Mind Over Mayday

Tag: 2025

  • A New Year, A Renewed Mission: 2025 Goals for Mind Over Mayday

    A New Year, A Renewed Mission: 2025 Goals for Mind Over Mayday

    As we step into 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for what lies ahead. Mind Over Mayday has become more than a blog—it’s a community, a conversation, and a space where first responders can find understanding, support, and encouragement. This year, my mission is clearer than ever: to advocate, inspire, and empower those navigating the often-overwhelming realities of life on the front lines.

    Reflecting on the Journey

    2024 was a year of growth, both personally and for the blog. I shared stories of resilience, loss, and healing, opening up conversations about the mental health challenges we face as first responders. I attended events, honored fallen heroes with the Maine EMS Honor Guard, and connected with so many of you who shared your stories with me. These moments solidified my belief that we need to keep the dialogue around mental health alive and growing.

    This mission is deeply personal. As a suicide attempt survivor, someone in long-term recovery, and a first responder, I know how critical it is to have support, understanding, and resources when navigating the mental and emotional weight of this work. It’s my goal to make Mind Over Mayday a resource that first responders turn to when they need connection, guidance, or simply a reminder that they’re not alone.

    Goals for Mind Over Mayday in 2025

    1. Expand Reach and Connection

    This year, I want to reach even more first responders. That means:

    • Partnering with organizations that share the mission of supporting mental health for first responders.
    • Attending conferences and events to spread the word about Mind Over Mayday.
    • Growing our online presence through social media, newsletters, and interactive content.

    I want Mind Over Mayday to become a place where first responders know they can find tools, resources, and community whenever they need it.

    2. Offer Practical Tools for Healing

    It’s one thing to talk about mental health; it’s another to equip people with actionable tools. This year, I aim to create:

    • A free downloadable resource guide with tips for processing trauma, building resilience, and maintaining mental health.
    • A series of blog posts highlighting proven techniques, from mindfulness practices to physical health strategies that support mental wellness.
    • Online workshops or webinars designed to help first responders navigate stress and trauma in real time.

    3. Elevate Voices in the Community

    Every first responder has a story, and every story matters. In 2025, I want to feature more guest contributors on Mind Over Mayday. Whether it’s a fellow EMT, firefighter, police officer, or dispatcher, this blog will continue to showcase the voices of those on the front lines. Sharing our stories helps break down stigma and reminds us all that we’re stronger together.

    4. Advocate for Systemic Change

    While individual support is crucial, the bigger picture matters too. This year, I want to advocate for improved access to mental health resources for first responders. That means:

    • Collaborating with local and national organizations to push for better policies and funding for first responder mental health.
    • Highlighting the gaps in the system and offering solutions through my blog and public speaking opportunities.
    • Continuing to normalize therapy, peer support, and other tools for mental health within our community.

    5. Inspire Through Vulnerability

    My personal journey is the heart of Mind Over Mayday. This year, I’ll continue to share openly about my experiences with sobriety, recovery, and the challenges of life as a first responder. Vulnerability is a superpower, and I hope that by being honest about my struggles and victories, others will feel empowered to do the same.

    Building a Stronger Future

    2025 is about more than just goals—it’s about creating a safer, more supportive world for first responders. It’s about leaving the job better than I found it and ensuring that the next generation of EMS professionals, firefighters, and police officers have the resources they need to thrive.

    This blog isn’t just about me; it’s about us. Every story shared, every conversation started, and every life touched is a step toward a stronger, healthier community.

    Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world to me, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together in 2025. Let’s make this year one of growth, healing, and hope—for ourselves and for the people we serve.

    What are your goals for the new year? Let’s start the conversation. Together, we can make a difference.

    – Lacey Sawyer
    Mind Over Mayday

  • Is There a God? How Finding My Belief in a Higher Power Reshaped My Practice

    Is There a God? How Finding My Belief in a Higher Power Reshaped My Practice

    When I first entered the world of recovery, the phrase “Higher Power” felt foreign, almost unapproachable. In the early days of working a 12-step program, I wrestled with the idea of surrendering to something greater than myself. As someone who had relied on grit, resilience, and control to navigate life’s challenges, the concept of letting go felt like a contradiction to everything I knew. But I was desperate for change, and that desperation became the fertile ground where my understanding of a Higher Power began to grow.

    In the beginning, my Higher Power wasn’t a deity or a cosmic force. It was the people I trusted. My sponsor, the community of recovery meetings, and the friends who believed in something greater than themselves—they became the scaffolding for my faith. I borrowed their belief when I didn’t have any of my own. Their stories of surrender, resilience, and hope were my foundation. They reminded me that I didn’t have to know all the answers, and that simply trusting the process was enough to start.

    Over time, as I moved through the steps, something began to shift. It wasn’t an overnight revelation but a gradual awakening. I began to notice how prayer and meditation opened doors within me that I didn’t know existed. My prayers were simple at first: a whispered plea for strength or a moment of gratitude for getting through another day sober. Meditation, too, was a challenge initially—my thoughts raced, and silence felt intimidating. But as I continued to show up for those practices, I started to feel a connection I couldn’t explain. It was as if the act of seeking created a space for grace to enter.

    Around this time, I picked up Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. The book articulated something I had started to sense but couldn’t yet put into words: the idea that we are all connected, both to each other and to a universal Oneness. Tolle’s exploration of ego, presence, and interconnectedness resonated deeply with me. It wasn’t just about finding peace within myself; it was about understanding that I’m part of something much larger. This realization didn’t diminish my individuality—it gave it purpose. I began to see the divine not as a distant figure but as the thread that weaves through all of existence, connecting us in ways both visible and unseen.

    Today, my belief in a Higher Power is an integral part of my daily life. Prayer and meditation are no longer just tools for coping; they are ways to align myself with that universal Oneness. Through them, I’ve come to see life as purposeful, even when it’s painful. Tragedy, I believe, is not without meaning. It creates opportunities for those who experience loss to transform their healing journeys into sources of strength and connection. When I reflect on the hardest moments of my life, I see how they have shaped my ability to empathize with others. My pain has given me the language to connect, the wisdom to guide, and the courage to share my story.

    This belief in a Higher Power has reshaped not just my recovery but my entire approach to life. I no longer see challenges as obstacles to be conquered but as opportunities to grow and connect. I believe we are here to support one another, to learn from each other, and to contribute to the collective healing of the world. This perspective has not only deepened my personal practice but has also informed how I approach my work, my relationships, and my advocacy for mental health and first responders.

    If you’re struggling with the idea of a Higher Power, I want you to know that it’s okay to start small. Borrow the faith of others if you need to. Begin with curiosity rather than certainty. And trust that the journey itself will reveal what you need to know, one step at a time. For me, finding a Higher Power wasn’t about adopting someone else’s definition of God; it was about discovering the divine within myself and the world around me. That discovery continues to shape me, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.