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Keeping it Simple-Love, Wendy

Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Ramadan…

Today, in the midst of these sacred celebrations that many of us are observing, I reflect upon this, my 10th year of recovery from prescription drug addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. I am reminded of what I had asked God to provide for me throughout my recovery into wellness…

It was simple…

My health and wellness body, mind and spirit…

Done.

To rebuild my relationships with my children…

Done.

To find the motivation through God to work hard in order to provide financially for myself. I talk about my former partner, Steve, in my book, Write Pray Recover, and I am reminded of something I used to tell Steve about what I prayed for. Again, so simple…

To be able to afford to buy my organic foods to cook at home, to be able to afford my supplements and vitamins, to go on a vacation once a year, to be able to make purchases once in awhile for my children and grandchildren, to have the ability to donate to charity, and to stay healthy and well enough to provide for myself the basic necessities of housing, a car, electricity, etc. And most importantly, to experience love. Love of family and friends, love of self, love with a life partner.

Done.

I have also prayed to God to allow me to build my business, Harmonious Health 4 Life, and to complete my now published book, Write Pray Recover:A Journey To Wellness Through Spiritual Solutions and Self Care, in order to serve globally, others living with the disorders that nearly took my life, and devastated my family and friends as they watched me near death for so many years. I asked God to allow me to be a conduit to a spiritual connection in order for others to find their own wellness, and to heal. I asked to be guided by Him, lifelong, to support me on my own wellness path in order to lead by example, and that He walk with me every step of the way.

And, this prayer, as well, has been answered.

I continue to live a deeply spiritual life, and find that my life is so different than it was prior to my recovery.

I had access to as much money as I needed and desired to make every purchase that I wanted to make for myself and my family, i.e., cars, jewelry, trips, clothes, etc., a gorgeous 4,000 square foot home, pool, hot tub, and never wanting for anything materialistically, and yet, I felt completely empty. There was no peace in my life. There was no connection in my life. Everything was a struggle between myself and some of my family members, and my then husband. No meeting of the minds with anyone, and I continued to use prescription opiates and benzodiazepines to numb the void, and the suppressed trauma of long ago. Even in the years leading up to my experience of Divine intervention where I asked God to save my life, I felt isolated, lost and alone. Until my D.I. (Divine Intervention). There was no amount of money or “things” that provided me with a feeling of connection, or could fill the void I felt throughout my life where love and peace were not present.

Today, I remind myself of how far I have come in so many ways, and helping so many others by the grace of God. I remind myself about the first few years of my recovery where I could not afford to buy garbage bags at the supermarket, but instead shopped at the dollar store (good bargains there always, of course!) A few times, I asked Steve if he could “loan me” a couple of garbage bags. I was living paycheck to paycheck, barely. And, not until Christmas of 2019, could I afford to buy myself a long desired purchase of a FitBit! I found one with the exact melon color band that I had been eyeing for YEARS, and was able to buy it and pay for it in one purchase. I have learned patience. I have learned the beauty and meaning of delayed gratification rather than the immediate gratification that was always present in my married life where resources were bountiful, (yet where I was all but dead inside). And, I have learned the meaning of earning my own living, and carefully budgeting what is realistic and necessary in my life.

I now live in a new, gorgeous apartment of merely 750 square feet with a beautiful view of nature that is so healing for me, where it is so peaceful, where I take excellent care of myself living a spiritual life connected to God/Spirit/Universe, and where I choose to experience peace and wellness in every moment. I detach permanently from anything or anyone toxic, and I am immersed in the love I share with my family and friends. This is my joy. My cup runneth over with wellness and blessings.

I take immense pride in the gorgeous life that I have co-created with the Universe.

I am deeply humbled.

I am deeply grateful to God.

I keep it simple.

I pay it forward.

Wellness, peace, joy and love. A gorgeous life.

Keeping it simple.

One moment at a time, one hour at a time, as I continue on my journey where I “Write Pray and Recover” in order to continue to heal, to serve, and to lead by example.

When we allow ourselves to be spiritually connected and open to whatever “source of a higher power” that resonates with us individually, we experience an awakening, often, over and over. We learn, we grow, we evolve, and we live “wide awake” rather than merely exist.

To view all of my programs, and holistic health and wellness information, please visit, www.harmonioushealth4life.com

To read all of my inspirational writing, and to order my book, please visit www.writeprayrecover.com

You can also order my book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, Nook, Goodreads, and other online stores worldwide.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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A SPIRITUAL SUGGESTION FROM MY SPIRITUAL TEACHER – LOVE WENDY

I continued to seek spiritual guidance as to why I energetically feel one who is long estranged from me still present within my being, and in my space in every moment that I am awake.

