Home > Work > Masculinity Amidst Madness
21 " At the heart of it,all men understand that they are born alone and without purpose. Men make their purpose. A woman is born and quickly learns that she is a cherished vessel for the next generation. Built in meaning and purpose is within her grasp. She can grow life, give birth to living being who will love her. This is her power, and in our chaotic societ any man can help her make this happen. Her power to create is godlike. "
― , Masculinity Amidst Madness
22 " Man has protected woman by placing her in the home by the children. Men approach the outside realm, bearing the burden of facing the unknown or dangerous world. Man tries to hide this from woman. It is hard to put into words this concern and the desire to protect them from seeing the indifferent universe for what it is. Yes, you may believe in an all-powerful God, but God's will is not often your will. Women have grown to resent this, yet the resentment is found in ignorance of the great void of indifference. Only now, female surgeons that realize their fertility window is closed and 40 more lonely years stare at them understand this horror. Only after losing that chance do they understand how protective the old arrangement was. "
23 " Women are drawn to men who take risks. Not simply in the cultural memes of men on motorcycles, but in the scientific proof of their attraction to men with facial scars. The scars signal risk-taking, proof that the man survived a challenge and maybe even left a foe for the worse. "
24 " How many marriages are turned into slave-master relationships because a man could not simply say no and laugh at the ensuing outrage. She will get angry and she will move on. Those husbands suffer through miserable lifetimes because they did not want to deal with a painful argument.Think of the women that threaten or outright withhold sex from their husbands due to small disagreements. It is not the act, but even the threat shows the man's weakness. He has shown that he is weak there and will cave for the tiniest morsel of physical gratification,because if a woman thinks the threat will work, sex has completely devolved to a scheduled activity for her. The passion and animal spirits are gone. She knows he cannot say no and deal with her upset at him. She knows he will not verbally retaliate with barbs that cut far deeper than simply withholding sex. "
25 " How many children are spoiled and grow to be incapable adults because a father could not say no? The child given everything melts down in adulthood when they meet the grinder of reality. Strategic nos would have saved them future pain. If a child melts down, remove the child from the room. The child may say,“I don't love you anymore."Answer, "Good for you." Be sure to remind them of that statement the next hour or day when they do declare their love for you. "
26 " Look around you at the groups that thrive and grow even in this age of chaos. There is a common trait to them.They police their borders and behavior of members. There is a cost to defecting and bucking the norms and mores. They say no to bad behavior. They shame behavior detrimental to the group's stability and continuity because they know that the group provides identity and a sense of purpose and belonging. "
27 " Asking for help is not just to alleviate our loads, mental and physical, but to offer other men the opportunity to help. In these instances,a son has the opportunity to prove growing skills and strength. A friend or coworker can prove their personal skills are handy. They show value in a world where we are never quite sure where we stand. To deny these opportunities is to prevent the full expression of your fellow man. They do not reduce your standing as an individual or as a part of the family or community. "
28 " Ancient men conquered cities put them to the sword and fire, meanwhile you go to WINE BAR with ‘gf’ and enjoy tasteful banter…YOU ARE GAY! "
29 " What have they done? What have you done? How will you chose to honor them? Will people honor you? It is good to sing their praises, but hagiographies are children's tales. There is most likely something in every person you know who passes on in your lifetime that you share in common with them. Learn from their mistakes. Consider the errors they made. Think of their strengths and emulate them. To emulate and copy them is to honor their existence. This destroys the nihilists who argue how nothing is meaningful and everything is impermanent and useless. "
30 " These women do not stop to ponder the consequences of their claims to be playing with the boys. They do not consider the full male experience, but cosplay the particular parts the system wants them to play. She works hard for the corporation. She has meaningless sex. She acts tough. She isn't afraid to fight. She then wonders why women are depressed more, committing suicide more often, and why one in four are on mental medication. "
31 " Greeks worshiped Achilles. He chose death! He could have chosen a long and comfortable life. Greeks had a word for this kind of life: “by his mother’s side.” It was almost poetic formula. It’s said of Jason, leader of the Argonauts and his crew, and of what they chose against. But Jason and his crew chose instead a great voyage into the unknown and great fame. Achilles chose a short life of war, and he chose death to avenge his friend. He thereby won eternal fame among men. Theseus chose danger, a great voyage, the Labyrinth: he saved his homeland from a foreign beast that devoured its choicest young every year. Who will be our Theseus? "
32 " A man knows that to learn means more than to simply ask questions. It means more than reading one book. It means more than a simple search on a phone. A man knows to question the veracity of claims and to seek pure truth. Armed not just with the truth, but with a drive and method for discovering the truth, a man can trust his judgment. If a man can trust his judgment, he can trust himself to be a fair judge of other men. From there, he can lead. "