May 2023 issue : simplebooklet.com

Authentic Insider | Page 02Dear Readers, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We start with anarticle by Mandy Harvey. Mandy writes about the importanceof feeling your feelings and working with them. ReverendKenneth Nixon Jr. contributes a piece about his own experiencebeing born into chaos and provides practical ways to fix abroken mental health system. Rachael Lemon also shares apiece about the difference between equity versus equality inmental health care.In this month's Prosecutor's POV, Kathryn Marsh dives into howto identify when Hate Speech becomes a crime. Trauma educator Karen Gross provides a piece that focuses onthe importance of asking the right questions when it comes toviolence and school shootings, especially for youngergenerations.We have your Mental Wellness AIM Playlist, along with mypicks for children and adult books that support Mental HealthAwareness Month. Plus, check out Joy Larkin's Twin FlameReadings to see what's in store for you this May. Happy Reading!Lorilee BinstockEditor in Chief

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

classes of people based on theirrace, religion, ethnicity, gender, orsexuality. Oftentimes we’re leftwondering how this is happening.Why is this allowed? And why isn’tmore being done to stop or at leastslow the spread of hate speech?It seems almost everyday there is a newstory on the newsabout hate rhetoricand threats againstLHate speech is not unique to theUnited States of America. Hatespeech impacts most of the westernworld, and if you have been thinkingthat it has gotten worse in recentyears, you would be correct. Although there is no specific studythat analyzes all hate speech, wecan learn a lot from different studiesthat have been published regardinghate crime and hate speech. Looking first at “Hate Crimes.” Ahate crime is defined as a criminaloffense that is motivated, in wholeor in part, by the offender’s bias(es)against a person based on race,ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexualorientation, disability, gender, andgender identity. In the US, hatecrimes had been consistentlydeclining from 2008 to 2014,however, since 2014, hate crimestatistics have been increasingeach year. Nationally, reported hatecrime incidents increased 11.6%between 2020 and 2021. While thisstatistic did not include New YorkCity, Chicago or most of California,these locations were not immunefrom the increase in hate crimes.New York City saw hate crimesincrease 18% from 2021 -2022 andLos Angeles saw a 13% increaseduring that same period.Hate crimes do not occur in avacuum. Several studies haveshown there is a direct correlationbetween hate speech and hatecrimes. In 2019, Cardiff University’sHateLab found that an increase inthe prevalence of hate speech onsocial media platforms led anincrease in the number of physical-world crimes against minorities. Anindependent NYU study focused ondiscriminatory tweets related torace, national origin, and ethnicity,found similar results, specifically,“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”Jackie Robinson WHEN IS HATESPEECH A CRIME?the NYU study “found that more targeted,discriminatory tweets posted in a cityrelated to a higher number of hate crimes.This trend across different types of cities(for example, urban, rural, large, andsmall) confirms the need to study howdifferent types of discriminatory speechonline more specifically may contribute toconsequences in the physical world.”Hate speech, is defined similarly to hatecrime and its “generally agreed to meanabusive language specifically attacking aperson or persons because of their race,color, religion, ethnic group, gender, orsexual orientation, appears on all socialmedia platforms.” Just like hate crimethere has been a steady increase over thelast decade. Between October–DecemberWritten by Kathryn Marsh, Prosecutor's POVAuthentic Insider | Page 10

