About Us - A Message From The Founder & Director

A Message From The Founder & Director
JoAnne D. Mandel, LMSW, RN, CS

The information presented on this web site is the synthesis of many personal labors of recovery, my own and those of others, who survived the odds of growing up in a family and a social system that was lacking in the fundamental elements of normalcy. The lack of a basic spiritual foundation, an overwhelming feeling of insufficiency, insignificance and inadequacy, resulted for many of us in a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem. The information presented here came from our personal triumphs and the resurrection of our souls from tragic experiences, and through helping each other endure the death and rebirth of our lives. It seems fitting and timely that the synergistic lessons of a few of us be shared here with the many others who could benefit from our achievements.

In retrospect, many of the painful lessons are but vague memories to us now, while the memory of others still rocks our souls with terror. As we continue to grow and change from these experiences, we continue to see ways in which we can help ease the pain of those that we encounter along The Way. We had to do recovery the hard way, with little experience, little guidance and little spirituality. There is no need for you to do the same. Sample the methods and materials provided throughout this web site. It really is possible for you to Change Your Life.

The Way

Life was never meant to be a struggle, but the challenges that are a part of personal growth contain elements of struggle and feelings of powerlessness. Struggle is a part of everyone's recovery process. The struggle begins long before recovery is even a conscious thought. The struggle can begin in early childhood as a means of survival or coping with events that are beyond the comprehension of a young person.

For me, the struggle was about overcoming extreme and overwhelming fear. My family introduced me to fear and apprehension, so I came by it quite naturally. Fear prevented me from making friends, gaining a college education until I was older, asking for help from others, applying for jobs - the list goes on and on.

When I began searching for a way out of my own emotional pain, I found very few options. There were no recovery programs for the non-alcoholic/drug addict, I had no real spiritual foundation from which to draw, and the psychiatric community was about long-term psychoanalysis or major tranquilizing medications. I didn't have the time, the money, or the patience to proceed in that direction.

I learned several very fundamental truths about my life and myself during those years as I pondered over interesting philosophies and theories. I learned that there was a purpose for my life, but it was up to me to find the way(s) in which to manifest and realize that purpose. I learned that people can tell you about their way, but you should not just follow their way without investigation, as it may not be your way. I learned that all people are related as people of God, and that they are all significant. I learned to respect all people as a brother or sister, and to treat them the way I wanted to be treated. I learned that if you are going to "do something, do it with awareness", otherwise, it is a waste of time. I learned that the mind is a very powerful and misused part of the self and that unresolved feelings create chaos and disease. I learned that individuals are responsible for their own reality and the state of their life, and to continue to blame their failures on others (parents, spouse, teachers) is simply passing the buck.

I learned about the power of prayer and meditation, the need for exercise and nutrition, and how to release deep emotional pain through creative expression and art. I learned how to develop a different mind focus and belief system so I could change things in my life. I learned how to manage stressful events in ways that brought harmony and balance into my life. I learned how to develop my talents and my gifts, and how to live a holistic life-style. After practicing these principles for many years, I feel that I am finally getting it right.

I wish that I had learned the principles mentioned here in traditional ways and during my childhood. I was unaware of the saving grace and comfort that God can provide. I now have a deep appreciation for the past and contemporary prophets and philosophers and their teachings. My experiences prove that if you have the will you will find the way, and that there is never a person who is so lost that they cannot be found.

Repeated words of encouragement during those impatient days of my early recovery were, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". I'm quite sure that I missed a number of my teachers, whether they were people, experiences, or words of wisdom, as I was too involved in my own hopelessness and despair. Hopefully the information on this web site will help you to be better prepared when your "teachers" appears.

Change Your Life

I am interested in the stories of others who have proven that difficulties can be overcome and life's roadblocks are mere pit stops on the road of life. Please email me at jmandel@innerwisdom.com with your personal recovery story, questions you may have about recovery issues, or interesting information you may have on recovery topics. As I modify the web site to fit the needs of the recovering community, I will post the stories of others to encourage those who are finding difficulties on their journey.