March 2, 2026 “The Expanding Heart of Recovery!”

Recovery is like an accordion, a musical instrument that opens and closes as it is played. At times, we must stretch ourselves. At other times, we must gently draw inward. Recovery asks us to change, often with great effort, as we face the strong pull of mental illness and substance misuse. It also invites us to reach outward by practicing the daily actions of Recovery. We are not too weak to overcome the worldly forces that try to keep us stuck.

Ignatius, a theologian, reminds us that God—our Higher Power—has great trust in our ability to stand firm during times of testing. This strength is supported by God’s loving help and by the tools given to us. These tools include prayer or quiet reflection, meditation, curiosity about our inner life, and small acts of courage when we feel weighed down by mental health or substance misuse symptoms.

One day, when my mood felt dark and heavy, I went to church. My heart and soul were filled with pain. I lay face down before the altar and cried out to God. I wept and prayed about my mental health suffering for 30 to 60 minutes. I reflected on how long I had been hurting, so I could better understand what steps I needed to heal. At first, I did not notice my symptoms easing.

But as I stretched my courage to pray, meditate, seek understanding, and take action, I slowly grew stronger. Over time, I learned how to face the darkness of mental illness with less fear. These gentle practices help us resist shrinking inward. They help us open up, like an accordion, and continue forward on the path of Recovery.