Over 37 years ago, I hit rock bottom in my addiction to drugs and alcohol. Desperate for help, I cried out to Spirit to please help me, and embarked on a journey to heal my mind, body, and soul. Little did I know that this pivotal moment would change my life forever. Now that I am 37 years clean & sober, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that my relationship with Spirit is what saved my life.
When it comes to healing from anything in life – whether it be trauma, addiction, harmful behaviors, or a difficult past – Spirit is truly our greatest ally and support system.
The Power of Spirit in Recovery
Motivation alone isn’t enough when it comes to overcoming trauma, addiction, or a challenging past of any kind. In order to heal, recover, and discover your highest self, you need a massive amount of unwavering support and a deep willingness to stay the course, no matter how hard it gets.
That’s where Spirit comes in.
I feel incredibly thankful that I discovered my spiritual path all those years ago, when I was at my personal rock bottom. As my ally and support system, my relationship with Spirit has provided me with purpose, hope, and meaning throughout the many ups and downs of my life.
From Rock Bottom to Finding Purpose
My healing journey began the day I found myself in my drug dealer’s bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror and literally crying out to Spirit for help. I knew I couldn’t continue on the path I was on, and I knew I needed help. This was my very lowest point, and it was the moment I put my path into the hands of my Higher Power.
I learned that when you make Spirit your partner in recovery, you open up a world of potential for healing, joy, and transformation. My story of surrendering to Spirit, overcoming addiction, and finding purpose is a testament to the power of this partnership.
When we surrender to Spirit, we gain the most incredible partner on our healing journey.
Embrace Your Unique Healing Journey
Life is full of challenges and emotions, but your healing journey doesn’t have to be faced alone.
Your healing journey, just like your story, will be unique. Whether you turn to therapy, support groups, treatment programs, meditation, Oracle Cards, community, or a combination of all, Spirit is always there for you, waiting to guide you to your highest self. There is no linear path to healing. No matter what form your path takes, Spirit is always there for you and when you’re ready, and will be your greatest support and source of guidance.
Learning From the Best in Trauma & Recovery
Healing is a blend of tuning out the outside world to find our own intuitive guidance, and at the same time, knowing when to look for resources for support along our path.
I’ve been lucky enough on my own healing journey to come across some of the most incredible healers, experts, and teachers who have been my guide throughout this journey. Getting perspective and knowledge from these sources has offered me inspiration and the feeling of a broad support system.
I wanted to find a way to share some of these resources with people in my community who are on their own path of recovery, which is why I’m hosting a brand new mini-series from my podcast, INSIDE THE WOONIVERSE, called Spirit & Recovery. In the first episode of the series, I’m sharing more about my own story – beginning with my childhood experience of growing up as an intuitive, or a ‘walking boundary-less being” who could feel everything. I go through details of my journey, like my first taste of alcohol at age 12, all the way through my lowest point and what it took for me to pull myself out of the darkness and heal (hint: there was lots of therapy, support groups, self-care, and of course, Spirit involved).
My intention with this series is to share my personal experiences and insights, as well as introduce listeners to various modalities of therapy and hope-inspiring guests. In the subsequent episodes I’m interviewing several amazing guests who are all experts in their own way, around topics of recovery.
Here’s a glimpse into who you’ll meet on the show:
1. Dr. Bayo Akomolafe
Dr. Bayo Akomolafe is a widely celebrated international speaker, posthumanist thinker, poet, teacher, public intellectual, essayist, and author of two books, These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home and We Will Tell our Own Story: The Lions of Africa Speak. Bayo Akomolafe is also the Founder of The Emergence Network and host of the online postactivist course, ‘We Will Dance with Mountains.’
2. Dr. Elisa Hallerman, PhD
Dr. Elisa Hallerman is the founder of Recovery Management Agency (RMA) and author of, Soulbriety: Heal Your Trauma, Overcome Addiction and Reconnect with Your Soul. At the age of 43, Dr. Hallerman left her successful career as a top Hollywood agent to pursue her path of healing her own trauma and creating, Soulbriety™ – a a unique and intentional modality to care for soul on an ongoing basis and re-visions healing and recovery for anyone who is suffering or ready to live a life fueled with a deeper purpose.
