- own house
- own car
- own job
All of us have them memorized, I'm sure. We should probably get t-shirts made for the next family reunion. While I've loosely achieved the basic requirements that my mother laid out to consider myself grown, becoming a man had some additional requirements. Where the requirements came from, I honestly can't recall. I never received a how-to handbook or a required graduation unit count and my father (unlike mom) didn't spell it out for me.
How to become a man is something that many of us define and figure out how to achieve on our own. I was blessed with several great examples from which I selected characteristics that I wanted to embody as well as others I hoped to avoid. I live under the pretense that you can learn something from anyone, even if it's what not to do.
Becoming a man, in my opinion, means learning who you are and being willing to stand up for what you believe is right. All men don't think or act the same, but we do all live by a set of principles. What those principles are will vary and even change over time through learning, experience and humility, but being a man is about being strong enough to stand up for what you believe in as well as admitting to being wrong.
We at Men of Substance are about voicing issues, concerns and opinions that are beyond ourselves. We are writers, speakers, community leaders, educators willing to stand behind our words. Our hope is that the conversations evoke change, inspire healthy dialogue and to invite others to be willing to share their thoughts as well.
Why Not Women?
When Men of Substance was still a concept, I received this question from several female friends. The question is valid, so I feel the need to address it up front. In no way, shape or form does our existence imply that women do not have the capacity to create or have an opinion; our belief is the polar opposite.Our aim is to discuss topics such as health, relationships, family, communities and whatever else comes to mind from the male perspective. Men need to have the platform to discuss these issues as men, with other men. Women absolutely deserve the same respect and opportunity. My wife, in fact, hosts quarterly meetings with women to discuss similar topics. While I've never been to one of the meetings (for obvious reasons), I've heard great things about how it helps. Hopefully what we do will help as well.
Join us, by subscribing to our blog. Join the conversation.
How to become a man is something that many of us define and figure out how to achieve on our own. I was blessed with several great examples from which I selected characteristics that I wanted to embody as well as others I hoped to avoid. I live under the pretense that you can learn something from anyone, even if it's what not to do.
Becoming a man, in my opinion, means learning who you are and being willing to stand up for what you believe is right. All men don't think or act the same, but we do all live by a set of principles. What those principles are will vary and even change over time through learning, experience and humility, but being a man is about being strong enough to stand up for what you believe in as well as admitting to being wrong.
We at Men of Substance are about voicing issues, concerns and opinions that are beyond ourselves. We are writers, speakers, community leaders, educators willing to stand behind our words. Our hope is that the conversations evoke change, inspire healthy dialogue and to invite others to be willing to share their thoughts as well.
Why Not Women?
When Men of Substance was still a concept, I received this question from several female friends. The question is valid, so I feel the need to address it up front. In no way, shape or form does our existence imply that women do not have the capacity to create or have an opinion; our belief is the polar opposite.Our aim is to discuss topics such as health, relationships, family, communities and whatever else comes to mind from the male perspective. Men need to have the platform to discuss these issues as men, with other men. Women absolutely deserve the same respect and opportunity. My wife, in fact, hosts quarterly meetings with women to discuss similar topics. While I've never been to one of the meetings (for obvious reasons), I've heard great things about how it helps. Hopefully what we do will help as well.
Join us, by subscribing to our blog. Join the conversation.
No comments:
Post a Comment