What Makes a Man?
It’s Saturday, August 14, 2021; the day after my 36th birthday and, I’ve been feeling rather…manly lately. But what makes a man, and who defines what a man is?
I think it all started when I decided to get back into the gym for the first time since the pandemic. The gym, of course, is a great place to get the blood (and testosterone) a-pumping! One day, as I was walking into my apartment from the gym, I noticed a rather attractive young man who worked for the valet trash service of my complex. As he walked past me, he seemed to have this sly, cutely devilish smirk plastered on his face that I couldn’t help but notice. I also had to take note of a couple of other things about him…I talk about the whole ordeal in an IGTV video I posted. You can check it out here. In that moment, I felt an unfamiliar rush of wild masculine energy wash over me.
Since then and with yoga, meditation, and a rather interesting couple that I was dating (yes, you read that correctly) I’ve inadvertently honed and refined that energy. So, what makes a man?
A man, as it stands, is someone unafraid of going after what they want; resisting what detracts from their overarching goal(s.) They value self-care and focus on what feels good and right; eliminating distractions and issues. A man follows their instincts and intuition.
A man knows when to bow out; when the party’s over; when the chapter is coming to a close.
A man is patient and resilient.
A man is tenacious and decisive; forthcoming and clear. A man is intentional. A man says no to things that will not serve them. A man does not betray themselves by saying yes when they want to say no. A man is unafraid to say yes to the unfamiliar.
A man engages in discussion and discourse, not arguments. A man posits unpopular opinions.
A man leads and is lead. A man asks for help when help is needed, and accepts help when it is offered. A man leverages friends and those with more experience, knowledge, and skill without feeling threatened or inadequate. A man encourages and cheerleads.
A man acknowledges the presence of fear but doesn’t allow it to take control.
A man is charitable.
A man is grateful.
A man is ever-evolving.
I am the man that I want to be, defined only by me.
Photo credit: Maciej Drabik
