We are officially in the month of June, and did you know that June is Men's Mental Health Awareness? Well, it is technically just Men's Health Awareness Month and last month was Mental Health Awareness. But I am going to speak specifically to Men's Mental Health. Men seem to be the least acknowledged beings. I quite frankly hate it, men are human beings too; they have feelings and emotions just like women.
Men experience traumas and daily struggles just the same as women do. The only difference is that they are usually afraid to talk about it or do anything.
For many years men were told to be providers and protectors. Don't cry, don't share any emotions because it means that you're weak. Well I am here to say, that's a freaking lie. Telling our men to suppress their emotions causes a strain on them mentally. They begin to think that they're nothing but a checkbook and muscles. Once they begin to think this way, it creates problems in their relationships and interactions with others. Is this truly the experience we want our men to have? Is this the experience we want to have with our men?
It is already bad enough that we now live in a world where there is a war against our men, specifically black men. Our men can't go outside without wondering will today be the day that I get pulled over and not make it home? Will today be the day that I simply be treated differently because of the color of my skin? I am not a man so I cannot begin to fathom how this must feel, to have that much pressure on my shoulders every single day.
I am a firm believer in being the change that I want to see in the world, so this month I released Affirmations for my KING e-book. It is a 21 day challenge for women to participate in. Instead of us complaining or sprewing negative energy towards men, for the next 21 days we will be uplifting and motivating them through our affirmations. I am extremely excited for the 21 day challenge, I am ready for something different to happen and for me it starts here.
If you are a woman reading this, take a moment to check out Affirmations for my KING. See if it is something that interest you, if not this month I just challenge you to show love toward the men in your life a little more than usual. He needs it!
If you are a man reading this, King I want you to know that you are appreciated. You are loved, you are fearless, you are confident, you are the source and the resource for those around you. You are prepared and equipped for the life you are destined to live. In the darkest of times don't dim your light too, shine like you're supposed to.
As always, remember to Affirm the life you want, Create the space for it to be, and you'll Manifest it!
-Nikki B.