February 27, 2026 “The Sacred Stories of Recovery!”

As an aspiring author, I have been blessed to meet compassionate and resilient people who are choosing Recovery. What have I learned from them?

They share joy about how Recovery is shaping their lives. One person lived through horrific trauma. The depth of her pain made her wonder if life was worth living. Her joy returned after working with a therapist. In a safe and trusting space, she was able to reprocess her experiences gently. She still has triggers, but instead of lasting for days, they now last only a few hours.

People also share their sorrows with me—anxiety, anger, and depression. They come to see how important it is to let go of emotional suffering. I know from my own story how hard this work can be. Healing can take many years. For me, it took 20 years to release bitterness and anger toward my father. The emotional weight no longer holds my heart and soul. I still remember what happened. I did not excuse my father’s responsibility for the extreme physical abuse. But I no longer carry it over him like a heavy blanket.

The joys and sorrows of our journeys become the story of our lives. Together, they can lead us toward peace. In Recovery, we make room for both joy and sorrow. How do we do this? By taking loving action—showing ourselves self-respect, compassion, kindness, and care.

I want to thank those of you who have dared to share your stories with me. When this happens, I notice a lightening of emotions and mental strain. Remember the saying: When we name our emotions, we tame them.