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One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Gabby Bernstein, said, “When you think you’ve surrendered, surrender more.”

Recently, I had sustained four compression fractures in my spine and could not go to work for a couple of weeks. I used up my sick days, and depleted my savings as I tried to keep up with my cost of living. Further, I am now facing a probable spine surgery, and I am unable to return to work at this time. Chronic, severe pain limits my ability to walk, sit or stand for too long.

My soul mother and another favorite spiritual teacher, Sheila Pearl, reminded me of Gabby’s quote. “Surrender.”

Sheila and some of my other closest friends suggested that I allow them to create a Go Fund Me campaign. Absolutely not! I am very uncomfortable accepting help from others.

I have always taken care of myself. I’m independent, I pay all of my bills, I do not lean on anyone for anything…until I became physically incapacitated, suddenly, abruptly losing my only source of income.

I never would have believed that this could happen to someone like me. But illness/injury can happen at anytime. And so, it was time for me to “surrender more.” As I try to process all of this that happened almost overnight, I am still uncomfortable with allowing myself to accept help from others. I applied for disability and the amount that the government “gives” to a person in my position is unconscionable. I can now understand how people become homeless, and go hungry.

My friends and family have encouraged me to allow myself to accept the generosity of others as they remind me of the many people that I have served over the years in the field of mental health and substance use disorder. “You’ve helped so many over the years. Now it’s time for you to allow others to help you in this time of need.”

Surrender.

A concept that I am still getting to know, and one that is creating an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling. I allow myself to feel it all. It is a process.

No income, and limited time left on my health insurance has given me a whole new perspective on just how fleeting life can be, and is. However, I am a rich woman in terms of friends, love, and unconditional support. I am reminded of the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” where Harry toasts his brother George referring to the community gathering to support George in his time of financial need, “To my brother George, the richest man in town.”

I know that there is a spiritual lesson to be learned through my circumstances. Each day I strive to find the deeper meaning through a wider lens and open perspective so that I may use this lesson to serve others in the future.

Amen.

I have surrendered.

Love,

Wendy

Being in recovery should never be an impediment.

We owe it to our global community to learn to start with a positive assumption that all people can recover, and are entitled to wellness. 

We must create change from our old thinking patterns to include updated data and information, and we must educate those who are not educated on substance use disorder and mental illness. 

Discrimination is born of ignorance, misinformation, and fear.

We must first speak our own truth in order to stand in our power to execute much needed change. 

In order to achieve a global shift to awareness of all mental health disorders, including Substance Use Disorder, we must share our story, update our thinking, be open to learning the facts, and to new perspectives, and employ empathy and compassion within all of our connections.

There is a single thread that weaves us all together…

It is a mindset of  “I am you, and you are me.”

Love,

Wendy

“When I recently learned that he moved on with another after visiting me to profess only of his love for me, I was not at all surprised.

Always listen to your intuition.”

Love,

Wendy

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hug3sojp2nv1fyd/MILLION%20DOLLAR%20FEELING%20-%2009-25-21%20-%20BLANCHARD.mp3?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/hug3sojp2nv1fyd/MILLION%20DOLLAR%20FEELING%20-%2009-25-21%20-%20BLANCHARD.mp3?dl=0

The emotional intelligence and emotional awareness of a man, or lack thereof…and the integrity of a man, or lack thereof…speaks volumes about his character, or lack thereof.

When one just ceases to communicate and cuts another from his life, she who is most loving and kind, but he has for years been proclaiming to be “a communicator and man of God,” he defines himself.

And when it’s been years of repeated patterns, and another chooses to continually forgive and believe that it will be different, and offers unconditional love, and friendship, why wouldn’t one without emotional intelligence, integrity or character continue to repeat behaviors that have been rewarded with nothing but love and forgiveness?

Reminder…We teach people how to treat us.”

Wendy Blanchard, MS, CHHC

 

“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