“When your secret has been exposed, and there is nowhere left to hide, take shelter in His grace. Now is the time to pray for forgiveness, and to ask for strength to heal, to live in “truth“, to be set free.”
Month: May 2020
IT’S ALL ABOUT MINDSET – LOVE, WENDY
“When we observe a setback as an opportunity for a comeback in a more evolved way, we are in a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC
HEALING OURSELVES BY BEING MINDFUL OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH – WENDY BLANCHARD, M.S., CHHC, CPS
As we all struggle to remain in a healthy mindset, most especially as most of us remain in isolation, developing coping strategies, such as grounding techniques, which are coping strategies to help reconnect you with the present, can be very effective in offering relief from anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, and feelings that make us feel unwell.
This type of mindfulness technique, can be practiced wherever we are, at any time. It is always up to us in making a mindful choice to be well, to explore and implement any healthy practice as a protective factor when we are feeling stressed, or struggling with feelings and emotions that make us feel unwell, to bring ourselves relief and balance in a way that is specific to our own needs.
As I myself continue to struggle with sadness and anxiety over the loss of my mother two months ago, compounded with isolation due to our current pandemic, I am cognizant that my mental health needs daily care so that I am able to continue to thrive. As a holistic health counselor, recovery specialist, mental health educator and teacher, I am very in tune with my body, my mind, and my spirit. I am able to identify my emotions and feelings, to validate their existence, and the reasons that I am experiencing these feelings of grief, loss, sadness, anxiety, and loneliness. These feelings are real, and typical, and normal, in the situations that I am experiencing. I allow myself to honor my feelings and emotions, as well as allow myself the space and time that I need to work through it all, realizing that these emotions and feelings are non linear, and will continue to show up at any given time. This is where the natural and organic tools, or protective factors, that I have acquired over the past seven years of my recovery from mental health disorders and substance use disorder literally offer me resiliency, and immediate relief. Because I have the awareness of my truth, and the willingness to validate my feelings and emotions as my “normal,” I accept what I am feeling, and use this experience to evolve further and to promote wellness.
This is emotional intelligence. Non reactive. Acceptance. Allowing. Observing. Taking a healthy action toward recovery. Moving forward. Sharing my experience to help others.
When we take personal responsibility for our wellness where we continuously develop coping strategies and make healthy lifestyle choices, we build resiliency where we become more skilled at regulating and managing our emotions.
This morning, as my anxiety began to escalate, I began a specific grounding technique. I believe the Universe provides me with the answers when I allow the spiritual solutions to be provided. I heard a beautiful cacophony of sounds right outside my window of birds chirping and what seemed to be them communicating with each other. I focused on these sounds, as I began deep breathing to slow down my heart rate, and to be mindful of the present. As I practice this breathing (for 4 seconds take deep breaths in through the nose, hold for 4 seconds, and breath out for 4 seconds through the nose) I repeated to myself silently, “I am safe. All is well.” After about 5 minutes, I began to feel calmer and peaceful, and after I completed this 20 minute practice, I felt revitalized and zen with a positive mindset. This is how I love to begin my day. I was then able to sit down at my computer at my desk, look out my window at the gorgeous and serene view I am blessed to have, and to write this blog to share my experience.
Wellness is a choice. We all have mental health which rests on a continuum and moves along this continuum depending upon what is going on within us, and around us, at any given time throughout our day. This is where the importance of self care, and the willingness to want to be well, is the catalyst in achieving wellness…one day at a time.
Wellness is a positive approach to living and emphasizes the whole person. It is the integration of the body, mind and spirit, and the understanding that everything that we think, feel, say, and believe has a direct impact upon our overall health. When we strengthen our wellness mindset, we empower ourselves to make healthy choices.
For information on other mindfulness and grounding strategies, and how I can help you in managing your emotions through my health counseling program, please click on my contact page on this website, and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours. Take advantage of a free 20 minute health consultation to see if my program is right for you!
Wishing you harmonious health 4 life!
