Healing & Recovery:
This page addresses the special needs of folks going through healing & recovery as well as the challenges faced by professionals, family, and volunteers who come to the aid of those in need of support. Whether the diagnosis is physical such as illness or injury, or if one is coping with mental & emotional conditions such as addiction, PTSD, co-dependency, or depression, Ann has you in mind and heart. She offers specially-crafted audio/visual resources along with her hand of fellowship to lift your spirits and endure with you throughout your journey to recovery.
The Road to Recovery
Healing Songs, Videos, Prayers & Commentary for your life’s journey
Note to you from Ann M. Wolf about healing…
Addiction, Cancer, PTSD, Chronic Pain, Alzheimer’s, Depression, Autism, Accidental or Service-Related Injury, and Trauma…these are words that no one would ever want to utter to describe the condition of a loved one; and it would be equally unimaginable to have to speak of our own journey in such terms. Yet, these days, none of us have to look far beyond our personal circles to find someone who is in the throes of a sudden or chronic health crisis, and if we ourselves are not named among the patients, we could become a caretaker which indeed, presents challenges of its own.
This page will give you an overview of resources I offer with regard to the topic of healing & recovery, and this would be with patients, health-care providers & 1st-responders in mind. You are also welcome to contact me with questions about how my artistics works can more specifically support you or your organization. I am also available to do live presentations on many topics related to healing and here is where you can read more about this.
Thank you for your visit and God keep you in His Peace & Healing Grace.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Wolf
Additional remarks
Click to open comments on each healing related topic
The Role of Prevention
Prevention for the Patient: When it comes to illness and injury, we do have to address cure and rehabilitation; but equally important is the issue of prevention. This would include nutrition, creative exercise, counseling, establishing spiritual balance, feeling connected to others in a supportive environment, and more.
Support Options: Available to visitors are songs, mini-documentaries, blogs, and videos that explore healing, recovery, and prevention from many angles. Additional resources include social media groups such as “Living in Balance” and “Lighthouse for Healing & Recovery.” (See all of Ann’s Social Media Pages & Groups).
Suicide Prevention/Crisis Contacts
Dear Friends; With depression and suicide reaching epidemic proportions among people of all ages & occupations, and with a suicide rate averaging 22 per day among our military, (without even mentioning statistics for our 1st-responders), we must engage in preventative action within our families and communities.
Many wonder, “What can I do to help?” Some folks are already missioned in the area of treating depression and preventing suicide by the occupations they have or by the volunteer organizations they belong to. But there are a few simple things that each of us can do that could have a far-reaching benefit for those who need support.
Here is what we can do: We can shine a light on this tragic trend, educating ourselves on the signs, symptoms, and nature of those most vulnerable. We can and must extend a hand of fellowship to one another and build relationships to help address the isolation felt and heartache carried by many. We can show respect and appreciation to our family members, friends, and even folks we encounter briefly such as the server, cashier, or medical staff at a doctor’s appointment, the trash collector, and security officers we pass at events. We can show our public servants how much we value their service; we can invite them to our functions and keep them in our prayers. We can help our young establish an identity that is based on their whole self, mind, body, and spirit that will give them strength and perspective based on the unique person they are, rather than measured by impossible standards set by society. We can teach our families not to bully anyone and how to respond if encountering bullies. We can pay more attention to one another than to our devices; we can make time to listen to and be fully present to each other. We can keep our blessings in perspective and give ourselves and one another the space to learn and grow from our experiences. We can promote spiritual values of forgiveness and redemption that reach beyond denominational divides. We can remain humble and concentrate more on cleaning up our own act that criticizing that of others. We can redeem each day for love, sharing a word of kindness at every opportunity because we never know what people are going through on the inside that others never see; and our word of encouragement could be a God-send to someone who is struggling with their self-worth or feeling unable to cope with insurmountable problems.
This topic deserves the very best of support; and I have only just begun here with more to come on this critical topic; but before I move on to share some commentary and links, if you or someone you know is in a crisis at this moment, please call any of these numbers to seek immediate help. Thank you for being my guest today and God be with you and yours. Ann M. Wolf
1-844-550-HERO (4376) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Commentary by Ann M. Wolf © 2017
Redemption & Forgiveness
Dearest Friends;
Redemption is a powerful word that means different things to different people. For some it invokes hope while for others it appears to be a condition of soul that they believe they no longer qualify for.
Nightmares from the Past: I remember when I was working with some Vietnam Vets on a few mini-documentaries some years back, too many of them expressed to me that they believed they were “beyond redemption,” leaving them with depression and a feeling of isolation that could barely be put in words anymore. Many of these Vets were relying heavily on alcohol or other prescribed or non-prescription substances to help them get through the long days and nights. To a certain degree some appropriate meds can be helpful, but when abused, the wrong cocktail-mix serves only to compound depression. This, in turn, progresses to more and more health and social problems and sadly for some, results in the taking of their own lives. It is estimated that there are approximately 22 of these veteran suicides per day, an unacceptable state of “veteran’s affairs.”
