Ryan Joseph

🇺🇸 Writer | Veteran • History • Economics • Psychology • Philosophy • Profession of Arms • Posts do not represent any outside organization

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

I spent 12 years of my 18-year career as an AF Combat Arms Instructor. Invested over 10,000 hours of podium/range time, 1,200+ courses.

Here are 5 concepts I learned that apply beyond the range.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@GiaMMacool @Nature_Nate1 People who fall short of ideals love to shame the ideal rather than celebrate it - an incorrect behavior btw. Attractive people are celebrated one way or another. Either overtly or secretly.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@Divine_Sass Those look like some top tier shrimp.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@BeardoTrader fk i forgot again.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@dustinthedad good. i’ve been doing it right then 😂

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@BeardoTrader

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@Brian_onX Then be prepared to block low or high.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@melissabz321 Fascinating

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

Notice how many roots are depicted in the image that reach downward to hell.

For a tree’s branches to reach the heavens, it must plant a myriad of roots into hell.

You will take multiple trips into hell before earning your salvation into the heavens.

You must keep your armor ready - for a descent into hell could be around any given corner.

Just remember that trip - should you survive - is yet another opportunity to prove yourself worthy of another branch into the divine.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

Some people go through life blindly believing and following a script.

> School
> Career
> Chasing promotions
> Retirement

Others got hit hard enough the script stopped working.

Deployment(s). Divorce. Loss of a friend or loved one. A battle with substance abuse. A diagnosed (or undiagnosed) disorder or illness. Some failure or loss that didn’t fit the plan. Maybe it was a book or idea that split your life into “before” and “after.”

Once you’ve crossed a certain threshold or crucible, showing up and playing along feels different. You still do the job. You still carry your share. But something died in you that just left you different.

I’ve been taking a lot of time to think about who I’m writing for (besides myself). I’m invested in those who’ve been through it and somehow retained their resolve to stay “in the game” despite all they carry. I truly believe these people are the ones making a positive difference in the world. I invest in them - although they are rare.

I believe firmly in Jung’s aphorism:

“No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.”

I see a lot of this in the people I’ve connected with here.

It’s part of what makes 𝕏 worthwhile to me.

Suffering comes for all of us. I hope yours comes and goes swiftly and your deity grants you the strength to endure it and emerge from it stronger.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@LoriRMiller I know the feeling. haha

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

There’s nothing more infuriating and enticing to confront than a disrespectful male.

If you have a chip on your shoulder, you’d do well to hide it at all costs until you can manage to get rid of it.

Nobody cares how hard you’ve had things - save your mother and family (maybe).

Get on with it.

Being respectful and formidable must replace shallow apathy expressed by too many modern “men”.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@BeardoTrader i’ll be sure to iron my underwear in preparation.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@S0o4ia insane

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@BeardoTrader Heck yeah. Congrats on winning your own version of life Beardo. You’re a fun dude to follow 🤙

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@dustinthedad I know right? Gotta really learn to chill after a while.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

You spend years becoming “useful”, disciplined, competent, respected.

But what happens if it works?

There may come a strange point where the old incentives don’t move you like they used to.

> More money

> More status

> More optimization

> More self-improvement

* Stuff happened but it all tends to feel insufficient.

You’re not falling apart.

You’re functioning fine.

Might be the problem.

You don’t know if it’s burnout, maturity, ingratitude, or the beginning of something more honest.

Just sit with that.

The answers will be revealed in time.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

I’m feeling like I’m just kinda “done” in my 40s. Not necessarily in a bad way. My priorities of family and freedom are just becoming more prominent by the day. I pursued career advancement intensely throughout my 30s especially. Now I’m just content and trying to remain open to the things I can’t control as potentially positive off-ramps.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@Divine_Sass Been my experience A LOT!

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

“Now that they’ve followed one another, never show them each other’s posts again.”

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@FischerKing64 (wait for it) disgraceful.

[Ryan Joseph @RyanJoseph]

@Olivia0945 As time passes, peace will become your focus - if you’re fortunate. Many don’t recognize it’s peace they’re actually after.