Love and blessings,
Wendy
SELF CARE – LOVE, WENDY
“I choose to depend only upon myself as I know that I am the only one I can trust to take care of me.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC
EXCERPT #2 FROM MY UPCOMING BOOK-WRITE PRAY RECOVER: A JOURNEY TO WELLNESS THROUGH SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS AND SELF CARE – WENDY BLANCHARD, M.S., CHHC, CPS
“Throughout my active prescription drug addiction, I was blessed with a strong and loving connection to the Universe/God/Spirit. So, although my mindset was altered by the pills that I was taking, I still experienced a deep awareness to Spirit. I knew, intuitively, that I was gravely ill and that I needed to tell someone that I needed help to save my life, or that my death would be imminent. It was so clear to me that the more I prayed, the more I heard and felt Spirit present offering me many opportunities to ask for help. I would experience serendipity. I would receive messages and what I refer to as “signs” that would offer me solutions and reassurance that I was surrounded by loving Spirit. It is even a stronger presence today than ever before. My senses are highly aligned with Spirit’s connection and daily communication.
I can recall on the morning before I asked for help Spirit speaking to me through a moderator on the morning NBC newscast. I remember it so vividly and knew that the Universe/God/Spirit was speaking directly to me. I was completely awake, and aware of an intense spiritual awakening happening for me. The newscaster at that time, Matt L., began talking about prescription drug addiction and the seriousness of the way it had been on the rise, and the loss of life related to addiction. He went on further to say that there was help available, and offered resources. I remember this newscaster looking directly into the camera and saying, “There is help available.” I got a visceral feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew he was speaking to me on behalf of the Universe/God/Spirit. I immediately began sobbing and saying, “Thank you,” to God for this reassurance. Being so self aware of my truth, and of my deeply rooted spiritual connection allowed me to finally speak my truth to my primary care physician, Dr. Bruce Levitt. Dr. Levitt sent me to the emergency room at our local hospital, and after 24 hours post medical stabilization, I was transferred to the detox and recovery unit. After five days, I left for California to visit my 100 year old grandmother who was my loving lifeline throughout my life, where I thought I would rest and recover on my own terms. However, after just 48 hours, I became aware of just how physically and mentally ill I was by the Grace of God’s profound presence. I was going through a severe withdrawal from having no pills for about a week. I was experiencing flu like symptoms that were crippling. I was experiencing severe cardiac symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and severe irritability that I could not calm. I was experiencing serious delusions where I began seeing things and hearing things that nobody else heard or saw. I was painfully aware that I needed intensive treatment, inpatient, and medical supervision.
As alone as I felt in my mental and physical pain, I was so cognizant of my Spiritual connection and felt Divinely loved and supported. I never felt judged. I had a distinct “knowing” that the moment I would be ready to ask for this next stage of care, the Universe would guide me to safety through Spirit. Once I spoke my truth, out loud, and asked God to “show me the way out of this hopelessness, helplessness, and disease,” I was led directly and immediately to the people who could provide me with the care that I needed, and the tools to begin my recovery. I picked up the phone and called a facility in Costa Mesa, California. One of the substance abuse counselors that I met at the hospital during my five day detox in New York, provided me with this contact information when I left the hospital in case I decided to ask for further intensive care in the future. This was Divine intervention lovingly guiding me, and I was so aware of God’s plan. All I had to do was ask, and I would be guided. I asked, and I received.”
EXCERPT FROM WRITE PRAY RECOVER:A JOURNEY TO WELLNESS THROUGH SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS AND SELF CARE
A NEW BEGINNING…BY THE GRACE OF GOD
“In early 2013, shortly after I began my own recovery from lifelong addiction to prescription pills, and co-occurring disorders, my son, Matthew, and I, began a blog and website (no longer online) called The Rx Diaries, where my son designed a platform for me to write about my recovery from substance use disorder and mental illness. He came up with the words, “recovery, rebirth, release,” and used a butterfly as the focal point of my logo. No truer words resonate with me. The butterfly is an accurate depiction of my journey. I have broken free from the darkness, abandoned the cocoon, and I am free to live in my truth.
