with a background in Martial Arts (2nd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do and Green Belt Instructor in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program). Nick attended Southern Connecticut State University for his undergraduate degree in Sociology and his M.S. in Public Policy. He has been featured for his business success and entrepreneurship by more than 50 major media outlets, including Entrepreneur Magazine, Men's Health, ABC, FOX, ESPN, and CNBC.

Richard "Buzz" Bryan is currently the Outreach Coordinator for the West Palm Beach VA medical center. The co-author of The Warrior's Book of Virtues, Buzz previously served as the OEF/OIF Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN4) based in Pittsburgh, PA for ten years, working specifically with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Buzz was a member of the Navy/Marine Corps team and retired from the United States Navy in July 2011 after 22 years of honorable service as a Fleet Marine Force Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman.