Live In The Moment

According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 25% of U.S. adults struggle with depression, anxiety, or some combination of the two. What's more alarming than 1 in 4 adults struggling with these two are the fact that 34% of adolescents were found (same research by NIMH) to be living with Anxiety or Depression. 

Depression, often focused on what happened in the past and reliving it over and over again, and anxiety, worrying about the future and the unknowns of what's ahead of us, are two things that do nothing but rob the joy from our reality and keep us from being thankful for the here and now we find ourselves in and living life the way we are suppose to! I learned a long time ago if you'll live in your "3-Foot World" and only think about things you can impact or control, then you can get through anything! Your attitude, character, effort, focus, mood, love and faith are just a few examples of what you can control. What other people say, think, or do; how they feel or react; in addition to taxes, the weather, traffic and college football are a short list of things you can't control. 

You only get one shot at life, when you waste it worrying about something that isn't promised (and is out of your control), or sad about something you can't redo, then you are not making the most of the opportunities freedom affords you here in this great country. You can do anything, be anything, and trying anything you want because so many gave up their tomorrows for Your Today, live in it!! Live your life to the max and don't be chained down by anxiety and depression, because as we are learning now, it's not ONLY holding you back, but will your kids as well.

We teach a lot at Down Range (campdownrange.org) about living in your 3FW because so many of the youngsters come to us from situations they can't control, parents that made bad choices, families that aren't great, pasts that have scars, and questionable futures. The best thing is, the exact message a fifteen year old boy needs to hear is often the same as the thirty-five year old mom, forty-two year old dad, or twenty-two year old college student: "You have the ability to change your life; you're not a victim, you're in charge of not only how you feel, but what actions you take and NO ONE ELSE. Take responsibility and know that self-doubt and self-pity will rot your mind and soul. Be You!" 

So, whether you find yourself worrying about how someone is going to act or feel tomorrow, depressed about the choices someone made, or thinking you'll never be able to change, take some truths we believe and put them into action around the details of your life (email me cj@campdownrange.org if you need help):

- I am responsible for my thoughts, words, feelings, and actions; therefore I can change them

- My theology can override my biology

- Learned behaviors (depression, anxiety, anger, etc.) are not inherited through genetic lines and can be cut

- Baggage only goes as far as you'll carry it (no backpack ever finds its way home without a student carrying it)

- If you live fully in the here-and-now then there won't be time to think about the past or future

- If it's true for others, and others can do it, that means you can too

- Not being able and not wanting to change are two different things

- Danger and Fear have nothing to do with each other. Danger is very real, and fear is completely made up. That is why you can be in so much danger and be completely calm because you have no idea; yet on the other hand you can be completely safe and entirely full of fear. 

- It's all a choice, your choice & yours alone

- Look up Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and the ABC Model. Basically, what you think and believe controls what you do and how you feel, NOT what others are doing to you or what's happening around you. Change your thoughts and your behavior changes. 

- Don't like how you're feeling, change your thoughts!

- Your mind can be the weakest part of your body or the toughest. An anchor and symbol of your strength, or a crutch to your stumbling through life slowly relying on others

It's all about ownership and responsibility! No complaining and whining, and do your part and then let others do their's!

Hang Tough,

CJ

PS - Paisley is going to be the toughest little girl you've ever met: psychologically emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually! I mean she's already adorable (as seen on Daddy Duty)

All the reason in the world to live in the here and now for me, what's yours?

 

Paintball Course Fundraiser

Down Range is excited to announce our newest addition:

A PAINTBALL COURSE

Our newly constructed paintball course consists of two buildings with multiple rooms, several fighting positions and two fortified bases. Down Range now has two sites for groups to choose from to play in and several options of scenarios they can choose to participate in. Down Range staff will also provide not only safety training and demonstrations, but will also facilitate tactical training and education for teams before they lock and load. 

