Let’s Chat: Finding harmony in today’s busy world

By Linda Tooth on August 20, 2025.

I have previously written on the topic of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder as it relates to first responders. After that column appeared, a former police officer, who is now a coworker, reached out to me as they have been diagnosed with PTSD and suggested I read Andrew McLean’s book Beaten Black & Blue – A Journey into the Light.

McLean is a former police officer from the Waterloo, Ont., region who trained at the Ontario Police College and went through the ranks of being a rookie working a minimum of 12-hour shifts with hours of overtime on the street, all the way to detective.

McLean details the struggles he faced as he tried desperately to find a balance between work and family responsibilities. Like many people we know, his struggles to find a balance between work and family were met with disastrous results, as his marriage fell apart and work took over, and then work fell apart and he left his career as a police officer.

Between those dark times McLean lost his father, struggled to keep his marriage in tact and be present for his two daughters, but when he felt he had no other choice he contemplated suicide as a way to escape the darkness enveloping him.

I’ve also written a column on my belief that a work-life balance does not exist. Too many marriages, relationships, careers and lives are lost because people believe a true balance is possible.

Instead, I believe it should be known as work-life harmony. We have to work to find a way for everything we have going on in our lives to exist harmoniously, as there are only 24 hours in a day and only seven days in a week.

I have been feeling very overwhelmed lately and have not been living a harmonious life. Between the health issues we have faced, kitchen renovations, family wedding, family visiting and a sick two-month-old family member, it has been a lot.

My way of coping was eating, and from that I have gained weight. To help correct that, I jumped at the chance to come to Ontario and help my niece with childcare for my great-niece. For five days we will be colouring, watching Disney movies, going to the park and eating ice cream!

This will be my opportunity to regroup and find that harmony I desperately need. I encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed to take a breath and look at everything you have going on. Please know that if you need help, it is out there. Do not be afraid to ask.

For anyone interested in being a first responder, I would suggest reading this book. It will give you a very personal look at what one person went through as a police officer in this country.

Have a Meowtastic day and keep reading!

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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