I sought out my answer in a conversation with my spiritual coach and teacher. She suggests a simple spiritual solution as she shares that “this is what is coming to me” after I share my frustration…

“What if you just allowed him to be present with you energetically rather than resisting it?”

An “AHA” moment.

Amen…

This simple suggestion from a wise spiritual teacher immediately offered me comfort and ease.

Now, in every moment, I look up and know that I have grace through the simplest spiritual solutions, and in receiving guidance and answers, I accept what is.

Spirit is always communicating with me in a variety of ways, and now, I am able to welcome my estranged loved one into my experiences and into my space with ease and gratitude “as if” he is here.

No more resistance. I have a “knowing” that there is a spiritual reason for our energies to be entwined. I may never know what the reason is, but as I always say, “Thy Will Be Done.”

Love,

Wendy

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CONNECTION – LOVE, WENDY

“We all want to be seen and to be heard.

We want to be seen in our most beautiful vulnerability of imperfections where we are admired, and heard as though our voice shares wisdom not to be missed.

When we feel certain that our need to be seen and heard is validated, we once again feel connected, and we no longer feel isolated.

Acceptance of who we are wherever we are on our journey at any given moment can be life changing as validation and connection is the opposite of darkness.”

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT:Socratic Questioning to assist in going within to find our own answers, and to widen the lens of perspective-Love, Wendy

Question your assumptions and limiting beliefs. Look at possibilities through a wider lens.

Is it possible that everyone in the world has mental health?
Is it possible to experience depression and anxiety and live a productive, fulfilling and joyful life?
Is it possible to feel our symptoms of our own mental health in a specific way to us?
Is it possible that many people are uneducated or misinformed about what mental health truly is?
Is it possible for educated people to think and behave in uneducated or unhealthy ways occasionally?
Is it possible that people who had unhealthy or toxic childhood‘s find healthy ways to live as an adult?
Is it possible that the best way to help someone is not to help them, but to guide them, to plant a seed to allow them to grow organically?

Labels of mental illness, depressive thinking, or any other type of mood disorder lead us to only see the possibilities that fit into a narrow spectrum of the prevailing emotional bias, and propaganda backs it up fueling stigma.

Do not pathologize or globalize specific instances. Feeling emotional about something has nothing to do with reality. We are then thinking with our emotional mind versus our logical mind. The interpretive lens of depression is narrowly filtered.

Having stated the above, it is imperative to also state that WE ARE ALLOWED TO FEEL HOWEVER WE FEEL. WE MUST OFFER OURSELVES THAT VALIDATION.

Consider these questions:

Is it always someone’s fault to be experiencing mental health challenges or disorders?
Is it linked to genetic predisposition? To our environment? To our lack of self-care?
Can people find their own awareness and prevention strategies to make change on their own?
Could they possibly realize that they need professional help and ask for support?
Can we offer them resources to guide them if they ask for support and guidance?

People make illogical and uninformed jumps all the time. They go from specific to global:
“I am depressed/anxious. I must be crazy/mentally ill/bi-polar.”
“I fail to regulate my emotions so I must be completely unhealthy and untreatable.”
“I’m a total embarrassment. I don’t deserve to be loved. Nobody would ever want to be with me.” “I am not good enough.”
“If I need a mental health day/days/month, and/or support, I must be a failure/weak.”

These are powerful and classic mental health bias. Socratic questioning can correct this type of bias and reasoning which generally lies unexamined beneath feelings of fear, hopelessness, and misinformation.

WE ALL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH.

Our mental health lies on a continuum. Depending upon what is going on within us and around us, and how well we are practicing our daily self care, we move along the continuum from feeling well to unwell, and anywhere in between.

Join me in my global call to action: Normalizing Mental Health. #normalizementalhealth

For information on how to join my global group of dedicated professionals and peer specialists, and to be a part of my “Falling Back Into Wellness” Symposium on November 5, 2022 where we are providing informational workshops and trainings on mental health and wellness, and to learn more about my “Integrative Approach to Wellness,” including my use of Socratic questioning in order for my clients to go within to find their answers, email me at wendyblanchard044@gmail.com.

We journey together.

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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Dance With Me – Love, Wendy

My greatest teacher was one who triggered my core to shake, rattle and roll. A trauma response where anger and resentment led the dance.

I went within and connected to my truth.

I spoke my truth, and asked for help to heal the trauma that was begging for attention. To be validated. To be nurtured.

To be healed.

I have learned how to lovingly soothe that little girl who sometimes needs a reminder that she is safe, and loved.

And, I am now able to respond to a trigger and trauma response where I say, “I hope you dance. Follow my steps. I will lead the way.”