Page 11

The Supreme Court outlined the“fighting words” exception to theFirst Amendment in the 1942decision Chaplinsky v. NewHampshire, ruling that words "bytheir very utterance, inflict injury ortend to incite an immediate breachof the peace” are not protected.The Court expounded on the“Fighting Words” exception inTerminiello v. Chicago (1949),finding that words which are likely to“produce a clear and presentdanger” are unprotected. Theseexceptions are extremely narrowand leave a large gray areabetween protected speech andcriminal activity, with the tie going tothe runner of protected speech. Infact, the Supreme Court stated thatstatutes criminalizing speech mustbe judged “against the backgroundof a profound national commitmentto the principle that debate onpublic issues should be uninhibited,robust, and wide-open, and that itmay well include vehement, caustic,and sometimes unpleasantly sharpattacks on government and publicofficials.” But what happens whenspeech is more than merelyunpleasant or caustic butthreatening?Speech that is likely to incite“imminent lawless action” is notprotected, nor is speech that isdesigned to intimidate or threatenindividuals. The clearest exceptionto protected hate speech against anindividual or group of individualscomes from Virginia v. Black(2003). The Supreme Court heldthat “statements where the speakermeans to communicate a seriousexpression of an intent to commit2021, Facebook detected, and tookaction on 17.4 million pieces ofcontent containing hate speech.Twitter has seen a 500% increasein the use of racial slurs as well asantisemitic and misogynisticlanguage since Elon Musk assumedownership. Even more troubling,however, is the increase in hatespeech amongst children. L1ight,looking at social media, Discord andgaming platforms, found that overallhate speech amongst children andteens had increased 70% since theCovid-19 outbreak.Since the studies have shown thatan increase in hate speech can leadto an increase in hate crimes, it isn’thard to ask why isn’t more beingdone to stem hate speech? Andwhy aren’t individuals being heldpersonally responsible? In the U.S.it’s because the Constitution. TheFirst Amendment states “Congressshall make no law respecting anestablishment of religion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof;or abridging the freedom ofspeech…” The First Amendment isoften in direct conflict with hatespeech, however, as bizarre as itmay seem with today’s violentrhetoric, this is the exact purpose ofthe First Amendment, to protectindividual’s rights to say almostanything they want. As NoamChomsky describes it, "If we don’tbelieve in freedom of expression forthose we despise, we don’t believein it at all."This does not mean that all speechis free game. Hate speech isunprotected and subject to criminalpenalties if the purpose is either:Discord and gamingplatforms, foundthat overall hatespeech amongstchildren and teenshad increased 70%since the Covid-19outbreak.Authentic Insider | Page 11

Page 12

an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual orgroup of individuals” are unprotected and can beprosecuted. It is this most recent case which hasinformed the passage of many of our most recentstatutes barring “terroristic threats” including lawsagainst bomb threats, threats of mass shootings andmore. Hate Speech remains, and likely will continue toremain, a gray area between protected speech andcriminal speech. This does not mean that anyindividual should put up with hate speech, especiallywhen it is targeted at them directly. Direct threats madewith the intent to commit an act of violence are a crime.Harassment, a continued course of action designed tobother, annoy, intimidate, or cause fear is a crime inevery state. Making a false report about an individualor group of individuals is also a crime. If you, orsomeone you know, is subject to hate and threateningspeech it should be reported, even if there is notenough to charge an individual criminally. There areoptions available for no contact or protective orders. Ifyou see hate speech on a social media platform, reportit. If you hear hate speech in your community, speakout against it. “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimismis a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice.Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make,makes you. Choose wisely.” Roy T. Bennett.Hate Speechremains, and likelywill continue toremain, a gray areabetween protectedspeech and criminalspeech.Authentic Insider | Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

W R I T T E N B Y R E V E R E N D K E N N E T H N I X O N J R . rowing up, I never knew what a normal childhood looked like. My mother sufferedfrom severe mental illness and was stuck in avicious cycle of incarceration or psychiatrichospitalization. A never-ending series of crisesconsumed our lives, and I felt like I wasconstantly on edge, waiting for the next shoe todrop.My mother's illness manifested in differentways. Some days, she was manic and full ofenergy; on others, she was lethargic and barelyresponsive. She would have episodes ofparanoia, where she was convinced that peoplewere out to get her. During these episodes, shewould lock herself in her room and refuse tocome out. Other times, she would becomeviolent and lash out at those around her.As a child, I didn't have the language or theknowledge to comprehend mental illness, and itwas hard not to take my mother's behaviorpersonally. I felt like I was always walking oneggshells, trying not to upset her or trigger anepisode when she was around. I was primarily inthe care of my father, so any encounters I hadwith my mother would be traumatic, fromcausing my elementary school to go intolockdown mode to unannounced visits to myhome. I can’t even remember a time when Iplayed at the playground, at the local recreationcenter, without constantly looking over myshoulder to ensure I was aware of mysurroundings and could spot my mother if shewas coming. I was conditioned partially byinstinct to be fearful of her and was taught tohide or quickly make my way home if I spottedher.The impact of my mother's illness on our familywas profound. We were constantly in crisismode, and there was no way out. I watched asmy mother was repeatedly incarcerated orhospitalized, only to be released back into thesame situation that caused her to become ill inthe first place. It was a vicious cycle that neverseemed to end.GAuthentic Insider | Page 14

