Jumpline magazine OCT 2022-pages - Flipbook - Page 37
Chaplain’s Corner
Alex Trinchet
MDFR Chaplaincy
“Thick Skin and A Soft Heart”
I have been blessed that I’ve been able to be in public
service for over 32 years working for two Fire Departments and as an Army Ranger. I was told in those early
years that to be of service, and especially in helping others, you must have a “thick skin and a soft heart.” This
profession that we so love is motived by a heart of service, a heart to help someone in need and a proverbial “soft
heart.” We also learned early on to have a thick skin, to not let
things and people bother us. However, in time with
the calls, with life stressors such as family issues, interpersonal struggles at work or home or elsewhere,
we can become jaded. A slow progression and a flip
occurs to a “Soft skin and hard heart.” At that point
of the flip, people and things easily bother us and
that heart of service to our family and the community
becomes hardened.
pare ourselves for life’s circumstances and we also become
the individuals we are intended to be. So how do we guard and
nurture our heart? By focusing on these 3 words: Positive,
Positive, and Positive. Positive mindset, positive people,
and positive habits.
If one’s heart and mind have become more negative,
then how do we turn a hardened heart to a soft heart?
First, a recognition of one’s situation and then action. I call
it retreat, to rewind and to refocus. Take a time of solitude
and recharge with what recharges you to focus on what is truly
important. In the practical sense, it can be taking
time to rest, focusing on a healthy body, mind, and
soul or possibly returning to things that once fueled
that passion. In some cases, talking to someone
like a trusted friend, peer support member, chaplain, clergy member or counselor is what is needed to start the process of moving back to having a
“Thick Skin and A Soft Heart.”
Keep Leading, Keep Serving and Always Keep
Ready, Proud to Serve.
As the proverbs says: “Above all else, guard your
heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs
4:23). In guarding and nurturing our heart, we preGabe Nemeth, Ret.
Be well…
Hispanic American Firefighters Association
Always inclusive and
never exclusive, the
Hispanic American Firefighter Association, (aka
HAFA,) was born in
1994 over “cafecito and
cigars” at some of the
most thought-provoking
environments. Informal
gatherings were a result
of an absent voice from the Hispanic firefighters at a time when
other minority groups were strongly advocating for preferences.
Since it’s founding, HAFA remained as a diverse group of individuals focused foremost on “doing the right thing”, preserving a
proud heritage, and most importantly contributing to both MDFR
and Miami-Dade communities in a positive manner.
Over the course of the last 20 years, in conjunction with the
Miami Seaquarium and MDFR, HAFA has produced a Christ-
mas holiday event for the
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) population
attending Miami-Dade
Schools. HAFA has also
engaged and supported
CPR programs which
certified thousands of
citizens in the local community. HAFA has provided individual and family assistance to those in need, many
of whom are identified by our department. HAFA has also been
a contributor to the Make a Wish Foundation and Habitat for
Humanity. Our group has participated in many other worthy
causes and organizations benefiting children and families.
HAFA is a 100% non-profit volunteer organization with no
employees and without any compensation to its board. HAFA
membership is open to all MDFR employees.
October 2022 | JUMPLINE Magazine
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