Recovery means to me "The active healing from a broken state". I was broken for a long long time from 2005-2016. My recovery date is September 3,2016. Since being in recovery I have been the only person in my family of other struggling people to enter into recovery. Sometimes that makes for a lonely place to be but through my recovery fellowships I am a part of I have gained a family. Since living my recovery I have gotten the ability to love back first myself and thyen others. At first i felt like a small child just learning how to walk but over the years I have gained confidence and have learned to run. I have a sponsor whom I work very closely with and other women whom I sponsor as well.My recovery consists of a lot of give and take. I take my healing and my knowledge of how to live a successful life from my sponsor and other recovering addicts I have met along the way and I give it all back away to the women I sponsor. Recovery for me is honestly more than most words can express because for me recovery is my way of life.

A healthy lifestyle for me is a number of things combined. Mental Health and spiritual health are imperative areas of focus for me on a daily basis. I am a recovering addict and a woman dealing with mental health issues on a daily basis. I have been in recovery for six years now and since day one I have begun the nurturing process.Being a mother now I often find myself in situations where time for myself is very limited. I have to mentally and physically make an effort to pour into my spirit on a consistent basis. I know if momma isn't healthy and happy nine timers out of ten nobody in the home is healthy and happy. Staying vigilantly aware of my physical health is what i struggle with the most. I have always had weight issues nad becoming a mother didn't help that part at all. I came top a point about a year ago where I had to realize that if my mental and spiritual health wasn't being fed then my physical health didn't have a chance. Today I try to align my mind body and spirt with the positive energy around me. That's how I practice daily health.

My passion of helping other recovering addicts has truly been the most humbling experience of my life. Being the light for another addict is truly empowering in itself. I have volunteered numerous hours working with other women who desire to live a life worth living. I have assisted in women getting schooling, relationships with children and family back, housing, and their smile.All while being on the path of recovery myself. I truly believe that the universe uses us to touch and make connections with others that will also in turn strengthen and grow our very own spirits.Being an addict for me meant total hopelessness. I was in and out of jails and rehab institutions for most of my life. That is why I waited so long to peruse my Business degree waiting for my record to be fully clean. Now being a recovering addict who loves to help others means reformation and hope.Watching a shell of a human develop hope while seeing the light turn on in someones eyes where there was only darkness is truly my passion in life. One of the main things I loved doing was our "blessing bag" parties. Numerous recovering addicts from all walks of life get together and put together bags with food, socks, underware, snacks and a few other essentials. We would take up donations of items at different meetings and recovery houses in Salisbury NC and meet once a month to pack the bags and make handwritten and drawn cards for homeless addicts. When i was in addiction I never encountered any of this so when i got the opportunity to really get involved with something larger than myself I ran with it. I often wonder if i would have encountered something like our "blessing bag" group as an addict how would I have reacted to such humble kindness? Sometimes something as simple as a smile can change someone's entire life and for a split second remind them they are not alone and that there is another way to live. I love helping others find their way and will be honored to continue that for as long as the universe allows me to do so. I am joyous to share my passion with you and allow you a small glimpse into my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay and I hope to be hearing from you soon.