Author: wendyblanchard044

Author, Mental Health and Wellness Educator, Board Certified Peer Specialist in mental health and substance use disorder, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

The Truth Revealed (And What Comes Next):Soul Notes – Love, Wendy

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Most of us ask for closure when what we are actually begging for is an explanation. But what happens when the explanation doesn’t end the story, but starts a whole new chapter?

When we ask for the “truth to be revealed” in order to experience closure, we must prepare ourselves to receive it. And, sometimes it will not deliver closure at all. Only more epiphanies. “Truth” can actually open another door into deeper understanding, self-knowledge, resilience, and spiritual discernment.

The hardest truth to face isn’t what someone else hid from us…it is what our own intuition tried to tell us all along.

Wow. 

Yet, it may cause us to reach higher, and deeper, in our next relationship. And, we may learn more about our own resilience, and more about the inner work we still need to do, including following and trusting The Universe’s/God’s initial guidance. 

The deepest lesson isn’t simply what someone else did or failed to do, but what we knew or sensed before everything unfolded…and what happens when we learn to trust that knowing more fully.

Rebuilding is a process that creates an even stronger foundation of self, with the Universe, and with another as we begin again…

It’s about rebuilding the architecture of yourself first, and then allowing whatever relationship comes next to be built upon something much more solid…

A brick and mortar foundation…vs a screen time illusion.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

It Is Always Winter:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy

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She had so much going for her.

Intelligence.

Personality.

Generosity to a fault…

And…her beauty was external, but more than that…her inner beauty shared the depth of her soul. She exuded empathy and kindness, love and compassion and patience. Forgiveness. Love…

She was so loved, but then…in the depths of abuse and neglect…she lost her way…and they abandoned her.

She stood alone. A cold, dark winter that never brought another spring…and that lasted the rest of her life…

Her beauty faded into despair.

Her despair took her life…And nobody noticed.

Did she really ever exist?

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

Betrayal:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy

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People reveal their character not only by how they treat the people they need, but by how they treat the people they no longer “need”…with an insatiable desire to be liked.

It’s realizing that the person you thought you knew is not the person you believed they were after someone steps forward saying, “I feel you should know…” That can hurt more than the actual exclusion.

And perhaps the most painful part is knowing that the exclusion they once shared that they experienced by these same people…the heartbreak they experienced at the hands of the very same people they have now aligned themselves with…is the same exclusion they are now inflicting.

A profound kind of betrayal.

In a world where it seems too many people are normalizing purposeful exclusion, dismantling of community, and a “Mean Girls” mentality, let us normalize inclusion and kindness.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

Patterns:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy

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I observe behavior and think to myself, “I won’t take this personally. What else can be true about the situation?”…

But then, after watching their consistent patterns, I realize…they know exactly what they are doing.

This is another opportunity to build grit and resilience…

Thick skin…ten toes down…forge ahead with empty hands…

This is not yours to carry.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

One:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy

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It only takes one small cloud to block the sun.

It takes only one unkind word to break a spirit.

One smile can heal a heavy heart…

“One is the loneliest number that you’ve ever known.” (Three Dog Night)

“It Takes Two” Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

Bring the sunshine. Speak with kindness. Share your smile.

Sing a different tune…

Be that one.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY:PAUSE TO BE PRESENT. PATIENTLY PROCESS – LOVE, WENDY

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Think about the people, places and things in your life that are easily accessible and comfortable…isn’t it tempting to place yourself where you know these situations are not healthy for you because it requires little to no effort to reach for familiarity…especially when you are lonely and bored and begin to romanticize the good times? Familiarity becomes seductive because it is easy, particularly when loneliness, boredom, or vulnerability lowers our resistance. 

We neglect to recall the excessive stress and emotional and physical depletion that came with that person, place or thing as it existed in our space…

Once you understand your vulnerable moments, you can prepare for them.

Change your environment, practice self-care radically, place yourself in an environment that brings you peace, wellness, and happiness even when you must plan for it…

Practice delayed gratification to ensure your mental and physical well being. Instant gratification is born of anxiety and lonliness…and convenience can masquerade as comfort. Something can be familiar, accessible, and immediately gratifying while simultaneously being completely misaligned with our wellbeing.

When our actions require little to no energy…it becomes an automatic response in our behavior whether or not it is a healthy choice…and we become complacent in our wellbeing.

Each decision is a choice…

“PAUSE TO BE PRESENT. PATIENTLY PROCESS. Take one slow deep breath through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat three times. Your breath is your most accessible tool to intervene with your physiology in real time. Focus on your breath to align with the present moment.”

(Read more about this in my book, Write Pray Recover:A Journey To Wellness Through Spiritual Solutions and Self Care-Chapter 6 https://a.co/d/0fMlLK7Y)

Ask yourself, “Is this choice out of convenience, or is it a choice that is promoting my peace and wellbeing?” ”What do I really need in this moment to promote my wellness and peace?” Lastly, ask yourself “What is the quality of the relationship you have with yourself? How do you honor yourself daily? Write the intimate details of this relationship.”

This pause and remaining present to your reality gives you the discernment and control you need to choose again and again until you recognize and “feel” the perfect alignment.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Soul Notes, Write Pray Recover

NEVER LET THE TRUTH INTERFERE WITH A GOOD STORY:SOUL NOTES – LOVE, WENDY

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Through both my lived experiences and my field experiences, I have learned that those who lack emotional intelligence are often emotionally immature people, lack self-esteem, and experience accountability as an attack.

Accountability threatens the narrative when someone’s self-image depends on being the innocent, misunderstood, or “always right” person.

Taking responsibility for their words and behaviors is unlikely because it threatens the story they need to believe about themselves and portray for others…

When the truth threatens their story, they are sticking to it…


“NEVER LET THE TRUTH INTERFERE WITH A GOOD STORY.”

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life, Write Pray Recover

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH – LOVE, WENDY

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September is Suicide Awareness Month…

I had the opportunity to implement my training as a Mental Health First Aider and Suicide Safety instructor yesterday in two separate incidents. And last month, I was called to use both of these trainings for a dear friend who just lost his wife to suicide. 

I am a certified trainer and would encourage you to take this 8 hour MHFA training.

In today’s culture and climate, we all need to practice our own self care in order to live with mental and physical health, and to know how to support someone else who does not have these tools.

“Mental Health First Aid gives you the skills to recognize when someone is facing mental health or substance use challenges — and the confidence to be their first source of support. Whether you’re helping a loved one or handling your own stress, MHFA offers real-world training and tools to cope with mental health challenges.”

I had experienced a physical health emergency Thursday after work requiring steroid treatment and complete bed rest, and Friday morning as I was recovering, I received two (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) requests for assistance.

Both are doing well this morning.

Sometimes words can guide and support, and as a Mental Health First Aider and teacher, I knew exactly how to use my words as my guidance and support for these precious souls.

For information on becoming a Mental Health First Aider, go to https://mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

In addition, IN HONOR OF SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, I AM AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING TRAINING: 

SUICIDE SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS

APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS

I am a certified trainer licensed by the Suicide Prevention Center of NY State.

This workshop offers the following goals in prevention and awareness:

To review the importance of suicide prevention

Describe characteristics of at-risk students

Outline your critical but limited role

Clarify your building referral process

Identify school and community resources

Talking about suicide in the classroom

What every teacher should know

Understanding warning signs

Understanding protective factors

Understanding a “warm hand-off”

Email me at wendyblanchard044@gmail.com

Text TRAINING to 845-263-4094.

Love and blessings,

Wendy