I know that my blogs always tend to focus on the politics of the day. But, I thought I would take a little time to write about something non-political that has been on my mind lately. Due to some recent changes in my life, I have been contemplating a question for which I feel it is important to have an answer. The question I find myself asking is, “What do you think it means to be a man?” versus one of the countless “guys” I see roaming our country. The following is what I have decided (at least for me) what it really means to be a man in the 21st century.
Growing up I always thought being a man meant you needed to be rough and tough like John Wayne “The Duke” or the famous animated character “He-man” who was a strong and muscular representation of the “ideal” man.
Being an man (not just a guy) in the 21st century requires guts. It demands courage, strength, and faith. Today’s generation of men face a new way of expressing manliness in the world. A way where compassion, service, and love is the leading-edge of being in the world. Whereas 20-30 years ago men were conditioned to not show their emotions and encouraged to be “the man of the house”. Where as today, times are changing and being a powerful and confident man looks and acts shockingly different in today’s society. To all my friends who are men (not just guys), this post is for you.
What it means to be a man:
Integrity: Having integrity means you honor your word and your commitments. How many times did someone give you their business card or they email you and you “forget” to call them or email them back? Being an man means your word is more valuable than anything else. People can trust in you because of your commitment and your consistency in being there when you say you will or calling them when you say you will. Integrity is not an act in life, it is a way of life. The world needs more men who are willing to stand by their word and honor their commitments.
Being of Service: In today’s world we often see people impoverished mentally, physically, and spiritually. Being and man means you are willing to put others before yourself and look for ways, on a daily basis, in which you can be of service to others. What separates an man from someone who is just a guy is the fact that they are self-motivated to create happiness and joy in the lives of others and not self-centered only in thinking about how they will grow and succeed. In today’s world we are learning that it’s not only possible, but necessary for men to be successful in their personal goals and career well as the goals of others around him. It’s time to lay down the “I need to get mine” mentality and look for ways to share our time and talents for the happiness and comfort of those around us.
Emotional: In order to be an man it means you are willing to show your true feelings with others. In doing this you are creating a new level of honesty, authenticity, and power for the next generation of men (like my 12 year old son and my nephews). In the John Wayne era we were taught to bite our feelings, stuff them down, and get over it. Those days are over. Holding our emotions in only creates resistance and a lack of flow in our creativity, abundance, and drive for life. This way of the ego has met its last day for those ready to embark on a powerful journey of being a real man. It’s time for men to be willing to show their sensitivity, passion, and true feelings in front of others. There is tremendous power in revealing your true emotions. Doors are opened to create a greater connection and a feeling of true community within humanity.
Visionary: Being an man means you are fearless to dream and go after your dreams and not let the world around you constrain your imagination and genius. The world is only growing smaller and a man carries a vision that is so unique and inspiring that he is willing to face the criticism and doubt of others and keep moving forward in his belief in its being a reality.
Faith: Let go of the idea that you are in control of everything that happens in your life and trust in something greater than yourself to be a guiding compass in this world. A man continues to use his mind and intellect to believe and keep moving forward, yet realizing that there is a power greater than he moving through him bringing his vision and the world together through him in a powerful way. A man is consistent with his daily spiritual practice. He does not let anything remove him from his daily spiritual practice which keeps his heart open and the possibility of being a conduit for powerful change to occur through him. He continues to seek growth and recognizes his need for improvement without carrying guilt about it. A man understands that he is merely passing through this world.
Sense of Humor: One of the biggest differences in what it means to be a man today verses being just another guy is having a lightness about you and being able to laugh and make others laugh around you. Through laughter a man shows his confidence in life and his ability to trust and go with the flow. When you find yourself heavy and serious you have lost touch with your true self. Create a way each day to laugh and make others laugh which expands a lightness for those around you.
It’s a big role to be a man today. We need more men that are willing to step up and not worry about what others think of them and confidently spark a new era of what it means to be a man. I am incredibly grateful to the person who gave me the inspiration to think of this and give me the food for thought to continue to grow into a man (you know who you are). I may not be completely there yet. But, I will try to grow a little more every day. This may only be the foundation of being a man. There are many more ways to add onto what it means to be a man today.