In sharing more of their stories with me, many attributed their sense of ultimate unworthiness to some actions or conditions that they had been a part of at one time during the war. Others had given up entertaining any thoughts that they deserved to heal after realizing the impact that their PTS had on their marriages, kids, or jobs; some vets who had seen combat were often unable to control the behavior that would erupt out of their violent nightmares which took them back each night to the terror they left behind, all chronic conditions that would finally drive loved ones away if left unattended.
When I suggested to them in those conversations that there still are options for them to try in order to find peace, some seemed interested in continuing on the path to healing, but for others, they had already settled deeply into a condition of self-condemnation around which they built, even more walls to be certain that hope would not intrude into their cave of great sorrows. Many would state that the VA was not interested in helping other than to hand them more prescriptions for depression; while others just accepted a fate in hell as fit punishment for their unforgivable deeds of the past.
Veterans and First-Responders are especially at risk of developing this level of numb despair considering the terrible decisions they are put in a position to have to make to say nothing of what deployments to foreign wars or to our own city streets can do to a soul over time. For the rest of us, perhaps we simply might find ourselves in impossible situations one day or make a mistake that produces terrible consequences and we have yet to find our way to the surface of this deep pool to reach the air of new life.
Hope Lives: It is my understanding that Mercy is never given because we “deserve it”; it is granted to us because of the belief that God Himself still has in us and in our potential as souls, should we apply what we have learned in making better choices and especially if what we have experienced can aid us in helping others. Even our worst moments in life can become points of Mercy for another soul as we give of ourselves in the service of others. This completes the circle of love and becomes our living definition of “Redemption.” After all, who better to encourage another brother or sister who is lost in deep suffering than someone who has been there; and failing to rise to accept our own redemption could mean that we will not be in place to help other souls accept theirs when they have reached the point of needing forgiveness. We are not responsible for the choices of others, but light can shine through us on the darkness of their despair and help them find their way.
Mercy is the Door: Therefore I dedicate much of my work directly or indirectly to the issue of Redemption (& healing & forgiveness) because it is my belief that we all are eligible to receive that State of Grace, once we have passed through the Door of Mercy, no matter what we have been through or what we have done. It is only the deceitful voice of darkness that tries to keep us in hell and blinds us to our potential future. It does take humility and courage, however, to ask for help and the same is true of Redemption.
Angel are Waiting: As for those who have disappointed us, it is inevitable that some people will let us down considering that this planet is largely a hospital filled with dysfunctional people run by the patients, but there are commissioned angels who are there, waiting to pick us up and who truly are committed to our healing and one day perhaps, God can use us to help facilitate the healing of others.
Redemption/The Song & Album: This collection of songs is dedicated to the issue of Redemption and Forgiveness in Rock, Blues, Reggae, and AC. You are welcome to explore the songs and lyrics of this album, read artist notes and follow links to watch the videos which I have produced and uploaded thus far with more to come from this album during 2018.
Transformation is a Process: Spiritual growth on planet earth is a process and making mistakes or operating out of unawareness is part of how we learn. I pray, that if you have been led to this page to read this message and if you are among those who have not yet given yourself permission to reach for redemption and healing, that you will lay the burden down and reach into your community for supporters who are waiting to help you through it all. One such group is mentioned in my Video about PTSD where a Nam Vet, my friend Joe Doyle, speaks of his journey of 40 years which finally resulted in a sense of forgiveness, healing, and redemption. He has subsequently dedicated himself to helping other others as a facilitator within the same organization that was able to help him.
Scroll to Watch “PTSD Support – Our Time, Our Turn.”
Meanwhile, all are welcome to any of my Pages, Websites, and Channels for a word or song or anything I have to offer which might help you get through long nights which could bring you to your New Dawn.
I pray that the Peace of God enfold you as you prepare for the best to come.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Wolf
Commentary by Ann M. Wolf © 2017
My History with Healing & Recovery
History: I am no stranger to these issues, having lost my father to cancer at a young age and having been the single-parent caretaker of special needs kids some years ago, one with severe, life-threatening asthma and allergies. In my earlier years, I sustained shaming and bullying as well as suffered the anguish of emotional and physical domestic abuse. Then, as an Army Wife, a military mother, sister, daughter & friend to others who have served in harm’s way, I am familiar with the sacrifices involved with that kind of public service and what debilitating toll it can take on a person. As for addiction, it is also true that more than one immediate family member of mine spent over a decade wandering through the hell of addiction which forced the issue of my learning not to be an enabler; and then there has been my own journey to overcome relationship co-dependency, learning to choose friends and partners who are emotionally available.
