Healing * Inspiration * Self-Care
One of the primary reasons the Black Men Healing Circle is such a powerful experience is because of the men who choose to show up. Doctors, lawyers, psychotherapists, college students, retired senior citizens, and Black men from a variety of backgrounds have shown up for themselves. They chose to leave their title at the door, …
I listened to a Black man talk about how he was in pain, but didn’t want other people to see that he was in pain.He was used to being the source of strength and support for other people. It was hard for him to accept support even though he needed it.It was hard for him …
Fall is the perfect season for reflection and doing a reset if needed. This year is almost over. Have you accomplished most of your 2022 goals? Are you wondering where all of the time went? Do you feel anxious about the time that is left in this year, and your ability to make the most …
I remember a one year old Black boy huffing and puffing so much that he was barely able to breathe. He was upset, and was trying hard not to cry. He didn’t want to cry because he was always told to “Man Up” when he started to cry. Even though he had only been in …
I recently read about the death of a young Black male comedian named Teddy Ray. I saw a lot of comments that expressed shock and sadness at his sudden passing, but what stood out to me the most were the comments that mentioned the impact Teddy Ray had on their lives. There were a lot …
Russell J. Ledet, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. is an amazing example of the power of believing in you and your dreams. I am still in awe at the powerful moment in his viral video when he told himself “I am proud of you Black man!” after matching for his triple board residency in pediatrics, general psychiatry, and child and …
A common phrase is birds of a feather flock together. Another popular phrase is that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This is why an important question you need to constantly ask yourself is: “Who is in your circle?” Are the people you are allowing into your …
A common complaint I hear from my adolescent clients when they are dealing with situations they don’t like is that they can’t wait until they grow up. They assume that becoming an adult will somehow magically solve all of their problems. This is because they don’t fully understand that adults are still struggling with problems …
The heart of a Black man is more fragile than many people think it is. Black men suffer from heartbreak just like everyone else. They may suffer in silence more because of societal pressures to appear tough on the outside. Yet, underneath that tough exterior is a heart that has been broken into a million …
Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated. Having some type of support system is crucial for our well-being at every stage of life. It is even more important for Black men who may feel unloved and unappreciated, because they already have a variety of risk factors that threaten their well-being, including racial trauma and health …
We know that words have power. The power to heal. The power to destroy. The power to build up. Words have the power to shape the narratives of our lives. One of the ways Black men can help change the narrative of their lives is to use the power of their own words. Lester Young recently shared how …
Happy 44th Birthday Sid!I will always miss us telling each other “Happy Birthday!” on our birthday. It does not feel like it has been 8 years since the last time we saw each other, and unknowingly gave our final hug and goodbye. As I reflect upon your life today, I want you to know that …
I have seen a lot of Black men heartbroken over having to fight to remain active in their child’s life. Common complaints include not being able to spend enough time with their child, co-parenting issues that result in them appearing to be the bad guy in the relationship, and the eventual estrangement between them and …
One of the hardest battles you will fight in life is achieving the goal of creating the life of your dreams. Black men have a lot of battles to fight in life. The battle against racism. The battle to be seen and heard. The battle to feel appreciated. All of these battles are a part …
Are you who you want to be right now? Do you desire to make changes to improve your life? The first step to transforming your life is providing an honest answer to these questions. In order to change you must embrace change. Here are some tips to help you master the art of reinvention: Do …
It can be hard to visit a physician to take care of your physical health. You may be forced to schedule an appointment when the physical pain is too much to bear, or it disrupts your daily living routine. Reasons vary among Black men regarding their reluctance to see a physician for preventative healthcare. It …
This journey called life has many roadblocks. Racial trauma is a common roadblock for many Black men because it can create a constant pattern of struggling to survive. It is challenging to create the life you desire when you have to fight for the right to live. Racial trauma has a negative effect on your …
The question for this month is: “What seeds are you planting?”This is a timely question because we celebrate Father’s Day in June.But this is not only a question for fathers…it is for every man. The seeds a Black man can plant in his lifetime can be representedby his children. The seeds you are planting during your …
Happy Anniversary to The Sid Center! June 19, 2022 is a day full of celebrations.Today is a celebration of liberation. It is Father’s Day. It is Juneteenth.It is also The Sid Center’s Anniversary!The business birthday of The Sid Center on Juneteenthis intentional, because we are committed to thehealing, wholeness and liberation of Black men and …
I recently had the pleasure of listening to Black fathers talk about how much they enjoyed spending time with their sons.I loved seeing their faces light up with joy as they talked abouthow much fatherhood meant to them. One of the fathers stated that spending time with his son was like therapy for him as …
Healing is an inside job.It is the journey of a lifetime.Yet, this is a journey so many people try to run fromduring their lives. They eventually discover that youcan’t run from yourself, because wherever you go…there you are. There are a lot of external factors that Black menwill need to heal from during their lives. …
Self care is surrounding yourself with positive people.Spending time with positive people can make youhappier, more productive and fulfilled.Who is around you can influence what is within you.
This year is almost halfway over!It is time to check in on your progress. Are you on track to accomplish your goals for 2022?Do you need to adjust your goals?Do you need to create new goals?It is important to evaluate where you have been,and where you are to get to where you want to go.But …
Happy New Year! You may already be tired of hearing “New Year, New You!” as we start a new year. 2022 is a new year, but it may not feel completely new because we are still dealing with a pandemic. Did you start this year still feeling stressed out and overwhelmed from last year? It …