I send my blessings to all my friends who are men.
Growing up I always thought being a man meant you needed to be rough and tough like John Wayne “The Duke” or the famous animated character “He-man” who was a strong and muscular representation of the “ideal” man.
Being an man (not just a guy) in the 21st century requires guts. It demands courage, strength, and faith. Today’s generation of men face a new way of expressing manliness in the world. A way where compassion, service, and love is the leading-edge of being in the world. Whereas 20-30 years ago men were conditioned to not show their emotions and encouraged to be “the man of the house”. Where as today, times are changing and being a powerful and confident man looks and acts shockingly different in today’s society. To all my friends who are men (not just guys), this post is for you.
What it means to be a man:
Integrity: Having integrity means you honor your word and your commitments. How many times did someone give you their business card or they email you and you “forget” to call them or email them back? Being an man means your word is more valuable than anything else. People can trust in you because of your commitment and your consistency in being there when you say you will or calling them when you say you will. Integrity is not an act in life, it is a way of life. The world needs more men who are willing to stand by their word and honor their commitments.
Being of Service: In today’s world we often see people impoverished mentally, physically, and spiritually. Being and man means you are willing to put others before yourself and look for ways, on a daily basis, in which you can be of service to others. What separates an man from someone who is just a guy is the fact that they are self-motivated to create happiness and joy in the lives of others and not self-centered only in thinking about how they will grow and succeed. In today’s world we are learning that it’s not only possible, but necessary for men to be successful in their personal goals and career well as the goals of others around him. It’s time to lay down the “I need to get mine” mentality and look for ways to share our time and talents for the happiness and comfort of those around us.
Emotional: In order to be an man it means you are willing to show your true feelings with others. In doing this you are creating a new level of honesty, authenticity, and power for the next generation of men (like my 12 year old son and my nephews). In the John Wayne era we were taught to bite our feelings, stuff them down, and get over it. Those days are over. Holding our emotions in only creates resistance and a lack of flow in our creativity, abundance, and drive for life. This way of the ego has met its last day for those ready to embark on a powerful journey of being a real man. It’s time for men to be willing to show their sensitivity, passion, and true feelings in front of others. There is tremendous power in revealing your true emotions. Doors are opened to create a greater connection and a feeling of true community within humanity.
Visionary: Being an man means you are fearless to dream and go after your dreams and not let the world around you constrain your imagination and genius. The world is only growing smaller and a man carries a vision that is so unique and inspiring that he is willing to face the criticism and doubt of others and keep moving forward in his belief in its being a reality.
Faith: Let go of the idea that you are in control of everything that happens in your life and trust in something greater than yourself to be a guiding compass in this world. A man continues to use his mind and intellect to believe and keep moving forward, yet realizing that there is a power greater than he moving through him bringing his vision and the world together through him in a powerful way. A man is consistent with his daily spiritual practice. He does not let anything remove him from his daily spiritual practice which keeps his heart open and the possibility of being a conduit for powerful change to occur through him. He continues to seek growth and recognizes his need for improvement without carrying guilt about it. A man understands that he is merely passing through this world.
Sense of Humor: One of the biggest differences in what it means to be a man today verses being just another guy is having a lightness about you and being able to laugh and make others laugh around you. Through laughter a man shows his confidence in life and his ability to trust and go with the flow. When you find yourself heavy and serious you have lost touch with your true self. Create a way each day to laugh and make others laugh which expands a lightness for those around you.
It’s a big role to be a man today. We need more men that are willing to step up and not worry about what others think of them and confidently spark a new era of what it means to be a man. I am incredibly grateful to the person who gave me the inspiration to think of this and give me the food for thought to continue to grow into a man (you know who you are). I may not be completely there yet. But, I will try to grow a little more every day. This may only be the foundation of being a man. There are many more ways to add onto what it means to be a man today.
I send my blessings to all my friends who are men.
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