Fun is not optional for us as Black men; it is part of how we heal, regulate our emotions, and stay balanced.Fellas, let me ask you a real question:What do YOU do for fun? Not what you do because you’re a good father, a solid partner, or a responsible man of God—but what you do that actually feels fun to you.A lot of us blur the line between duty and joy. We show up for our kids, our families, our churches, and our communities because we are leaders, providers, and protectors. But if we’re honest, being present doesn’t always mean we’re actually having fun. Sometimes we’re serving, but we’re not enjoying. Sometimes we’re in the room, but our spirit is still heavy.Fun is different.Fun is where your body can finally exhale, your mind gets a break, and your emotions get room to breathe. Consistent, enjoyable downtime has been shown to lower stress, lift mood, and help people bounce back from everyday pressure and trauma. For Black men who carry unspoken expectations, racial stress, and the pressure to “always be strong,” that kind of joy is not childish—it’s therapy in motion. So in this space, let’s keep it honest and specific:- What actually makes you laugh out loud?- What helps you lose track of time in a good way?- What would you still do even if nobody thanked you, praised you, or posted it online?Drop ONE thing that is pure fun for you—not for your kids, not for your family, not for your job—for YOU.No judgment. No shaming. Just brothers naming what joy looks like for them, so we’re not only carrying weight—we’re also creating room for rest, play, and emotional balance. God is not against men having fun; He is the One who actually gives us good things to enjoy. The verse says He “gives us richly all things to enjoy,” and that’s the part I want to sit with. Brothers, that means healthy fun is not some side piece to the Christian life—it is part of God’s design for us as men. He is a generous Father, and He’s not just giving us responsibilities; He’s also giving us moments, spaces, and activities that let our souls breathe and our hearts lighten up. So when I ask, “What do you men do for fun?” I’m not asking you to be less spiritual. I’m asking if you are actually receiving what God is already offering. Are you only carrying weight, or are you also receiving joy? Are you only showing up as a leader, or are you also letting God lead you into things that make you laugh, relax, and feel alive? I want you to think about one thing you do that is pure fun for you—not a duty, not a performance, not “being a good dad” or “being a good man,” but something that feels like a gift from God to your own heart. That’s where this verse gets real: the same God who saved you also wants you emotionally and mentally healthy, and part of that is learning how to enjoy what He’s given you.

Recovery after Incarceration

Recovery After Incarceration: Understanding the Journey
“One year in, two years out” — That’s the general rule many experts use to describe how long it takes to recover after incarceration.
What the Research Says:
– For every 1 year of incarceration, it can take 1 to 2 years of supported, healthy reentry for full recovery — emotionally, socially, and economically.
– Trauma, institutionalization, and loss of autonomy often cause emotional and psychological effects similar to PTSD.
– Family relationships, especially with children and partners, can take years to rebuild.
– Employment and housing stability often take 1–3 years, especially without strong support systems.
Factors That Influence Recovery Time:
• Length of incarceration — longer sentences require deeper recovery.
• Age at release — older individuals may face more challenges.
• History of reoffending — repeated incarceration can reinforce destructive mindsets.
• Access to services — reentry support, therapy, and community help drastically shorten recovery time.
• Type of incarceration — solitary confinement and violent environments deepen trauma.
Focus on the Mindset, Not the Statistic:
Statistics often say that for repeat offenders, or those with violent histories, the outlook is bleak. But for those who have served 10+ years—especially violent offenders—studies show they typically do not reoffend. This group is different. What we will do together is not focus on the statistic, but the mindset that gives the statistic power.
In this group, we will examine the mindsets and behaviors born out of trauma. These patterns may feel normal, but they are not healthy. Together, we will re-educate ourselves, rebuild our emotional toolbox, and change the narrative—proving the statistics wrong, one mindset at a time.

Men, Marijuana and Mental Health PT 1

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“Smoke Screens: When Marijuana Becomes the Mask for Men’s Pain”
By Chaplain Michael Hall, Be-More Alive Ministries

In barbershops, on the block, in the quiet of their own homes—more and more men are lighting up. Not always for joy. Not even always for stress. Just… because.

For many men, especially Black men and returning citizens, marijuana has become a silent therapist. A familiar crutch. A way to numb the noise of life without ever having to speak on what’s really going on inside. We’ve been taught that showing emotion makes us weak, that crying is something boys grow out of, and that therapy is for “them,” not us.

So instead of talking, we toke.
Instead of healing, we hide.

Yes, marijuana can be a form of harm reduction in some cases, but when it becomes the only way we cope, we’re not reducing harm—we’re avoiding healing.

This is where mental health becomes spiritual warfare.

Too many men are trying to fight emotional and spiritual battles with smoke and silence. And the enemy knows—if he can keep you numb, he can keep you from purpose. Marijuana may calm the surface, but it doesn’t address the storm inside. That requires something deeper. That requires biblical therapy—truth-based healing that speaks to the spirit and soul.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” But how can we receive that closeness when we’re constantly trying to quiet our brokenness with weed instead of the Word?

At Be-More Alive Ministries, we believe that healing starts with facing what hurts, not just masking it. Through our programs, groups, and biblical support systems, we walk with men as they break the silence, process their pain, and learn emotional discipline rooted in Christ.

This is more than behavior modification—it’s identity restoration.

Brothers, you don’t have to keep smoking to silence your soul. There is a better way.

Let’s stop medicating what only God can heal.
Let’s choose wholeness over numbness.
Let’s be more alive.

Join us.
For support groups, biblical therapy resources, and one-on-one coaching, visit http://www.bemorealive.org or reach out directly to mike@operationgateway.org.

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