Ben Owen On LinkedIn: I Got Lipstick And Mascara On My Shirt From ...

Agree & Join LinkedIn

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content Ben Owen’s Post Ben Owen 3y

• Report this post

I got lipstick and mascara on my shirt from two different women today. Sound like the start to a good story? Read on, maybe it is. One just got done burying her son this afternoon, the other visiting own mother’s grave. Both lives ended far too soon with addiction as the root cause. You may also notice a little gray in my beard. That wasn’t there a year ago. My life is full of pain and suffering, and to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Andy Stanley said something a few years ago that really hit me between the eyes: “Perhaps the way to become a better person is actually to focus less on yourself and more on what’s going on around you. If you’re wondering how you can make a difference in a world with so many unmet needs, start asking yourself a question: ‘What breaks my heart?’ This question has the potential to shape your perspective and priorities. When you think about everything going on in our nation and in your community, what’s the one unmet need that captures your attention and emotions? Perhaps there’s an issue that comes to mind and you think, Something needs to be done about that. You find yourself getting passionate about it, talking about it with others, and looking around you to see if anyone is doing anything about it.” At the time, I immediately knew what broke my heart; addiction and the suffering it brings to families and communities. I also knew without a doubt I wasn’t strong enough in my own recovery to do anything about it on the over the top scale I knew I needed to. But about a year ago, as we started evacuating Afghan allies out of Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, I realized maybe I didn’t have to be “strong enough”, maybe pouring myself into it would give me the strength to do what needed to be done for our addicted veterans, and those living in the communities so impacted by dope. Turned out I was right, because today that’s exactly where I get my strength from. Trauma, pain, suffering, the hurt of loss, all of things I put myself through and watch others go through, these only add fuel to the fire of resolve within me. I wouldn’t go back and change a thing even if I could. Because the mission I’m on required every bit of agony and hell it cost me to get here.

537 54 Comments Like Comment Share

• Copy
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• X

John Michailidis, MSIRE, JD 3y

• Report this comment

🙏

Like Reply 1 Reaction David LeClair 3y

• Report this comment

i think you are standing too close to the gear box

Like Reply 1 Reaction Glenn Gerichten 3y

• Report this comment

What a wonderfully kind way to help people who are consumed by grief and tragedy. You offer an excellent example of selflessness. Praying for strength as you meet the daily challenge of fighting addiction.

Like Reply 1 Reaction Jeffery Chenevert 3y

• Report this comment

✝️🙏❤️

Like Reply 1 Reaction Doris Cain 3y

• Report this comment

Beautifully said!!!! When we are in God’s will, doing God’s work, and we have peace, it never gets old or tiring because God is with us every step of the way.

Like Reply 1 Reaction Jaime Rapach-Bates 3y

• Report this comment

GOD Speed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like Reply 1 Reaction Victor Wolder 3y

• Report this comment

Looks like you ran into Tammy Faye!

No more previous content

No more next content Like Reply 1 Reaction Jackie Melina B. 3y

• Report this comment

How do you tell people that the whole movement and mantra of “I need to focus on me and my wellness and making sure I feel good about me” is selfish & narcissistic and helps no one?

Like Reply 1 Reaction 2 Reactions Richard G. 3y

• Report this comment

Ben, I forgot what branch you were in, but what I know is that a life in service of others is worth living. You know what it means to protect your brothers on your six and indeed what it means if you let them down. That, my friend, is what I see in you and what you have become. I do the same in my way. that, my friend is your military frame of mind.

Like Reply 1 Reaction 2 Reactions See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

163,533 followers

• 3000+ Posts
• 1 Article

View Profile Connect

More from this author

• WWII Soldier Captured and Escaped 7 Times, Reported Dead, Later Decorated by Two Armies

  Ben Owen 5y

Explore content categories

• Career
• Productivity
• Finance
• Soft Skills & Emotional Intelligence
• Project Management
• Education
• Technology
• Leadership
• Ecommerce
• User Experience

Show more Show less

Sign in to view more content

Create your free account or sign in to continue your search

Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email

or

New to LinkedIn? Join now

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.