Assuming the pain would pass, I ignored it, but my symptoms only worsened. Over the next eight years, I underwent multiple gastrointestinal surgeries, enduring long stretches of pain and agony with very few good days. Despite numerous medical interventions, nothing worked, and my chronic health condition continued to worsen. ​ By 2019, I had lost nearly 100 pounds. There were moments when survival felt uncertain, and hope seemed out of reach. My loved ones—relationships I had carefully rebuilt after recovering from drug addiction—shared the same fears about my condition. Medical professionals treating me expressed significant concern about the severity of my condition. My diagnosis included chronic bowel inflammation, colitis, multiple bowel ulcerations, and severe unintended weight loss. My diet was reduced to only a handful of foods, each of which triggered intense pain. I felt trapped in a deeper, more intense bottom than I had ever experienced, with no relief in sight. In 2020, I had the first of five gastrointestinal surgeries at Emory Medical Center in Atlanta. While each surgery brought temporary relief, my problems would inevitably return, requiring further intervention. I consulted over 40 doctors and specialists, searching for answers, but my food sensitivities worsened. A limited diet eventually led to severe bacterial infections and malnutrition. The surgeries disrupted the gut-brain connection, impacting my serotonin levels and emotional well-being. I was malnourished, weak, and in constant pain. Essential nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and B12 were depleted, straining my heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. I reached a point of desperation, willing to try anything to regain my health. In 2022, Ewell Hardman introduced me to Dr. David Hawkins’ book "Power vs. Force" (2014) and later to his bi-weekly Hawkins Group. He also recommended "The Relaxation Response" by Dr. Herbert Benson. These books resonated deeply, as their principles aligned with the healing process I had experienced in the AA program. I also sought help from a naturopath, Dr. Adelena Izold, ND, for dietary and GI health, and continued working with physical therapist Dr. Tiffany Lamonde and strength coach Nathan Lamonde. Regular check-ins with my GI doctor supplemented these holistic approaches. Through my sessions with Ewell, I learned that healing was possible and closely tied to the same spiritual principles that had brought me sobriety from opiate addiction. I began practicing Dr. Benson’s relaxation techniques, meditating for 15 minutes and visualizing for 10 minutes twice daily. These exercises helped trigger my relaxation response and activate my body’s healing mechanisms. During this time, Ewell and I explored unconscious barriers preventing my spiritual growth. I came to see my illness as an opportunity to deepen my connection with God and grow spiritually. Strangely, I even found gratitude for the experience. As Dr. Hawkins explains, the mind influences the body, and what is held in the mind tends to manifest. While progress was slow at first, by mid-2023, I noticed a remarkable improvement in my distance vision, which had gone from 20/50 to 20/20. In our sessions, we prayed for specific conditions to heal, focusing on strengthening my immune system. Gradually, I began to experience relief. Some conditions resolved in hours, others in days or months. By July 2024, I experienced a significant shift, allowing me to enjoy life in ways I hadn’t in years. One by one, my ailments disappeared without recurrence. I grew stronger and more capable of participating in family activities. The transformation was miraculous. For the first time in over eight years, I could eat foods I had long avoided without pain or discomfort. I regained weight, energy, and a renewed sense of life. My loved ones and I were astonished by the changes. Today, I am profoundly grateful for this journey. I have a newfound appreciation for spiritual healing, for Ewell’s guidance, for those who supported me, and for God’s grace in bringing me back to health when all hope seemed lost.