An article posted today online stated that three in ten twenty somethings live at home. It began with "A weak economy and high debt levels are prompting more young adults to return to the family nest...Perhaps surprisingly, most are happy with their living arrangements."
This comes the week that I've been waiting to hear back about a job that in both interviews seemed like was going to be the foundation of my next leg of my mountain I would climb, but to my luck I made it all the way to the top of the short list only to hear "we're not going to hire anyone at this time," which is a change from the "we decided to go with the other candidate."
I live at home. I began preparing myself to move out and now I'm stuck. For how long, I do not know. The important thing I should share is that I am a stay at home son. Yeah, I owe it to my Mom, I am here only flesh and blood. I couldn't see her be hurt to see me again. I actually pride myself on the fact that I live in a four bedroom bachelor pad with an in-law suite that my folks happen to live in.
Fifty years ago it was common for twenty somethings to move back home until marriage and many times family lived together, nearby in the same city or even on the same block. So it's not embarrassing to live at home, a kick to the ego, but hey, what ya gonna do.
I took a ride around town tonight - there's nothing like a night ride on the bike. Cycling through the historic district - and it was such a beautiful clear night. Jupiter and Mars shined bright. The crisp spring air kept it refreshing and the roads, for the most part, were empty. My iPod sang into my ear as I enjoyed such a refreshing break from the brutal realities of life. The realities we all struggle with, like complaining about the cards we're dealt, attempting to fathom future endeavors and worrying about the mountains we are faced to climb.
While I sat on a park bench in the center of town, just a few feet from the Gazebo I spoke to my spiritual director on the phone. The one who gave me the advice months ago about only worrying about the three seconds in front of you, as that's all you can control. With my feet up on the bike seat, resting comfortably on the cold steal of the bench I took in the sights of the night's festivities as I got more pearls of wisdom that have helped me to refocus my attention towards my journey.
"Focus only on the next three seconds," he said to me. "With everything going on in life and all the uncertainties, that's all you can do, especially now."
"It's not that I'm scared," I began. "But I am worried about the future, especially having to start from scratch with my job leads, yet I'm not scared of what's to come. Not one bit. I'm livin'. I'm meeting new people. Finding ways to stay involved and make a difference. I'm always seeking out adventures and new mountains to climb. As long as I focus on the next three seconds, I can't lose."
As I rode home I pondered our conversation. A friend earlier today tried to give me a pep talk about recent developments in my job search. She said "God has a plan for me and there's a reason for me to still be here..." even after going out to Maine.
The funny thing...As I turned on to my street I noticed something. With the night upon us, and the lights off by most of the neighborhood, the street lamps made it look like a runway at the airport. The bright street lights twinkling among the dark doubtfulness of the night welcomed me on my descent home. Guiding me in, like a plan about to land.
No matter where you are in our own lives, in your own journey and what section of the trail we're on, there will always be home calling for us. For what reason, we won't know. but the lights of the street will illuminate the way and guide you in on your final descent. That where ever we are, we will always feel, at some point, that a part of us wants to be home, for whatever reason. It could be the only means to survive, because you need "me" time to figure out problems or deal with struggles, or because home is where your heart is and no matter what, home will always be alive in your heart... and just a reminder, it's a personal choice to be a stay home son. I'm doing it for my Mom.
Just focus on the next three seconds.
Until next time...
3.11.2012
Overcome, adapt and pack lots of snacks
Spring has come early here in Ohio. Winter missed the memo and Spring came in with the new year. The warm weather has provided many opportunities for getting out on the trails to break in my new gear and train for the many hikes I have planned for the coming months. This past weekend there was a lesson learned while lost in the woods and I'd like to share my tall tale...
While hiking in the Metroparks I had set out to tackle a half day trek through the hiking and bridle trails that would encompass a good portion of trails in Hinckley. As I was on a the Northwestern loop through the woods I had followed what I thought was a marked trail that lead me right back to the fork in the trail where I had begun the leg an hour earlier. There were blazes on the trees and clear signage from time to time. My survival instincts made me believe that I was clearly on the trail marked on the map.
So on my second trip through that section of the woods I searched for the junction where I'd be able to take another trail back towards where I needed to be. As I approached an area that I thought was the section I was greeted with a "Closed" sign for the trail which forced me to continue to hike the trail for a second time.
As I pushed on I found a clearing, east of the trail, that was roughly 300 yards away, across a stream and over the ravine. After much deliberation I decided to take the chance and I deviated off the trail towards my anticipated location. As I weaved in and out of the trees, crossed the stream and made my way up the steep ravine I became more and more positive with my decision to seek out my own path. When I reached the top of the embankment I came to a well marked path which had to have been the portion of the trail that I saw marked on the map. A bit disoriented of where my true location was I decided I needed to head North to Northeast. Within twenty minutes, and about a mile hiked,I arrived to where I needed to be along the trail.
When I got back to my car I studied the map of the area and realized that when I got to the portion of the trail that through me off, I had begun the right trail but followed a portion of it not marked on the map. Where I saw the "Closed" sign I figure that would have taken me to the trail I later found.
