I See You

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. It’s gonna be a bright, shiny day. – Johnny Nash.

The Layers of Awareness

At its core, Johnny is speaking about awareness. Ok, a stretch perhaps. But awareness is being able to clearly see yourself and the world around you. Generally, awareness refers to having a sense of your surroundings, but it goes much deeper than that. According to the American Psychological Association, there are three primary types of awareness: self-awareness, sensory awareness, and peripheral awareness.Sensory and peripheral awareness relate to a person’s physical presence in time and space, as well as their perception of external stimuli. I would like to add that the highest level of awareness in my opinion is anticipatory awareness.Or the ability to care for another person’s needs before they arise. A tough skill to master, but definitely achievable. More on that later. However, for the purpose of this discussion, we’ll focus more specifically on self-awareness.

The Evolving Conversation Around Mental Health

Mental health is no longer a taboo subject; discussions about personal struggles are now more accepted than ever. While we’ve made significant progress in destigmatizing mental health conversations, there’s still a long way to go before everyone feels truly safe being heard.

More men today are embracing the idea of talking about their struggles. Take Michael Phelps, for example—he openly stepped away from competition to focus on his mental well-being. Still, some men seem to navigate life effortlessly. That doesn’t mean they’re not battling something beneath the surface. It’s important to recognize that condemning toxic masculinity shouldn’t come at the expense of all men or diminish the responsibilities they shoulder—whether as providers, husbands, fathers, leaders, or friends. The expectation to carry these roles in silence remains ingrained in our culture. The strong silent types are suffering too.

Understanding Self-Awareness

Self-awareness, in my view, is the ability to understand and manage yourself in relation to the world around you. But it’s more than just introspection—it’s also about having a genuine interest in the well-being of those within your circle of influence. It’s a big responsibility. Self-awareness takes different forms. And like any other learned skill, it takes practice to develop.

So, what does self-awareness in interpersonal relationships look like?

• It’s not just noticing someone’s outfit at a restaurant and finding it objectionable.
• It is understanding what’s appropriate to wear for a particular event—even if it’s not your personal preference. (See: John Fetterman at the 2025 inauguration.)
• It’s not sending a half-hearted “What’s up?” text to someone. And it’s definitely not if they are struggling.
• It is calling them, genuinely checking in, and respecting their space if they’re not ready to talk. Then, following up with a simple message a few days later: “Just checking in—let me know if you need anything.”
• It’s recognizing that no matter what you have going on, so does everyone else. And not failing to check in with someone even though you think “they got this.”

Leadership & Organizational Awareness

My wife and I have been together for almost 17 years.In the early stages of our relationship I made it a point to schedule a purposeful check in in order to make sure my then girlfriend was being seen, heard and cared for. In other words, I was anticipating any need that required attention before it arose. I was providing the space for an open discussion in order to create a better relationship. So far I think that was a good decision. I also have made my employees aware of my open door policy for any issues work or personally related. My door is always open to them.

Fast forward, this year, I’ve tasked my team with a major shift—transitioning our operations into a fully virtual medical and claims provider for injured federal employees. This means that some roles will be eliminated, restructured, or significantly changed from their original job descriptions.

I am keenly aware that this process affects real people—their careers, their livelihoods, their sense of security. That’s why I’ve been deliberate in checking in, keeping them informed, and providing guidance throughout this transition.The truth is, I started planning this months before putting the initiative into motion. I had the time to mentally and strategically rearrange the chess pieces before making the call. My team, on the other hand, didn’t have that same luxury. They’re adjusting in real time.But what’s remarkable? They’re all in. They see the vision and are genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead.That’s the power of self-awareness—not just for the individual, but for an entire organization.

Please don’t mistake this blog as a cry for help—far from it. Things couldn’t be better. Distinctions have been made, plans carefully constructed, and actions set in motion. The statesman in me recognizes both the obligations and the privilege of my platform and position. ONE-FED is well into Q1, making moves to ensure a strong year—both personally and professionally for everyone on the team.

If you’re struggling with the challenges of the day, know that your struggles are real, and help is available. Acknowledge what you’re facing, seek support when needed, and most importantly—be safe and be good to each other.