Page 15

IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS OLDERTHAT I BEGAN TO UNDERSTANDTHE SYSTEMIC ISSUES THATCONTRIBUTED TO MY MOTHER'SILLNESS AND THE SUBSEQUENTTRAUMA THAT OUR FAMILYEXPERIENCED.It wasn't until I was older that I began tounderstand the systemic issues thatcontributed to my mother's illness and thesubsequent trauma that our familyexperienced. The American mental healthsystem is in crisis, and those affected by itsshortcomings are left without the tools andresources they need to thrive.In my upcoming memoir, Born Into Crisis, Ishare my story of growing up with a motherwith severe mental illness and a family stuck inan enduring cycle of trauma. But more thanthat, I provide practical strategies for creatinglasting change in our mental health system. Wecan do better and want to be a part of thesolution.One of the most important things we can do isto increase access to mental health services.This means investing in community mentalhealth centers and ensuring they have theresources to provide comprehensive care. Wealso need to prioritize early intervention andprevention so that individuals and familiesdon't have to reach a crisis point before theyreceive help.Another crucial component of creating lasting change isaddressing the social determinants of mental health.Poverty, discrimination, and lack of resource access cancontribute to poor mental health outcomes. Investing ineducation, affordable housing, and job training programscan help mitigate these factors and improve overallmental health in our communities.Born Into Crisis is more than just a story of resiliency. It's acall to action. As a young boy, I struggled to make senseof it all. Why couldn't my mother get the help sheneeded? Why was she trapped in this never-ending cycleof incarceration and hospitalization? It wasn't until laterin life that I began to understand the complexities of ourmental healthcare system and the urgent need forchange.That's why I am a strong supporter and advocate for Authentic Insider | Page 15

Page 16

"AS A SOCIETY, WE ARERESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURINGEVERYONE HAS ACCESS TOHIGH-QUALITY,COMPREHENSIVE MENTALHEALTHCARE. "the entire "Crisis Now" model of mental healthcare tobe implemented nationwide. The Crisis Now modelprovides an innovative and comprehensive mentalhealthcare approach focusing on early intervention andcommunity-based care.Under this model, individuals experiencing a mentalhealth crisis would have immediate access to crisisservices, such as mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilizationunits, and peer support. These services would beavailable 24/7 and provide individuals with the supportthey need to avoid unnecessary hospitalization orincarceration.Additionally, the Crisis Now model emphasizes theimportance of community-based care, including accessto affordable housing, employment opportunities, andeducation. By addressing the social determinants ofhealth, individuals with mental illness can receive thecomprehensive care they need to live a full andproductive life.I firmly believe that if the Crisis Now model had been inplace when my mother struggled with her illness, herlife could have been very different. She could havereceived the support she needed to avoid repeatedhospitalizations and incarcerations. She could havebeen allowed to thrive and succeed.As a society, we are responsible for ensuring everyonehas access to high-quality, comprehensive mentalhealthcare. The Crisis Now model provides a frameworkfor achieving this goal, and I am proud to support it.Let's create a mental healthcare system that works foreveryone, regardless of background or circumstances.As I say in my book, “none of us control the beginning;we sure do have a say in the conclusion.” Kenneth Nixon Jr. is the author of “Born IntoCrisis.” He is a pastor, community organizer,and mental health advocate. He knowsfirsthand what it means to navigate personalmental health challenges while alsonavigating a broken system on behalf of aloved one. Kenneth speaks out about the needfor reform in the mental health system, andworks to improve the lives of those affected bymental illness. He also is the founder of the non-profit justice organization called Justice Now.Find out more about him atwww.authorkennethnixon.com.Authentic Insider | Page 16

