A NEW BEGINNING
In early 2013, shortly after I began my recovery from lifelong prescription drug addiction and co-occurring mental health 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 resonated 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 learn 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. In those “in between” moments, we learn resourcefulness and resiliency in waiting out the darkness, knowing that the sun will always come out tomorrow. For me, I chose the road less travelled, yet have never lost my way. I would hear the song, “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow,” in my head, and continued along the lighted path.
It is said that everyone loves a comeback story. This is especially true for the woman who came back swinging from a life of Substance Use Disorder and co-occurring mental health 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, but made a comeback through a Divine Intervention moment, a moment of clarity, a moment where I made a decision to look up, pray like my life depended up on it, and it did, and then, in that moment, surrendered. Me, Wendy Blanchard, I wrote, I prayed, I recovered through discipline, determination, and persistence in practicing spiritual solutions and self care…and through these practices,
WRITE PRAY RECOVER:A JOURNEY TO WELLNESS THROUGH SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS AND SELF CARE, THIS LABOR OF LOVE THAT I AM SHARING, WAS BORN.
Before we begin, I want to say an extra special, “Thank you,” to my devoted, loving and supportive son, Matthew, who has been my greatest cheerleader, my greatest supporter, encouraging me through every step of my recovery, and for being my best friend. My son is deeply empathetic and compassionate, he says “just like you, mom,” and has forgiven the years of hardship that he endured due to my addiction, mental illness, and the poor choices associated with an unwell body, mind, and spirit.
All of my children have rallied around me in my recovery with deep love and encouragement, and it is in great part due to their devotion and forgiveness that I have made such extraordinary progress in my wellness. I am finally the mom they deserve to have, and I feel so blessed each time I hear one of my precious children call my by my heartwarming name, “Mom.” I am living up to what this endearing term means to us all…unconditional love, a safe, non judgmental space, providing joyous and meaningful experiences, loving guidance when asked, intermittent unsolicited, well meaning insight, standing beside her children through every storm, and offering choices and solutions, yet allowing her children to make the ultimate decision in their own time as to what is best for them individually, and most importantly, steadfastly standing in the space of love, compassion, peace, and eagerness to live each and every moment with passion and authenticity. It was the thought of my children, Matthew, Nicole, Olivia, and Sarah, and my deep love of my children, in that Divinely led moment, that gave me an indescribable strength to speak my truth in asking for help to save my life.
Here is my story…
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.” 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.”
The following is the prayer I created in my early recovery. I use this every day to connect to Spirit. Feel free to adapt into your meditation and prayer practice:
Dearest Enlightening and Loving Spirit and Angels of the Highest Blessings,
I see beyond my physical sight when I am present. I hear beyond my physical hearing when I am open. When I allow myself to receive in a loving space, I am limitless. I listen for your words as I ask for guidance each day, and I follow your wisdom. I feel your presence inside of me and all around me that is all encompassing love. I am so grateful to have your loving guidance. Thank you for my divine gift of connection, and for all of my blessings. Please continue to keep me deeply grounded in faith, and show me where to go, who to see, what to say and to whom, to help another soul.
Amen…Sat Nam…And So It Is…
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Please visit my website often for more excerpts and for release date of my book coming in December, 2021!
Write Pray Recover 