Back in February, I wrote about how much I appreciated the article From Negativity to Self-Compassion: A Conversation With Shauna Shapiro, especially her practice of looking in the mirror first thing each morning and saying, “Good morning, I love you.” It’s a simple but powerful act of self-compassion based on the idea that “what you focus on grows stronger.”

Inspired by her words, I decided to begin the same practice myself. I’m happy to share that I’ve stayed committed to it each morning—though I’ve added my own touch: “Good morning, I love you, I matter, I forgive you.” Sometimes I change the order depending on what I need most that day. Having good intentions is one thing; following through consistently is another, so I wanted to share this small personal victory with you.

We’d also love to hear about the self-compassion tools or practices you’ve implemented in your own life. Feel free to share them with us at [email protected].

This June “Men’s” issue is filled with timely and meaningful content. As the parent of a teenage son, I found Developing Minds in a Digital World: Helping Boys Navigate What They Are Not Ready to See especially important. Its insights extend far beyond young men, reminding all of us to be mindful of how social media scrolling, shocking headlines and unexpected online content can affect our mental and emotional well-being.

On a more hopeful note, Finding Meaning and Hope in Troubled Times: A Conversation With Jeffrey Rubin beautifully rounds out the issue with this reminder: “People have to live in two worlds simultaneously. They have to recognize what’s wrong and continue pursuing what they value.”

Wishing you purpose, self-compassion and the pursuit of what matters most this month of Father’s Day,

Shannon