At Down Range, we don't just "play" paintball where everyone gets a gun, 250 paintballs, and goes wild shooting everything. We are unique in the fact that we always provide scenarios (recreate real life events such as Black Hawk Down, The Alamo, or Op Red Wings) that involve strategy, mission planning, role assignments, and proper execution, which is always harder when someone is shooting at you - even if it's just paintballs. 

We are also having a fundraiser to celebrate the addition of the paintball course! We are going to construct a sign located on the paintball course that will provide an awesome visual of Down Range's community support. In addition, we are also providing two raffles for a chance to come out with friends and personally experience the paintball course! This fundraiser begins now and will end on Labor Day. (29 Days) 

Here are the details! 

Below is an example of what the sign will look like (size and color of actual sign may vary). 
We will use the photographed sign to keep track of our progress. Once the fundraiser is over, we will use this sign to guide the construction of the actual sign on the paintball course. 

The words "Down Range" and the border are divided into 250 sections. There are two options for participating in this fundraiser. 

Option 1

There are 100 sections in the words "Down Range." When you donate $100 to the CJ Stewart Foundation we will write your name and hometown in one of these sections. Your name will be on the actual sign located on the paintball course! We will also enter your name in a chance to win our $100 raffle. The lucky winner will receive a 4 hour rental of the paintball course for up to 16 players. This is a value of $760. 

Option 2

There are 150 sections that make up the border on the sign. When you donate $50 to the CJ Stewart Foundation we will write your name and hometown in one of those sections. Again, your name will be transferred onto the actual sign once it is constructed! We will also enter your name in a chance to win our $50 raffle. This includes a 4 hour rental of the paintball course for up to 8 players. This is a value of $405. 

The winners of the two raffles will be drawn on September 10th. 

After the fundraiser ends, we will begin construction of the sign for the paintball course! Until then, we will keep you updated on our progress!! Please share this post on your social media page to help us spread the word! 

How can I make my donation? 

We recommend you use https://cjstewart.thedonortree.com/donate

This is the fastest and easiest way to donate! 

Or you can send a check to:

CJ Stewart Foundation
P.O. Box 739
Clinton, MS 39060

Please clarify on your check that your donation is for the paintball fundraiser. This will help with tax deduction forms. 

Step-By-Step Guide:

1) donate $50, $100 or more 

2) send an email to abbymiller_22@hotmail.com with the correct spelling of the names and hometown you desire to be written on the sign (please include your donation amount for clarity). 

Example:
John and Mary Smith
Brandon, MS

Donated $50

3) share this fundraiser on social media




FAQ:

1) Can I choose which section I want my name written in? 

Yes! You can choose as long as that section has not already been chosen by another donor and as long as the $50 donations are in the border and $100 donations are written in the words "Down Range." 

2) What happens if I want to donate for more than one section? 

If the sections are next to each other, we can write you name larger to fill up all the sections you donate for. We will also put your name in the raffle for each section you donate for. 

3) What if I want to donate and have my name written on the sign, but don't necessarily want to play paintball? 

You can do one of two things: 
You can notify us that you want your name removed from the raffle. Or you can simply gift the day of paintball to someone else if you were to win the drawing. 

4) How long will my name remain on the sign?

We cannot specify exact longevity of the sign, but we can say this... "We have no intention of taking this sign down for a very long time." 

5) Who do I contact if I don't win the raffle but still want to come out and play paintball? 

Please visit our website www.cjstewart.organd sign up there! 

6) If I win the raffle, how do I schedule my day to play paintball? 

The winner of the raffles can email C.J. at cj@cjstewart.org to schedule their day for paintball. We are open on weekdays and weekends. We will do our best to coordinate a time that works well for both you and the camp. 

7) Can I reserve sections on the sign?

Unfortunately no reservations can be made without payment. Once your donation is received, we can then proceed with specific sections on the sign. 

8) Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. 

9) Who can I communicate with if I have any further questions about this fundraiser?

Please feel free to communicate with Abby Blackburn regarding this fundraiser. Her email is abbymiller_22@hotmail.com. 

Thanks for your continued support!

Hang Tough