Friends,

Happy June!

Spring is turning toward summer and thoughts of baseball games, the beach, and barbeques start to take shape in our minds.

June is also a time when we traditionally honor and remember our fathers and our father figures—all of those dads, stepdads, grandads, godfathers, uncles, and other men of integrity who step up and step into the role creating beautiful legacies of love, support, protection and guidance.

In this issue, we will examine those masculine energies and emotions that surround all of us, influencing our families, homes and communities each and every day. We’ll focus on men’s health and wellness and also turn our attention to healing trauma.

Check out our very insightful feature about tough-guy gender roles and cultural expectations which can amplify men’s stress levels. This stress can then increase health risks, as well as addiction and suicide rates. Thanks to changing social mores, guy-friendly mental health resources and support, help is more accessible. More men are taking responsibility for their well-being and stepping up to the plate as strong, sensitive leaders. Don’t miss The Healing of the Modern Man: Men Redefine Their Emotional Power.

I was especially moved by The Gift of an Imperfect Father which addresses the long work of coming to terms with the failings of a flawed father. How a shift in perspective can help us realize in shorter time their weaknesses actually might also give us important survival tools and resilience. Examining what they have done right and giving credit where it is due can help us move on toward achieving full healing and forgiveness.

So, as we begin to make plans for summer, let’s celebrate our masculine friends, family members, spouses, partners and children. We are ever grateful for them and recognize the special part they play in shaping our lives and our world.

Deep bows,

Shae