We have many “rebirths” throughout our lives, and each time we release what we learned that no longer serves us. As we shed that skin, we continue to learn, grow, and evolve, and to remain in a state of ease within our truest and highest self, where we are also able to offer ourselves, fully, to helping others on their journeys.
Recovery from anything is ongoing. It is a journey, and it is all about what road we choose to travel. There are times when we travel in the darkness and there are times when we hit a roadblock. We must remember that as we remain focused, as we remain in faith, as we remain determined, the sun will shine the light on us once again so we may continue on our way home. For me, I chose the road less travelled, yet have never lost my way.
It is said that everyone loves a comeback story. This is especially true for the woman who came back from a life of substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders. The woman with an inspirational story to share that offers hope to others struggling with this disease. A woman that nearly died of this disease in early 2013.
On April 2, 2013, I got ready for bed and in a moment where I had some clarity, I dropped to my knees and asked the Universe/God/Spirit to please help me, to save my life. I said, “God/Universe/Spirit, if you show me the way out of this, I will devote my life to any path you put before me.”
I have always felt a deep spiritual connection to the Universe through music, and said to the Universe at the end of my prayer, “In the next song on the radio, please give me a sign that you are with me.” I sat down on the edge of my bed, turned on the radio, and the first song to play was, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The words touched my heart, and I became so emotional. “Jesus, take the wheel, take it from my hands. I can’t do this on my own. I’m letting go… So give me one more chance. Save me from this road I’m on. Jesus, take the wheel.”
I went to bed knowing that I would soon be given specific guidance from the Universe that would ultimately save my life. I woke up the next morning and I heard a strong intuitive voice say to me, “Call for help. It is time.” And I heard this voice tell me that “everything is going to be alright.” I have been listening to that voice ever since. April 3, 2013 was the day that my life was saved by the Grace of God.”
CHOICES – LOVE, WENDY
“Patterns are conscious choices.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC
GIVING OVER – LOVE, WENDY
“When I give up, I’ve lost my faith…
When I give in, I’ve lost my voice…
When I give over, I have faith in Spirit to hear my voice, and to offer a creative solution…
There is a spiritual solution for every challenge.
If we are enlightened, we give over, practice patience, gratitude and faith, we hear clear direction, and move forward accordingly…without a desperate attempt to control.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC
AWARENESS – LOVE, WENDY
“On a spiritual journey, we continuously seek answers. We seek deeper awareness of oneself and of Spirit. We are open and willing to understand our own emotions, and behaviors, without self judgement, as we follow spiritual guidance and solutions.
Fear of our truth, of past pain, may block our awareness. We may feel anger. We may feel anxiety or deep sadness, and even grieve loss of time and/or experiences.
When we willingly seek answers, slowly and methodically…we create the space for awareness, awakening and growth.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC
TRAUMA HEALING – LOVE, WENDY
“Trauma, when left unresolved and untreated, shows up over ones lifetime, repeatedly. A trauma response can be something as simple as a benign word or phrase that causes one to be triggered into feelings and emotions of unworthiness, self loathing, and shame based on a past experience which may have been traumatic and/or extremely stressful.
A trauma response can look like ongoing anxiety, depression, “shutting down” as in “contracting,” isolation, thoughts of hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. These emotions then cause us to feel unwell physically.
If we have the “conscious awareness” or the evolution in our reasoning skills, we can connect the dots and take responsibility in recognizing our own patterns of behavior in relation to our suffering.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT WHICH IS OUR GREATEST CATALYST FOR CHANGE.
All we need to remember is that WE ALL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH, and the first step in healing is to listen to, and be guided by, our own truth…and then…to ask for support. This is our greatest form of self care.
”Self care are the actions that we take to achieve wellness, and wellness is where we stand in our power.”
Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC, CPS
Write Pray Recover 