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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A Shield of Armor – Love, Wendy

“Those of us who have had our hearts broken, guard ourselves with a shield of armor to ensure the safety of our hearts future. If anyone gets too close, we put forth the shield to protect ourselves from possible repeated heartbreak. Then at some point, when we feel ready, we lower it a bit to allow ourselves to feel again…we begin to heal…we practice embracing new love and compassion into our heart…slowly, when the Universe brings it forth. The Universe will bring us this gift only when we are ready…when we have learned the lessons to make ourselves strong, to keep ourselves healthy, when we have learned to set boundaries, and at the same time, to love with passion, and to trust that God has chosen the perfect soulmate to accompany us on our path.

As we grow to trust again, and continue to allow love to penetrate the shield, we no longer resist love, and we begin to feel more at peace with accepting the gift of love as we continue to heal…continue to trust…continue to believe that love is all that is missing from any situation.”

Love,

Wendy

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BE A SPIRITUAL TEACHER – LOVE, WENDY

Being blessed with spiritual awareness affords us the opportunity to offer spiritual solutions in what may appear to be an irreparable problem/challenge.

When we strive for spiritual wellness, and we are blessed with a task of being a spiritual first responder/teacher, we use each opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.

This is so rare. Too many people in conflict take an attitude of “I am right.“ They don’t look for the deeper meaning of the conflict, and choose to walk away rather than do their own inner work, and to find the spiritual solution to bring all concerned closer to each other, and to God.

I choose to be a spiritual teacher.

And, I am always His student.

Find your humility. Ask for spiritual guidance. Be a part of the solution.”

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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WHEN WE ARE READY – LOVE, WENDY

I would never think to tell someone else, a loved one, a friend, or a client that they have to let go of someone or something because I feel it is not good for them. I don’t know how another person feels or what their emotions are, and if I am to give such insensitive advice, one may begin to feel guilty for how they feel and suppress their emotions.

We are all allowed to feel how we feel for as long as we feel it. When we are ready, we will let go of what no longer serves us, and not a minute before. It is not for me to have such audacity as to tell someone when they are ready to let go.”

Love and blessings,

Wendy

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LOVE AROUND THE BEND – LOVE, WENDY

“When I finally allowed myself to accept the truth of one’s lack of emotional intelligence and empathy for others, as well as their continuous deceitful behavior, I was able to freely and gratefully move on.

Love always comes around the bend when we are not waiting for it. God brings us precisely what, and whom aligns with our soul and spiritual journey.“

Love and blessings,

Wendy

BOOK, Harmonious Health 4 Life

AN EXPERIENCE OF SUDDEN TRAUMA ON MARCH 16, 2022: S.P.E.A.R. AND S.W.I.M. INTO WELLNESS IN REAL TIME WITH ME:A TRUE STORY – LOVE, WENDY

I am coming from a place of wellness today, although I am on a never ending journey of wellness. And, you can choose to follow my self created wellness program, S.P.E.A.R. AND S.W.I.M INTO WELLNESS, if it resonates. This is my “Integrative Approach to Recovery.” Recovery from anything.

Yesterday, the Universe said to me, “I need you to walk the talk today.” I do not believe that this was a test of my trust, or my devotion to God or to myself, as this is part of my daily wellness regimen, but as a reminder of my own inner strength, and that of my unbreakable bond with God, and my implicit trust in my own knowledge and choices. And to remind myself of the wide variety of holistic tools that I have in my possession, at a moment’s notice, even as I found myself in a sudden traumatic experience.

In two weeks, I will begin my 10th year of “wellness recovery” from substance use disorder and mental illness. I could not be more proud of how I took over the trajectory of a sudden traumatic experience and turned it into a spiritual lesson.

What a day yesterday turned out to be, March 16, 2022…

It had become increasingly more difficult and painful to walk, to move my wrists, and extremities in these past few months, and most especially the past couple of weeks. I decided to hire a new group of specialists as I was guided by Spirit. The signs kept showing me, specifically, where to seek help, and it was shown to be of imminent importance. I always say that when we are open, and have a spiritual relationship with the Universe, we see and hear beyond our physical limitations.

I saw the first orthopedic specialist early in the morning. She took the time to actually show me and to explain my MRI results. Heartbreaking. I am diagnosed, in addition to Lupus and Osteoporosis, severe degenerative disc disease. And stenosis. At the base of my spine, there is a disc bulging backwards onto the spine and compressing the nerve. This is the reason for the complete numbness, pain, and weakness, widespread. My face, neck, arms, back, legs, feet. Debilitating.

She injected me in my backside, (yup), with a very high dose of steroids as she explained that the “nerve was very angry” and this would “calm it down.” She sent me home to rest until I would see the second specialist, a pain management specialist, late in the afternoon. The burning from the injection was unbearable, on top of the excruciating pain, and I rested until I had to leave for pain management.

