June Came with Instructions...

From: The BB WarRoom

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First and foremost, S/O to all the Graduates of 2025!

You worked hard to get to this milestone, and I wanted to personally congratulate you if you're one of the many that didn't quit and stayed focused.

You deserve everything you put your mind to; that's a fact!

I didn’t need a motivational quote to wake me up this morning for starters.

The calendar did it for me.

June showed up like a bang for some, but a whisper to others. Somehow, that quiet energy felt louder than a whole graduation audience.

This month isn’t about chasing—It’s about choosing.

Choosing who you actually want around you, and who you build with.

Choosing how you respond to situations.

Choosing what gets your energy and what doesn’t, because whatever it is that you're trying to accomplish this summer, make sure it aligns with your core morals and values.

Now I can't forget my birthdays on the 5th of this month, and I’m not chasing candles anymore or applause this year. I’m chasing alignment, Peace over pressure, Progress over perfection.

Before we even get into any summer plans,

there’s something deeper at play this month:

June holds a lot of weight.

It’s Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month—A reminder that silence doesn’t make us stronger, Reflection does, Support does, being heard does.

This month is an opportunity for all men, not just Black men, (but especially us) to check in with ourselves and each other without feeling shame, and plus Juneteenth is around the corner. That's an additional powerful reminder that freedom isn’t always given, you have to claim it.

Let's honor this month of June through learning, legacy and healing.

Here’s my question to you though:

What are you doing this summer that’s truly for you?

Not for the to-do list.

Not for the grind.

Not for people-pleasing.

Just you...

Because June is the reset button nobody really talks about.

The weather is nicer, the days stretch longer, and You’re not racing the clock—you’re sitting with it for a while. That’s the perfect space to explore what’s actually good for your mind and what works for your future self.

Here are three places to start:

• Try one new activity that sparks a curiosity.

• Block off a weekend to fully disconnect and reset yourself.

• Schedule joy like it’s a non-negotiable business meeting.

If you do this right, you won’t need a vacation to recover from your routine.

You'll build a lifestyle flourishes your opportunities and protects your peace.

This is the month to liberate your freedoms, check in with your mind, honor your roots, and to water what grows you.

Let’s get it!

— Damien J. Branch