But would you believe me if I said that all of those experiences came with a hidden blessing? Yes, life can have a way of carving out great parts of ourselves and hopefully in the process, we all discover that this makes room for deeper levels of compassion, empathy, and a greater capacity for understanding others. So, when it comes to my past, I like to think that God worked everything together for His Purposes, one of which would be to help others with what I have learned.
Thus, drawing upon my own experiences and those of people I have known, I began many years ago to include artistic works about Healing & Recovery in my repertoire, hoping to bring a bit of comfort and encouragement to folks who struggle with physical, mental, or emotional challenges, because I know myself what a dark night of the soul can feel like. I know what it is to deal with a beloved friend or family member who struggles with prolonged addiction, bringing up every emotion from rage to helplessness. I know what takes place when caring for the sick and dying. I know what I went through when I had to find what was left of my hope in the aftermath of emotional abandonment and physical abuse. I know what dealing with intense chronic pain is; and I know first-hand what PTS is and what my triggers are. In short, anything that I have been through can become another avenue of fellowship and ministry; and such is the redeeming power of forgiveness and love.
So, my artistic works not only have journalized my own experiences in a variety of styles, literally from Blues to Bluegrass (and several other genres’ in between) but writing a song was often the one thing that pulled me through a bad moment as I would focus more on the completion of a song than on the searing pain that tried to take possession of my soul and for that Grace, I thank God and gladly serve Him; as quickly as I can and as resources allow, I am getting that content out to you. To learn of new music, videos, or commentary, you are invited to Sign Up for my Free Newsletter and I have provided a list below this Note from where you can link to more options.
Thank you for being my guest here. God Bless & Keep You in His Mercy and Grace.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Wolf
Commentary by Ann M. Wolf © 2017
History/Sharing the Message of Hope
Sharing the Message at events in the 80s’: As word of my specially-crafted songs and recordings spread around the country, I came to be called upon to sing and speak at healing events and conferences all over the USA, opening for such leaders as Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, author of “On Death and Dying”, the book where she first discussed her theory of the five stages of grief. I have also worked with Bernie Siegel, American writer and retired pediatric surgeon, who has written about the relationship between the patient and the healing process in his best-selling book, “Love, Medicine, and Miracles.” Then I remember a few amazing experiences working with Norman Cousins, an American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate who overcame many illnesses himself with natural remedies, writing articles and books about his experiences.
Another great memory was opening for Art Agnos who was Mayor of San Francisco at the time, singing a song prior to his keynote speech at the first International Health Conference on Aids. I sang my song, “Blessed are the Ones,” which at that time summed up the beauty of all those special souls who had sacrificed much to care for a growing list of persons who were being shunned by their family and associates for having contracted the terrible plague of Aids. Then, I also was the final singer at the Intercontinental Congress on Religion and Ecology again singing “Blessed Are the Ones” for the attendees at the final banquet with the guest of honor being Prince Phillip of England. This event dealt with how science and religion could work together to educate the private sector regarding environmental sanity as well as personal health and wellness from a global vision perspective but acting locally in the implementation. Speaking of the ecology, the Director of the United Nations Environment Programme at the time, Noel Brown said this after hearing Ann’s “To the 7th Generation” album, “Ann has a monumental voice.” Well, these are just to name a few of my memories as a songwriter during the 80s.
Teaching Yoga as of the 70s’: Actually, I had been busy for quite some time even before I began crisscrossing the country or flying over the ocean to Europe for performances in theater or events. In the early 70s, after a six-month singing tour of South America ending with a quick trip to England, I took up the study of Hatha Yoga and became an instructor, eventually offering classes over the next 13 years or so in colleges, YMCAs,’ and adult educational facilities. I also worked closely with a medical practice teaching “relaxation therapy” to those referred to me by the doctors. Yoga breathing and stretching techniques offered great help to me personally in managing my own health needs, and I enjoyed the positive interaction with others. So between teaching and singing in what was largely a college circuit at the time, I was able to keep my skills up and earn some income while raising my kids in the mountains and valleys of Virginia.
Multi-Cultural Teachers & Events: As you can imagine, I am grateful for each soul who offered me encouragement or imparted their perspective to me. I am thankful for every teacher, including some family members as well as elders from within Native American Tribes who I enjoyed spending time with. In fact, as a seeker, I was blessed with amazing learning experiences, gathering nuggets of wisdom from a variety of disciplines and cultures, all of which have much to offer on the topic of health and wellness. In the process, I became the guest singer & speaker at several Native American events and health & wellness conferences across the USA.
Gratitude for the Gift of Grace: Jesus has always been at the center of my heart especially with regard to His teachings about Mercy and learning how healing others was a priority for Him. But I must say that encountering the Spirit of God within me and being able to draw upon Grace for wisdom and guidance has been the Greatest Gift of all, bringing a true spiritual identity, long-sought peace, and a better balance in my life than I had been able to achieve before.
Commentary by Ann M. Wolf © 2017
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About healing codependency & depression.
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From those who serve in harm’s way
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