Page 17

Page 18

Equity Versus Equalitywritten by Rachael Lemon s a coach, peer support worker and domesticabuse survivor, I often hear the terms equalityand equity being used interchangeably.However, there is a crucial differencebetween the two concepts that is essential tounderstand.Equality is about treating everyone the same,regardless of their circumstances. It assumesthat everyone has the same starting point andthe same needs. While this may seem fair, itignores the reality that not everyone startsfrom the same place or has the same needs. Itcan perpetuate inequality because it fails toaddress systemic issues and structural barriersthat prevent some individuals from reachingtheir full potential.Equity, on the other hand, is aboutrecognizing that different individuals havedifferent needs and addressing those needsaccordingly. It involves taking into accounthistorical and systemic factors that havecreated inequities and working to correctthem. Equity is about creating a level playingfield, not just treating everyone the same.AAuthentic Insider | Page 18

Page 19

"It’s about creating a society where everyone has an equal chanceto thrive and succeed, regardless of their circumstances."Justice is the ultimate goal of equity. It’s aboutcreating a society where everyone has an equalchance to thrive and succeed, regardless of theircircumstances. This means recognizing andaddressing past wrongs, as well as creatingsystems and structures that ensure fairness andequality for all.Dismantling the scaffolding of oppression andinequality is a crucial step towards achievingequity and justice. This means adopting anti-oppressive practices and actively working toeliminate discrimination based on race, gender,sexual orientation, disability, and other factors. Bycreating a more inclusive and equitable society,we can ensure that everyone has the resourcesand support they need to thrive.Intersectionality is also a critical component ofachieving equity. This theory recognizes thatindividuals have multiple identities andexperiences that intersect and impact their livesin diverse ways. For example, a Black woman mayface discrimination based on both her race andgender, which can create unique challenges thatare not experienced by a white woman or a Blackman. By understanding intersectionality and theunique challenges that individuals face, we canprovide targeted support and resources thataddress their specific needs.As a coach and peer support worker, my role is tosupport survivors of domestic abuse and genderbased violence navigate the complex systemsthat perpetuate inequality and injustice. Authentic Insider | Page 19

Page 20

By understanding the concepts of equality,equity, justice, dismantling the scaffolding,anti-oppressive practices, andintersectionality, we can work together tocreate a more equitable and just world for all.As a survivor of domestic abuse, I know first-hand the impact that inequality can have onan individual. When I was in an abusiverelationship, I had very different needs thanmy abuser. Treating us both equally wouldhave perpetuated the abuse and made itimpossible for me to escape. It was only whenI received the support and resources I neededto address my specific situation that I wasable to break free.When we talk about equality versus equity, it’simportant to remember that equity is aboutacknowledging and addressing the systemicfactors that create inequality. It’s aboutrecognizing that different individuals havedifferent needs and working to ensure thateveryone has the resources and support theyneed to succeed. By prioritizing equity, wecan create a more just and equitable societyfor all.Let’s continue to challenge the status quo,break down oppressive systems, and fight fora better future.When we talkabout equalityversus equity, it’simportant toremember thatequity is aboutacknowledgingand addressing thesystemic factorsthat createinequality.Authentic Insider | Page 20

Page 21

Page 22

eelings are at the very essence of ourhumanness. They make up who we are;influencing the choices we make and thelife we live. Identifying, feeling, and processingemotions is essential to our self-awareness and personal growth. Yetmore often than not, we go through lifedenying them; repressing and hidingthem away even from ourselves. We try hard to pretend we are “fine”,“good”, “okay”. We push them down andaway like we are playing a game ofWhac-a-Mole. Remember that oldarcade game?Emotional whac-a-mole is exhausting,time-consuming, and frustrating. Itdrains our energy and doesn’t allow usto ever relax let alone build asustainable, successful life.Even when we successfully push downa feeling, there’s no real satisfactionbecause we haven’t actually resolved it– we’ve just temporarily scared it off.Subconsciously we’re already on thelookout for the next place that feelingis going to emerge.In this place we are in a perpetualcycle of playing defense. It keeps ournervousE V E R Y T H I N G ' S F I N EE V E R Y T H I N G ' S F I N ELearn how to feel your feelings andmake your emotions work for you,not against you written by Mandy Harvey, Trauma Healing ExpertFAuthentic Insider | Page 22

