Tough

“It’s tough.” How many times have you heard that phrase? Though subjective, it leads you to understand there is, at least in some semblance, a physical, emotional, or possibly psychological struggle involved with whatever the subject matter is. As I inch ever so closely toward concluding my second decade of public service, that phrase rings true more now than ever.

At dawn of my career, the majority of the struggles I endured were more physical than anything else. But, as time went on, there was a paradigm shift. I began encountering more emotional battles than anything else. I realized being true to my values and commitment meant that I had to do more. The difference is, what I realized I had to do had never been done before by any law enforcement officer.

Simply embracing the “status quo” was accepted and even promoted in some sorts; but, I still felt that there was a way that I could truly make a difference. I identified my objective, and that is when things got tough.