3. Steven Washington
Steven Washington is the author of Recovering You: Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction. As a former professional dancer who performed on Broadway in Disney’s The Lion King, his love of movement inspired him to become the highly acclaimed Qigong and Pilates teacher that he is today. Steven lives a joyful life of recovery and is passionate about helping others as they navigate towards health and happiness.
4. Tammy Valicenti
Tammy Valicenti is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery and EMDR therapy. With 25 years of experience, she utilizes a synthesis of EMDR, IFS and other evidence-based therapies that is more effective than any one of its parts and that achieves radical change in a short period of time. Tammy helps her clients get relief from trauma, anxiety and panic and has worked to enhance performance for actors, entrepreneurs and celebrities. She is also collaborating with international advocates to bring EMDR therapy to indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
LISTEN TO SPIRIT & RECOVERY HERE
One of the best parts about talking to these experts is how incredibly clear it becomes that none of us are alone on our path of healing. Each of our pasts, traumas, and stories look different, but we all share in the human experience of pain and the deep longing to return to wholeness and healing.
I hope you’ll listen to each episode of this new series, and maybe come to think of these amazing individuals like a sort of virtual support group to help through some of the difficult moments, and to guide you back home to your connection with the Divine.
How Has Spirit Contributed to Your Healing Journey?
How has your relationship with Spirit, God, Your Higher Power, The Universe, etc. helped you on your healing journey? Leave a comment and share with me. I love reading your comments!
I absolutely would not be here with out my Heavenly Father or higher power. I have struggled with alcoholism for over 35 years. I had 8 years clean and then relapsed but I now have almost 3 years again. I also have suffered with an eating disorder for over 40 years but now have almost 10 months relearning how to exist as a “normal” person. I am searching for my true purpose and know without a shadow of a doubt that I would not have been able to heal myself. I am so grateful for all of the information that those who have struggled have been willing to share so that those of us who are still struggling can receive guidance. Thank you so much for your willingness to share how you were able to heal.
you are such an inspiration, Sherry! keep on going! 💗
Spirit has brought me here to where I am today! I clean date is October 2nd, 1995. It was obviously Spirit that supported me in making that commitment, because it wasn’t me that suddenly decided I was ready to go to a treatment centre. I used right up until the day before I went in. I’ve often wondered why was “I” able to clean up and so many others haven’t … why was “I” chosen! I know that I believed in Angels before I believed in God from about the age of 5, so somehow I was always connected. I’m still alive today so I was protected from the harmful things I have done to myself. Spirit helps me to feel a deep love in an instant (when I take the time to be awake to it), and has helped me to stay clean through many challenges. There’s no way I could have done all this on my own, and I am so grateful.
love this! thank you for sharing, Monika! 💖
My adoptive father died when I was three. At a very early age Jesus became my father. My adoptive mother raised me as a single mother from 1950s onward through to the 70s when I was on my own. My life with her was a travesty: promiscuity plus 3 step-fathers 1 of which sexually abused me for 5 years. I became a rebel; drinking at 15, smoking cigarettes at 13. I was sent to boarding school at age 13; had two spinal surgeries at age 11, raped, humiliated by mother, did a lot of LSD. I am a seasoned ‘hippie’ still working on that contract with Spirit. Always I have been protected & loved by my higher power & have been tested and tested, fail & rise, fail & rise. And now at 76, it is the eleventh hour. Spirit & Recovery; Colette Baron-Reid; I found you again. (I can do it in Toronto with Sylvia Browne). Spirit brought me to learn from you Sister. I honour you. Thank you from Carol-Anne (Rainbow), Cobourg, Ontario
I’m so happy that we crossed paths, Carol-Anne! much love to you!