Page 23

system triggered and in constant stress. It limitsour capacity to communicate compassionately toourselves and others, it impairs our decisionmaking abilities, deteriorates our health, and itdistracts us from the present moment.It makes a lot of sense why we would respond thisway when feelings come up, especially unpleasantones. Unless we grew up with conscious parents whowere working on their healing and wereemotionally available, we weren't taught how to feelour feelings. Feeling our feelings is a vulnerable act. We can feelnaked and exposed and they can make us feel out ofcontrol. It puts us in a position of potentially beingjudged, criticized, and made to feel wrong. And whowants to feel that??We know better now. We know that repressing a feeling does not make itgo away. The reality is that we’re actually justpushing it down into our body and it’s being storedthere.That stored feeling most often comes with aphysical sensation - a tight chest, a bloatedstomach, tension in the neck, etc. When we store a feeling, the energy of it wants toflow and is continually trying to push its way out. So, what happens when we continue to pretend “Iam fine” and suppress one feeling after another?There comes a time when we hit a tipping point.When we hit this tipping point our body can nolonger hold the energy of those feelings and theinflammation of those unexpressed feelings startsto deteriorate our body. T H A T S T O R E D F E E L I N GM O S T O F T E N C O M E S W I T HA P H Y S I C A L S E N S A T I O N - AT I G H T C H E S T , A B L O A T E DS T O M A C H , T E N S I O N I N T H EN E C K , E T C . T H A T S T O R E D F E E L I N GM O S T O F T E N C O M E S W I T HA P H Y S I C A L S E N S A T I O N - AT I G H T C H E S T , A B L O A T E DS T O M A C H , T E N S I O N I N T H EN E C K , E T C . Authentic Insider | Page 23

Page 24

Anxiety & depressionPanic attacks & emotionaloutburstsAutoimmune disordersGut dysfunction & leaky gutImpaired mental function & brainfogChronic health issues like: foodsensitivities, thyroid imbalances,hormonal imbalances, chronicfatigue syndromeThis can show up as physicalsymptoms. Symptoms like…The skill of feeling our feelings doesnot come naturally, but with dailypractice it can be learned. Without it,we are truly at the mercy of ouremotional state, unable to deeplyknow ourselves, and lacking thecapacity and resilience to thrivethrough life's ups and downs.Here is a 4-step process and practicethat when done regularly can helpyou build up the skill of feeling yourfeelings and shifting the dynamic sothat your feelings can work for you.Authentic Insider | Page 24

Page 25

H.E.A.L. Through Embracing & Feeling YourFeelingsStep 1: Honor the FeelingWhen we feel a feeling come up (pleasant orunpleasant) honor it, recognize the feeling andname it. “I feel [insert feeling] … “We are made up of a full spectrum of emotions.Depending on who you ask there are anywherefrom 6 to 400+ feelings and emotions. Having alist of feeling words handy, can help us buildup the muscle of naming it. When we can nameit, we can do something about it.Step 2: Experience the Feeling Once we’ve named the feeling, now we moveon to locating and noticing the feeling in ourbody. This can be done by closing our eyes orsoftening our gaze, taking a few deep breaths,and noticing where we feel the feeling, that wejust named, in our body. What is the quality ofthat sensation? Is it heavy or jagged? Is there acolor, a word or phrase? Focus your mind onthat sensation and just allow it to be there inits full expression. When we can feel it, we canheal it.Step 3: Acknowledge the FeelingNow that we have located the feeling in our body,it’s time to compassionately acknowledge thefeeling and see if we can get to the heart of thatfeeling. This can be done by placing our hand onthe spot where we feel the sensation of thatfeeling and repeating to ourselves or out loud, “Isee you. I hear you. I love you.” You might also addthings like “You have a right to feel this way.” “Thisis hard.” “It makes sense.” Take time with this,allowing the feeling and sensation to be therewhile validating your experience. Just notice whatelse might come up to reveal the heart of thatfeeling.Step 4: Love the FeelingThis final step is all about giving love to thatfeeling, to our body and listening for what thatpart of us might be needing right now to feel a bitmore peace, calm, love, or support. This lookslike, with our hand on the spot where we feel thesensation of that feeling, repeating to ourselves orout loud, “I love you. I’m here for you. What do youneed from me right now?” Whether you need a 5min break outside, silence, a moment to connectto your breath, a hug, validation of yourexperience - give that to yourself in that moment!Be sure to embrace curiosity throughout thisprocess and journey through it with lots of grace,love and compassion!W E A R E M A D E U P O F AF U L L S P E C T R U M O FE M O T I O N S . D E P E N D I N GO N W H O Y O U A S K T H E R EA R E A N Y W H E R E F R O M 6T O 4 0 0 + F E E L I N G S A N DE M O T I O N S .W E A R E M A D E U P O F AF U L L S P E C T R U M O FE M O T I O N S . D E P E N D I N GO N W H O Y O U A S K T H E R EA R E A N Y W H E R E F R O M 6T O 4 0 0 + F E E L I N G S A N DE M O T I O N S .Authentic Insider | Page 25

