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Chapel hosts spiritual resiliency event
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- More than 100 Airmen, civilians, contractors and dependents participated in the Vandenberg Chapel's Spiritual Resiliency 5k Run/1 Mile Walk here Jan. 31.
"Many people start the year with a resolution, something they intend to do or not do in order to improve their life," said Maj. Martin Adamson, 30th Space Wing deputy wing chaplain. "We wanted to start the year off with a fun way to highlight the importance of improving every aspect of our lives."
The event was an opportunity for Airmen to focus on the four pillars of the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness initiative, which includes physical, social, mental, and spiritual fitness and resiliency.
"You can measure how spiritually resilient you are by how you respond in difficult times," said Capt. Aleck Brown, a 30th Space Wing Protestant Chaplain. "If you are one who runs away from challenges then you might not be as resilient as you think you are. Obstacles are designed not to trip us up, but to build our resolve to rise above circumstances."
Each participant was given a small stone to carry as a visible reminder of what keeps them steadfast and grounded. Along the route, they were faced with four challenge points where they briefly paused to negotiate an obstacle activity before continuing on their path.
"The stone served as a reminder that you are able to persevere through whatever comes your way," said Brown. "It is important for us to recognize that even through the storms that may come, if we are anchored in our faith then we can overcome."
The chapel offers weekly worship opportunities and small group studies for Protestant and Catholic Airmen, civilians and family members, as well as bimonthly meetings for the Jewish community. Airmen of other faiths may get in touch with the chapel for contact information for local groups.
"We are all in the oven of life," said Adamson. "If we find that we are constantly getting burned by life, and it is negatively affecting us, our family members, or our work duties, it might be an indication that we have not developed that framework of meaning in life that uses heat to our advantage. A spiritually resilient person has prepared themselves, has put in good ingredients to help them withstand the heat and cook properly."