We address the importance of vulnerability, acknowledge
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Hi folks,
It took me a while to draft this message to you, and while I thought about everything I wanted (and didn’t want) to say, more and more issues came to light around the world.
I, personally, had been struggling for the past few weeks. I try to be transparent when writing our articles and newsletters and hope to normalize having mental health challenges. This month, my own mental health needed extra support. I went for walks, took care of my plants, saw my therapist, slept, sought distractions, ate ice cream, and spent time with friends. The different coping skills I tried helped, to some extent, although none totally eliminated my anxiety or depression. What helped the most? Being honest with friends about what I was experiencing. Being vulnerable wasn’t easy (it never is), but it was easier than suffering alone. This month’s blog article is all about vulnerability. If you’ve thought about sharing when you need support, but have hesitated, perhaps it could help.
I also wanted to risk being vulnerable here in naming that the current uprising in Iran has recently been a focus of my emotional energy. As a first-generation Iranian American, I have a complex relationship with Iran. When I see the images of what is happening there, I feel equally inspired by the protesters and terrified by what might befall them. It’s bringing up a lot for me, including the intergenerational traumas my family has carried since fleeing. Is it bringing up stuff for you, too? If so, I hope you are tending to your needs as well as possible and connecting with your community. We are interdependent creatures, at our best when we support each other.
And finally (I know this is long!), this month is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Years ago, I wrote a blog article on suicide, and I still think it’s relevant. If you’d like to read it, you can find it here: The S Word: Talking about Suicide. And if you need additional resources, you can find them here: Suicide Prevention Month.
As always, we are here if you need any support. Our email address is info@takeroottherapy, and you can reach us by phone or text at (323) 388-5578. We hope you are staying well, taking care of yourself, and caring for each other.
Warmly,
Saba Harouni Lurie (she/her/hers)
On The Blog
What Makes It So Hard to Be Vulnerable?: Why We Avoid Vulnerability and Why We Should Stop
Many people hear the word vulnerability and immediately become uncomfortable. Vulnerability, specifically emotional vulnerability, can mean exposing ourselves and allowing for potential emotional pain. In our contemporary culture, vulnerability can also mean revealing our weaknesses and relinquishing control. It makes sense that we feel uncomfortable or afraid if we acknowledge that allowing ourselves to be open and exposed means risking being taken advantage of or hurt. We may even think we will be judged or viewed differently for sharing our deepest fears and insecurities. Or, in what’s similarly distressing, we may worry that others will invalidate our feelings and brush them aside…
How to Help
Flooding in Pakistan
If you’ve been following the reporting, you’ll know that more than a third of the entire country of Pakistan is currently underwater. The effects of climate change have resulted in record-breaking monsoon rains and melting glaciers that have swept away much of the country’s infrastructure and taken thousands of lives since June. The people in the affected regions have not only lost their homes and everything they held dear, many of them also lost their livelihoods as they were subsistence farmers whose fields are now completely submerged. And reports are indicating that there are many communities who have been cut off from desperately needed humanitarian aid for weeks as there are no longer any roads or bridges accessible to reach them. The people of Pakistan need our support now.Unicef Pakistan and the Alkhidmat Foundation are both currently doing their best to provide desperately needed resources like food, clean water, and shelter to those they can reach, but they need all the help they can get. Please consider reading up on the work these organizations do so that you can determine how you might best support them.
Supporting the People of Iran
The current social justice uprising in Iran that emerged after the tragic, unlawful killing of Mahsa Amini by the country’s “morality police”, has been both incredibly heartening and heartbreaking to witness. It’s important to recognize that this senseless act had nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with the system of corrupt and oppressive human rights abuses that are regularly sanctioned by the state of Iran. Many of us watching are unsure of what actions we can take and should take to show support.Anti-Racism Daily just sent out this helpful list of ways that you can get involved in supporting the people of Iran and we thought it would be worthwhile to share it with you all:
- Donate to Iran Rights to support their work documenting and reporting human rights abuses in Iran.
- For the tech-savvy: Create a proxy server to help Iranians stay connected on Signal, an encrypted messaging app.
- Sign the petition to encourage international leaders to hold the Iranian republic accountable for violence against women
- Follow and share stories unfolding behind the hashtags #MahsaAmini and #IranProtests.
Community Events
Taipei Night at the USC Pacific Asia Museum
Head to the USC Pacific Asia Museum for a festive evening of arts, culture, food, and fun. There will be a short film program, filmmaking workshop and screenings, and an art print giveaway, plus Taiwanese snacks, boba tea, pop music, and more!
WHEN:
Saturday, October 8th
event begins at 5:00pm
WHERE:
USC Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Home Composting & Urban Gardening Workshops – South LA Wetlands
Join the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation for a free, comprehensive workshop that seeks to curb food waste and empower folks to incorporate more sustainable choices in their daily lives. The first half of each workshop will teach you how to turn kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Home composting is taught by a team of ten rotating LA Sanitation & Environment green waste specialists. The second half of the workshop will focus on the urban gardening topics for the month of October: healthy soils and fall harvests. Our friends from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will also be there to offer water conservation tips and rebate information.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 15th
9:00am – 11:00am
WHERE:
South LA Wetlands
5413 South Avalon Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Featured Publications
The 5 Love Languages — And How to Use Them to Strengthen Your Relationship
featuring Saba Harouni Lurie