Page 26

Page 27

Page 28

Page 29

As the mental health crisis reaches devastating levels post pandemic, more and more people arelooking for ways to manage their mental health. How does a childhood sexual abuse survivor, a veteran struggling with PTSD and an athletesuffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), trauma, and addiction find effective healing andrelief? Psychedelics. A treatment that was studied and used as effective treatment for mental health disorders until itwas banned and categorized as a schedule I drug in the 1970s, psychedelics have providedmuch needed relief for thousands of people suffering from trauma and mental health issues.Regardless of the laws banning these treatments, the people who understood the power of thesemedicines feel more empowered to find ways to help others find healing through them. On thefollowing page click on the graphic to view the Proof of Concept for "Our Own PersonalRealities." An Upcoming Documentary about the Fight toBring Psychedelic Healing Back into the LightAuthentic Insider | Page 29

Page 30

Page 31

Page 32

The simple answer is no. I think we are askingthe wrong questions if we are concerned aboutstopping school violence and mass shootings.Let me unwrap this statement.The approach of a host of legislators has beencharacterized as “nihilistic” — in others words(as I understand it), they are just punting andtaking no specific stance and are throwing theirarms up in the air. They are saying: Just aproblem. Just criminals. Nothing we can donow.” I am not sure that is what is meant by,nihilism, historically or even now, but it is thevogue term of art for how folks in power areresponding to the latest shooting. I, along with many many folks within andoutside education, have been deeplyconcerned about the rise in school shootings in2023. I have been concerned about violence —broadly defined. But, I don’t think giving up orgiving in or shrugging our collective shouldersin disbelief are the answers.THE IMPORTANTQUESTIONSW R I T T E N B Y K A R E N G R O S S , T R A U M A E D U C A T O R n education, we sadly seem more focusedon students getting the right answer than weare in helping students ask the right questions.Just think about all the statewide standardizedtesting where one answer is right (supposedly).Answers: those are what matter and those arewhat we use to make data informed decisions.And, we fail to acknowledge sufficiently thatone of the gifts an educator can give tostudents is helping them learn to ask reallygood and hard questions. And, we can’t beafraid of questions, even difficult ones. We haveto ask them of ourselves and others. And thatapplies to situations far beyond educationalinstitutions.It may be for these just articulated reasons thatone of the most influential books I have everread is James Ryan’s "Wait What and Life’sOther Essential Questions."This book informs what I do, what I ask, how Inavigate, how I view the world. That’s onepowerful book and I don’t get royalties.IAre We Asking the Right Questions aboutViolence and School Shootings?Authentic Insider | Page 32

Page 33

Why are we not asking students how they feel afterall these swatting episodes and the accompanyinglock downs? Why are we not processing the fearmany students and educators near and far from theincidents have, whether from drills or actualshootings? And yes, gun violence is the leadingcause of death in children but most of the deathstake place OUTSIDE of school, often in homes andneighborhoods.An amazing kindergarten teacher is asking herstudents today, prompted by a drill for severeweather that took place yesterday and a student’sresponse, how they felt about the event. She isasking: How did it make you feel? Did it remind youof anything/ Can you share whether you are stillthinking about the drill now?I am visiting a campus soon that has had its share oftraumatic events on or close to campus (from sexualharassment to deaths to fires to stabbings). And, inthat context, I prepared a set of questions for thereception for faculty. Sure, we could just do wineand hors d’oeuvres but I liked the idea of posingSome have called for legislative change,cautious of the Second Amendment. Somehave organized protests. Some have talked a lotabout the US culture versus that of othernations with less violence and fewer shootings.I have talked about developing less deadlyammunition. (We know how to do theopposite) I have considered why we need andallow certain types of weapons in our streets —assault rifles for example. I have talked aboutgun safety education. I think mental health is acontributory factor, more correctly stated, thelack of mental wellness.It seems to me we do more to enable people toget a driver’s license than we do to getweapons. And make no mistake about it: cars(like weapons) are dangerous to the driver andto others in the same car or other cars tostanding or walking on crosswalks andsidewalks. Just read "Rising in the Mourning." Itwill tear your heart apart.Recent Sets of Questions in Different ContextsWe fail to acknowledge sufficiently that oneof the gifts an educator can give to students ishelping them learn to ask really good andhard questions.Authentic Insider | Page 33

