Yesterday morning, as I was getting prepared to attend the Memorial Service of Sgt. Ron Helus, I watched the Thursday morning briefing on the Hill and Woolsey Fires by LA County Fire. This ended with the Fire Chiefs honoring Sgt. Helus with the ceremonial 3 Bell End of Watch. Assistant Police Chief Don Aguilar said a few words in his memory and mentioned that Sgt. Helus was always very preoccupied with family. His son was what he was most proudest of, and through the years, was always planning his next fishing trip with him. He also said that most of the deputies who worked with Sgt. Helus would remember his “Bottom Line” in his briefings: Have a good day, support your team, complete your mission, and get home to your families.
This week had become complicated for our family. In addition to being on alert to evacuate the area due to the Woolsey Fire, and being called out for 12 hour shifts to assist in the Security and Damage Assessment Patrols for the county, my daughters schools were now closed until after Thanksgiving, due to the amounts of dust and ash that had polluted the air. As I was coordinating to pick up and drop off various children (mine and several friends) at their various activities, it struck me how important the simplicity of Sgt. Ron’s Bottom Line was. Support your Team. Complete your mission. Get home to your family.
Today it is so easy to get immersed in an activity, but distracted from one interest to the next. A blessing and a curse of our modern day is that we have the world at our fingertips. On our digital devices, our Facebook Feeds, our Instagram posts, we can fall into a black hole of time and space, and have it occupy our minds for days and weeks. Shopping for something? Use the internet to find the best price, or the closest shop that stocks it. Check reviews and comments about which option is better, who else uses it, how many stars, is it on AmazonPrime?
Unless I have a method to track what I have spent my time on, I could easily move from one stream of consciousness to another, detoured by the information bits that pass by on my computer and iPhone.
Is it worth it? Yes…I know a small number of ideas or notions that I get from that “Fire Hose of data feed” will actually better my life or my financial accumulations, but the vast majority, will be “fluff”. And that fluff will distract me from remembering what is truly important to me—being present with my girls.
I know it is impossible to block the tide of this constant input and stimulation, but I also know that “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility”. I know that all good things in my life must be consumed with balance and temperance, lest they become obsessions. Sgt. Ron summed it up well with his daily saying, Support your Team. Complete your mission. Get home to your family. — Despite the distractions, the invitations to troll or comment on other’s Facebook posts. Despite the comments, reviews, “products related to this item”. Despite how easy it would be to rest on laurels, be lazy and not work as hard as I could. Despite the temptation to focus on selfish interests, on things that drain time or finances away from my family.
Are these efforts and actions supportive to my team? Am I staying focused on task? Does it complete my mission? Will it get me home to spend quality time with my family?
We have such a short time on this earth. In that time, we are blessed with acquaintances, friends, lovers, family and experiences. How much time do I spend with actions supportive to my team? How much time do I spend staying focused on completing my mission? How much time do I spend being present with my family?
On November 8, 2018, Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29 year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department gave his life in service of his community. Alive, he positively affected many people’s lives. After his passing, his memory still continues inspiring more. Support your Team. Complete your mission. Get home to your family.