From the moment she first walked through the doors of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Candy Albalos carried with her a quiet hope—a hope that her life could become something more grounded, purposeful, and aligned with the inner calling she had felt for years. Before SWIHA, Candy described her life simply: “Without purpose.” Yet even during those uncertain years, something deep within was nudging her forward, whispering that she was meant to help others, meant to heal, meant to rise.
Today, as a proud graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program, Candy stands as a testament to what happens when someone chooses to acknowledge their own divine light—and then follows it courageously.
The Ripples That Lead Us Home
Candy often reflects on the idea that each of us experiences ripples in our lives—subtle shifts, challenges, and moments of awakening that bring us exactly where we need to be. For her, those ripples eventually carried her to SWIHA, where she discovered the power of vibration, energy, and intentional healing.
She believes wholeheartedly that the vibrations we cultivate within ourselves inevitably affect everyone we encounter. Our energy, she says, becomes magnetic—pulling in what aligns and gently releasing what no longer serves us, all for the highest and greatest good.
This belief became a guiding force in her journey through the IHAP program.
Finding Her Purpose Through Challenge
Candy’s healing path was forged through adversity. She often reflects on an affirmation that shaped her transformation:
“I asked God for strength, and He gave me difficulties to make me strong.” —Hazrat Inayat Khan
She prayed for success; instead, life handed her challenges—challenges that strengthened her, humbled her, and taught her how to hold space for herself and others. With each class, each assignment, and each personal breakthrough, Candy felt herself aligning more deeply with her purpose.
She knew she was exactly where she needed to be the moment she realized she was passing every week—not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally, too. That was her defining moment, the clarity she needed to trust her path.
Radical Acceptance: The Foundation of Her Healing
One of the most profound lessons Candy embraced at SWIHA was radical acceptance. She learned that to create a better future, one must first accept the past as it is—unchangeable, yet deeply influential.
By choosing to fully acknowledge her past experiences, she found grounding, clarity, and peace. Acceptance became the doorway to presence—allowing her to stay centered, focused, and open-hearted with those she serves.
She learned to embody the Serenity Prayer in her daily life:
“Accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
It is this wisdom that now anchors her as a practitioner.
Remaining True, Compassionate, and Connected to Source
Throughout her training, Candy held tightly to her moral compass. She knew that to be an effective healer, she needed to remain compassionate, authentic, and aligned with her inner truth. She learned to let her intuition guide her, trusting Source to direct her toward the highest good in every interaction.
SWIHA helped her discover what integrity meant in her healing practice: setting boundaries, honoring personal beliefs, and never encroaching on another’s path; rather, walking beside them with empathy and respect.
Embracing Her Gifts—and Sharing Them With the World
Graduation was more than an academic milestone for Candy; it was a celebration of transformation. She credits the IHAP program with expanding her empathic communication, strengthening her relationships, and helping her blossom into a more loving daughter, sister, aunt, and neighbor.
One of the most surprising gifts came through her Death Doula studies. By facing mortality with openness and courage, Candy was able to complete her own final arrangements—a step that brought profound relief, gratitude, and empowerment.
Looking forward, she plans to continue her studies at a metaphysical school and pursue a Behavioral Health Certificate at Pikes Peak State College, focusing on crisis intervention and de-escalation skills. She is already preparing to launch her own healing practice by February 2026—and has even recruited her first employee.
Her future is expanding, and she can feel it.
A Mindset Shift: From Scarcity to Abundance
Perhaps the greatest lesson Candy carries forward is this: She can control her vessel.
Through releasing old blockages and embracing an abundance mindset, she now sees herself as capable, worthy, and destined for prosperity.
She often references Mark Twain’s timeless words:
“Find a job you enjoy doing and you never work a day in your life.”
For Candy, helping people grow, heal, and transform is not work—it’s her soul’s purpose.
Advice for Future SWIHA Students
If Candy could share one piece of wisdom with future students, it would be this:
“Stay with it. It works if you work it—so work it, because you are worth it.”
She knows firsthand that progress can feel slow, messy, or uncertain, yet everything eventually comes together for those who remain committed to their healing.
Gratitude for a Life-Altering Journey
As Candy prepares to transition beyond the program, she acknowledges the grief that naturally comes with leaving a place that changed her life so profoundly. Yet she chooses to transform that grief into motivation—energy she will use to reach new heights, expand her healing practice, and “shoot for the stars.”
She carries deep gratitude for every teacher, every lesson, and every moment at SWIHA, especially the joy she felt in her favorite course: Divination Tools—opening the tool kit like a child opening a magical gift on Christmas morning.
Above all, Candy leaves with a prayer and a blessing:
May every SWIHA student—past, present, and future—practice what they’ve learned and create the life they seek and deserve.
And with a full heart, she says:
“Thank you, SWIHA, for this life-altering opportunity.”