Page 34

And now the quote:There are many ways to judge the success orfailure of a country. We can look at its economy,the strength of its military or the quality of itseducation. We can examine the soundness ofour bridges or the smoothness of our highways.But what if we used a different standard? Weshould judge a nation by one simple metric: thenumber of weeping parents it allows, the smallcoffins it tolerates.I might quibble with the word “parents” andsubstitute caregivers. I might suggest thatother metrics are wrong and surely we needmore than one by which to judge an entirenation (including how we treat our citizenryand our degree of liberty from tyrants andoppression). But the question posed above is akey one and a troubling one.Time for all of us to ask way better questions.We can begin today, right?important questions and I will answer one. Callit role modeling. And the questions will beavailable for faculty folks to take with them, sothey can reflect after the event. And they canboth ask the questions of others and ponderthe questions (and answers) themselves.Here’s one of the questions. Exercising self-careis not selfish. Why is that a true statement(assuming it is for you) and why it is so difficultfor many of us in the caregiving fields to deployself-care?Now, it is in the context of all of the above that Iread a really smart, thoughtful opinion piecetitled (with a question) appearing in theNYTimes by Esau McCaulley: How Can We Be aCountry That Does This to Our Children. Thepiece is dated March 26, 2023.I was particularly struck by the followingparagraph in this Opinion and I want to askthese questions in anticipation of your readingthe paragraph: Can we begin to ask the rightquestions, the hard questions, the probing andprocessing questions that enable us to start ona pathway for change? James Ryan has aquestion that fits right in here: Can’t we at leastagree that — — — — -? My “that….” is: Can we atleast agree that too many children are dyingfrom guns and we can no longer sit back andbemoan these occurrences? And finally, can’twe have different metrics for measuringsuccess in a number of arenas, of which safetyis but one?We should judge anation by onesimple metric: thenumber ofweeping parentsit allows, thesmall coffins ittolerates.Authentic Insider | Page 34

Page 35

Page 36

MENTAL WELLNESS PLAYLIST "Brave" by Sara Bareilles"It’s My Life" by Bon Jovi"About Damn Time" by Lizzo "Now I'm In It" by Haim"Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins"Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato"Smile" by Jay-Z featuring Gloria Carter "Head Above Water" by Avril Lavigne‘24/7" by Kehlani"Everybody Hurts" by REM"Save Myself" By Ed Sheeran"Unwell"BY Matchbox Twenty"Fight Song" BY Rachel Platten"CHAMPION" BY Bishop Briggs"Breathin" By Ariana Grande"Way Less Sad" By AJR May is Mental HealthAwareness Month andhere is my playlist thatgives me all the feels.Whether I am happy, sad,mad, or need a shift,these are my go to jams. Ihope you enjoy!Authentic Insider | Page 36

Page 37

Listening to my Body is an engaging and interactive book that guideschildren through the practice of naming their feelings and the physicalsensations that accompany them. Learning to tune into their bodiesand do this, is a foundation for self-regulation.From wiggly and squirmy to rested and still, Listening to My Bodyhelps children develop a sensations vocabulary so that they can expresswhat they are experiencing. It includes kid-friendly activities woventhroughout the book to reinforce the teachings.The Little Book of Confidence introduces young readers to the idea offostering and maintaining a positive and healthy self-image. This bookoffers tips insights that will help young children face daily life andchallenging situations with confidence. It provides an explanation ofwhat it means to practice being confident. With fun text an engagingillustrations, The Little Book of Confidence will become an essential titlein every school and home library.*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Authentic Insider | Page 37Anxiety is not just a cognitive experience. When children feel anxious,their bodies respond physically to a perceived threat. They need to feela sense of safety before being able to figure out what to do next.Your child can read along and learn practices and strategies that keepthe anxiety from taking over.Find Your Calm is a wonderfully accessible book that teaches childrenhow to tap into their sense of safety when anxiety sends a falsealarm, so they can find their calm.

