Loving Hard Through Roe v. Wade
Last week’s decision in the Supreme Court of the United States impacting women’s access to healthcare, and privacy rights, was not a complete surprise. But it is certainly confronting.
This latest decision of Roe v. Wade has the potential to reverse decades of advancements for women’s rights, is wide-reaching, and disproportionately impacts minority groups, and those in poorer socio-economic sectors who already lack access to equitable healthcare and resources for basic health and wellbeing.
We recognize that some readers may be immersed in the grief, sadness, and helplessness of the future outlook, with an immediate instinct to respond, act quickly, or jump to the defense of those in need. Let me also encourage you (again and always) to remember the importance of taking care of your own emotional needs, and those of the people you care about.
We recognize and respect that ABG community members may not share a common view on the issue, but we hope that what IS shared, is a common belief in creating a safe and welcoming community where we can share information, resources, and ways to support our own body autonomy as well as each other’s health and wellbeing.
As musician Neneh Cherry’s sang in “Woman,” “My blood flows through every man and every child. In this godless land that delivered me. I cried so many tears even the blind can see.”
So many tears.
Resistance and defiance can be powerful motivators for action, and while the new laws have the potential to wind women’s rights back decades, there is no limit to the potential for change from a single group with a common goal. As we sit in our grief and our sadness we also have the immense opportunity for community action for advocacy for alliances and vocal and visible support for change.
This week, I’d like to offer ways to support your health and wellbeing – at the personal and individual level – to navigate this most difficult and stressful of times.
You Do You:
People process trauma and grief differently so take the time that YOU need. This is a decision that restricts privacy and body autonomy, so asserting your own needs at this time is an act of care, defense and even defiance. Taking the time, and getting quiet enough to listen to your heart – and not the do-do of the mind – is one of the most critical ways that you can honor yourself, particularly when the pressure to “do something” can feel overwhelming.
Buddhist mediation teacher Tara Brach offers what she calls a tool for radical technique of self-compassion – the RAIN Technique (Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture). A simple step-by-step mindfulness technique that may be a helpful support tool to work through difficult emotions around this, or any issue.
Breathe and Move:
Take a deep breath, or better still, several – that sacred pause that exists within to help calm and settle the mind. Use gentle exercise to move the emotional energy through and out of the body.
The physical body holds emotional energy, trauma and grief, and in stressful situations, even a gentle walk around the block can help to clear and settle the mind. The Body Keeps the Score by Dr Bessel van der Volk is a FREE downloadable e*book and a helpful start to understanding how emotional states can impact physical wellbeing.
Get Involved in Community:
We can all do something to make the world around us a little more inclusive and compassionate. Lean on your support network and find safe spaces to gather, commune, talk, and share stories. Get outside and surround yourself in the wonders of nature to get grounded. Break out of your echo chamber and listen and see the hearts and minds of others without judgment. Open your mind and hearts to new communities and connect with a wider group of people than yourself.
Take Action:
Your voice matters, and stepping up is more critical now than ever. Put your defiance, rage, anger and energy into organizing for action. If you have the financial means, and are looking to donate, you will find a list of resources at the bottom of this post. Remember that forward action does not always need to be visible, posted to online media. For some, working silently and quietly away in solitude is the most healing way to get through times like this. This may also be a good time to review what health data is publicly available.
And remember to rest.
Finding compassion and kindness can be hard, especially when the issues are so deeply complex and outcomes long-lasting. Having this conversation can be an act of courage, and through small and tangible acts of compassion and kindness, we can find healing through these times.
I firmly believe that people have the right to privacy, and to retain sovereignty over their bodies. I will do everything in my power to create more inclusive spaces where these deeply private conversations can be held in a safe and open way.
The theft of sovereignty is real, but through leading with compassion, mindful and conscious thought, visible action, and organized and focused community actions, we can make our voices heard.