This is where I stand in my power. As debilitating as the pain was, barely able to drive, sit, stand, or walk, the first thing that I shared with these new doctor’s was my history with substance use disorder. “I do not take any narcotics” I explained. And gave some important information to help them to understand my decision. Believe me, I don’t think anyone would have worried about me yesterday if I had asked for pain meds. That was the level of “off the chart” pain I was experiencing, and had been for weeks affecting my entire quality of life. However, the doctor’s were so supportive, and assured me that there were many options, one being an epidural. And, of course continuing my walking and PT as I can, with an emphasis on my mindful breathing and visualization for calming, healthy eating, hydration, and my regular daily wellness routine.

The epidural will be at a later date, as yesterday I was given a total of 11 more injections at the pain management doctor’s office, right into my back, and yes, again, into my backside. These injections were filled with a very strong additional anti-inflammatory, and other drugs to numb the nerve that was “so angry.” It was so traumatic. The painful injections, one after another, were relentless. Immediately, I reminded myself of my visualization and breathing strategy that is my first “go-to” for calming and focus. I did not want to tense up knowing this would only exacerbate the pain. I went within, into my mind to visualize a color that I assign to hope, and then “breathed in hope.” And then breathed out a color that I had assigned to pain. “Breathe out the pain.” Slowly, and purposefully, breathe, focus on my vision, listen to my breath, and guide my thoughts to healing.

Although this is not something I will “heal” from, they tell me they can absolutely manage the pain, numbness, and mobility. I cried afterwards. Sobbed. Hysterically. Partially from the fear that I had felt, and mostly for the gratitude of pain relief and almost immediate movement of my wrists. My greatest worry was that I would lose the ability to walk, or be in a wheelchair. I said to the doctor, “Just tell me the truth. As long as I have my brain, I can make peace with anything. I just want to continue to serve and to do the work that I love.” As he smiled at me with great empathy, His answer was, Aww, not a chance that this will happen.”

He did prescribe a medication, long term, for skeletal, muscle and joint pain (non narcotic) that has proved effective, and when I wasn’t sure, he said, “You have no quality of life, its all hands on deck now.” Yes, I had just said that to a close friend the other day. “I have no quality of life.”

I will be honest and say that my greatest inspiration for the healthy choices that I made yesterday, including how I “reframed” the sudden traumatic experience was to be a shining example for my children in the face of acute adversity. Throughout the entire day yesterday, my children were texting and calling, along with my closest friends. I wanted to lead by example so that my children, would witness my strength and my decision to stay in control of my mind, and in the face of great adversity, to choose wellness through healthy practices and self care. I made an immediate decision to practice all that I teach in my book and in my trainings. S.PE.A.R. first. Then S.W.I.M. (Chapter 6 of Write Pray Recover) I listened to God’s request to “walk the talk.” I had prayed in the morning, and countless mornings prior, to be led to the doctors who could provide empathy, relief and healing, and God ALWAYS has the last word.

Thy will be done.

And so it is.

My son was extremely worried and was being challenged to remain calm by what he was observing. I knew that this experience was a spiritual opportunity to be the “spiritual first responder” that I am in showing him (and my daughters) that I took the time to self regulate, and to S.P.E.A.R. AND S.W.IM. To stop, pause, allow myself to emote as I needed to release, and that my reframe was all about allowing myself to feel how I felt in those hours, then practicing acceptance during the time of the injections and in accepting my new “normal” for my health, and choosing to stay in control, and then re-aligning with myself and God, and reframing this experience as an opportunity to enhance my wellness, and my spiritual connection, and most importantly, to provide for my children a perspective of responding to adversity and challenge through a wider lens. A lens of mindful wellness, self regulation, and self care. And, being proactive in my health and wellness decisions and goals.

It is a choice.

Although I did not sleep much last night, the numbness is 90% gone, and my mobility has increased about 50%. I am moving slowly, and the doctor tells me that by Sunday, I should be feeling much better.

As my son said to me early in my recovery, and that I talk about in my new book, Write Pray Recover:A Journey To Wellness Through Spiritual Solutions and Self Care, “slow and steady wins the race.” Great advice in every situation.

This is my newest testimony of prayer, a spiritual relationship, and taking control of my mind in every situation using my S.P.E.A.R. AND S.W.I.M. INTO WELLNESS program where I use an integrative approach to wellness.

It ALL begins with the awareness of what I want for myself, how I want to feel, how I want to serve others through my experiences, and enhancing that of my own wellness.

I hope you will find the time to read my book, and adapt the practices that resonate with you.

We really do make the choice in what part of our mind that we “feed.” Illness, or wellness.

Email me at wendyblanchard044@gmail.com if you would like to learn more, and work with me in reaching your own health and wellness goals through an integrative approach.

Love and blessings,

Wendy