Page 38

Meet Dr. Eugene Lipov. His research and partnerships have led to anamazing discovery that all trauma has at its root a single piece of humanhardware: the sympathetic nervous system, controlling the fight-or-flightresponse. Anyone who has endured trauma, including long-term microdosesof emotional stress, can have this injury. Dr. Lipov has pioneered a safe, 15-minute procedure that reverses the injury, relieving mild to extremesymptoms of PTSI—irritability, hypervigilance, anxiety, insomnia, and more—for survivors to combat soldiers to the everyday person. MENTAL HEALTHBOOKS (FOR ADULTS)The American mental health system is in crisis, and those affected by itsshortcomings are drowning without the tools and resources they deserveand need to thrive. In Born Into Crisis, author Kenneth Nixon shares his storyof growing up with a mother with severe mental illness and a family stuck inan enduring cycle of trauma. He knows firsthand the impact trauma canhave on a person's life. Kenneth not only takes you on a powerful journeythrough his stories, he provides cogent and practical strategies for creatinglasting change in our mental health system. Born Into Crisis is more thanjust a story of resiliency. It's also a call to action.We have all experienced the connection between our mind and our gut—thedecision we made because it “felt right”; the butterflies in our stomachbefore a big meeting; the anxious stomach rumbling when we’re stressedout. Western medicine has failed to appreciate the complexity of how thebrain, gut, and more recently, the microbiome—the microorganisms thatlive inside us—communicate with one another. In The Mind-Gut Connection,Dr. Emeran Mayer, executive director of the UCLA Center for Neurobiologyof Stress, offers a revolutionary look at this developing science.*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Authentic Insider | Page 38

Page 39

I feel as though rejection could have happened to someone in the past. It looks like it was divinely protected, or I feel likesomeone needs to learn that rejection isn’t about you but usually the other person. Try not to internalize it. Mercury is inretrograde so there could be people, places and things that could be coming back around. I see finances could be getting better this month. There is a possibility of financial support. A side note: I see that someoneis feeling regret for the way they treated you. There could be a need to heal, and revisit old wounds of the past, whether thisis you or someone that you're dealing with. Abundance is coming in but there may be a delay. For couples, maybe there could be some indifferences or arguments. But I see everything is getting resolved in due time.Some couples may just need alone time because a lot could be on your mind. Many could feel overwhelmed. All will be well.Singles, I see someone from your past stalking and looking at your social media. Many are working to overcomecodependency. I was seeing many cards about a few people being disconnected from their God and Creator. It would be a good idea totake a trip, retreat, or getaway to clear your mind. Many of you could be earth angels and may not know it. Someone else isvery unhappy and discontent with their life right now. On the other hand, the collective must be mindful of people comingaround you with hidden agendas, and deceptive motives. I see a lot of that going on right now. Just be careful to trust yourgut and listen to your intuition.A few of you could have plans you set for yourself, but it didn't work out as you hoped. That is okay because remembereverything happens for a reason. It's time to come out of isolation. It’s time to surrender to the divine. Most of you havelearned how to balance out spirituality and practicality. A lot of you are ready to move forward to the next level in your lifedue to healing from the past. If you are reading this, you will achieve your goals you set for yourself. If it hasn't happenedyet, then the timing isn't quite right. Please be patient.In conclusion, May could be a busy month for you. A chance for a reconciliation is quite possible this month. This could bewith people, places, and things as well. I do feel that there could be an apology coming in. Again, I'm seeing anopportunity for a job offer, or a new business venture coming soon.Monthly Collective ReadingsMonthly Collective Readings for All Signsfor All Signswith Joy Larkin (May 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023) Joy is a Narcissistic AbuseSurvivor who has made it her life'swork to help others through lifecoaching. She is also a healer,earth angel and psychic medium.If you would like coaching servicesfrom Joy and/or get your ownpersonal reading, please scan thebarcode below with yoursmartphone camera.READINGSPersonalINFOCoachingAuthentic Insider | Page.39