As Neneh Cherry implored, “There ain't a woman in this world, not a woman or a little girl. That can't deliver love in a man's world.”
Love hard.
Beck
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RESOURCES FOR SUPPORTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Center for Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org/
Yellowhammer Fund: https://www.yellowhammerfund.org/
Crooked Media's F*ck the Ban: https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/
National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/
National Abortion Federation: https://prochoice.org/
Reprocare Healthline: https://reprocare.com/
Repro Legal Helpline: https://www.ifwhenhow.org/repro-legal-helpline/
Indigenous Women Rising : https://www.iwrising.org/
Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project https://wrrap.org/
Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
The Bridgid Alliance: https://brigidalliance.org/
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
How Breast Cancer Changed My Relationship with Wine, by Carrie Honaker for Wine Enthusiast
A devastating diagnosis for food and wine writer, Carrie Honaker, led to a discovery of non-alcoholic joy.
Full-Bodied with Notes of Band-Aid and Medicine, by Ula Chrobak and Katarina Zimmer in The Atlantic
Climate change is altering wine as we know it.
Supporting Your Team When the News is Terrible, by Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien for the Harvard Business Review
Trying to figure out a path forward, let alone focus on getting work done, in the face of a continuous stream of devastating news can feel impossible. Chances are that your team is feeling a host of emotions, from anger to despair to helplessness.
I’m Out of the Office. Really, by Rachel Feintzeig for the Wall Street Journal
The ticket is booked, the bag packed. Next, craft the magic email to free you from your inbox.
Meet the Community!
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our industry so dynamic.
Terah Bajjalieh, Winemaker/Proprietor, Terah Wine Co (Northern California, USA)
Years in the Industry:
I have been in the industry for 12 years now. I had no wine knowledge so I started out by studying and pursuing a program which prepared me for the level two sommelier exam, through the court. After finishing my initial studies, for the first two years I did everything and anything I could to gain experience. After graduating, I was hired by the French Culinary Institute to help with the certification program. I did some sales and marketing work for other somms and local wine shops. Then I switched gears and got into production, and that has been my focus for the last 10 years. This has included time spent abroad, working harvests and the time pursuing my masters degree in Europe.
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
Maintaining balance when it's harvest. The world always seems to stop for me and the focus is always work. Harvest leaves little time for anything outside of work and the necessities of life: laundry, food etc. I always feel like I lose the sense of time and generally don't have energy for self care. When I was younger and abroad working I didn't mind being completely immersed. I loved it actually, but these days it's taking a toll in a different way
Being consistent with my mental and physical health has always been a challenge. As a young adult this was not even on my radar, which was partly due to upbringing and environmental issues. I learned through other people's struggles and hardships that I needed to teach myself to take better care of myself. I still struggle with maintaining consistency with my personal wellness especially now that my work load is greater than it ever has been.
Lastly, creating boundaries for myself. I've always had a “can do attitude”, I don't think I usually see limits to what I take on work wise, schedule wise and that's added more pressure than I need. It's totally self induced admittingly, but it has become a habit I need to learn to break. Creating boundaries with relationships and family is also always a challenge and has bleed over into my personal wellness at times.
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
At times when I'm focusing more on wellness, yoga and meditation has really helped. Being outdoors, hiking or near the ocean always feel really refreshing. Traveling has always given me a sense of escape and excitement which has helped with my mental wellness. These days a slow start to a morning sipping on coffee with a quiet and calm atmosphere is always something that makes me feel better, and calmer. It is usually my favorite part of the day.
What Inspires Me:
Travel and visiting wine regions or new cities. Learning and being challenged, or being in a creative space around things like art, street art, photography. Vibrant food and beverages experiences where all my senses are alerted usually are really exciting and inspiring to me.
A Quote I Love:
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”- Friedrich Nietzche
You can connect with Terah online at Instagram @terahwineco @terahwinecompany, Facebook Terah Bajjalieh Terah Wine Co and online at www.terahwineco.com