The point: There I am following my course that is set forth, clearly marked and well traveled, but it took me in circles until I realized that it wasn't necessarily that path I needed to be on. Yet, through careful observation and a keen sense of optimism to get back on the right path, I decided that it was necessary to stop, collect my thoughts and plot out a new course. A decision to deviate from my laid out path to ultimately make my own way towards where I should be. And with planning, a sense of adventure and faith in myself I was able to get back on the right path after being lost.
Now, I wasn't in a survival situation, in any kind of immanent danger or anything like that, but the path I was on, although it seemed right, was not where I was supposed to be at all, but with trusting in myself and putting faith what I've been told I was able to make my own way towards finding the path I was called to be on. The path that would ultimately get me home...
How often do we find ourselves along a trail that we think is the right path, only to find out that we are no where near where we should be to get home?
Until next time...
3.04.2012
What you learn from being ignored by a tween
This past weekend I lead a retreat for over seventy junior high kids from the area. Like most young teenagers they come to retreats not looking for much or anything at all. And, like most retreats, I went to help share lessons of inspiration and faith only to be taught greater ones for me in my own life.
As we enjoyed a day of fun group activities, energizing songs, powerful witnesses and prayer you could tell that some kids were totally into it and other a bit apprehensive. As I facilitated the activities and even gave a witness I kept being drawn to one kid. A scrawny eighth grader with black rimmed glasses. He kept to himself, avoided eye contact and seemed more into his texting than he was than taking part in the day.
I attempted to start up small talk. When I came to an emotional or moving part of a talk I tried to engage him, but it seemed nothing I did, the special attention, was getting him to budge and I felt defeated.
When it came time for our retreat to end I happened to sit at his table to say my thank you's and good bye's to some kids from my PSR class and as they left, the kid looked at me and with a big smile thanked me for putting on the retreat. Then, coming from the kid who seemed bored and not interested, let alone ever paid attention to anything we did, completely caught me off guard. He said and I paraphrase:
I really enjoyed the day and what you said in your talk about feeling lost on your path up the mountain. It made me think about the things I'm struggling with on my personal journey. Today really helped me. I'm glad I came.
It's funny how often we try to force things to happen "our" way and stress out about making things work out how we think they should, regardless of how things are going. We strive so hard to make things happen now and make them so great and overcomplicated, only to be humbly reminded that what is supposed to happen will indeed happen, maybe not how we would like it to or when we want to, but it will happen when it is supposed to.
Last spring I was struggling with my job, my relationship with my girlfriend and a thousand and one other things and I had my spiritual director give me the best advice I've ever received about how to live my life. He said:
"Only worry about the next three seconds...It's right in front of you and it's the only thing you can control or need to worry about. The rest will happen as it's meant to happen."
How many times in our lives do we get so worked up over what we're doing at work, at home, with friends, with our significant other, etc. and forget that all we can control is what we do right now, and here in the next few seconds, the rest is out of our control. Just imagine how much more we could do in our lives if we thought that way. How much simpler and more enjoyable our lives would be. Sometimes we need those simple reminders that we can't control everything, but if we let go and live for now we can move mountains and change lives, even our own. In my case it took being ignored by a tween who looked like Harry Potter. Point taken god, thanks!
Until next time...
As we enjoyed a day of fun group activities, energizing songs, powerful witnesses and prayer you could tell that some kids were totally into it and other a bit apprehensive. As I facilitated the activities and even gave a witness I kept being drawn to one kid. A scrawny eighth grader with black rimmed glasses. He kept to himself, avoided eye contact and seemed more into his texting than he was than taking part in the day.
I attempted to start up small talk. When I came to an emotional or moving part of a talk I tried to engage him, but it seemed nothing I did, the special attention, was getting him to budge and I felt defeated.
When it came time for our retreat to end I happened to sit at his table to say my thank you's and good bye's to some kids from my PSR class and as they left, the kid looked at me and with a big smile thanked me for putting on the retreat. Then, coming from the kid who seemed bored and not interested, let alone ever paid attention to anything we did, completely caught me off guard. He said and I paraphrase:
I really enjoyed the day and what you said in your talk about feeling lost on your path up the mountain. It made me think about the things I'm struggling with on my personal journey. Today really helped me. I'm glad I came.
It's funny how often we try to force things to happen "our" way and stress out about making things work out how we think they should, regardless of how things are going. We strive so hard to make things happen now and make them so great and overcomplicated, only to be humbly reminded that what is supposed to happen will indeed happen, maybe not how we would like it to or when we want to, but it will happen when it is supposed to.
Last spring I was struggling with my job, my relationship with my girlfriend and a thousand and one other things and I had my spiritual director give me the best advice I've ever received about how to live my life. He said:
"Only worry about the next three seconds...It's right in front of you and it's the only thing you can control or need to worry about. The rest will happen as it's meant to happen."
How many times in our lives do we get so worked up over what we're doing at work, at home, with friends, with our significant other, etc. and forget that all we can control is what we do right now, and here in the next few seconds, the rest is out of our control. Just imagine how much more we could do in our lives if we thought that way. How much simpler and more enjoyable our lives would be. Sometimes we need those simple reminders that we can't control everything, but if we let go and live for now we can move mountains and change lives, even our own. In my case it took being ignored by a tween who looked like Harry Potter. Point taken god, thanks!
Until next time...
3.01.2012
Truth should come with a hard hat and map
Life today is rough and I'm not talking about my personal life, but life in general.Present day life in 2012. There's a rough reality of everything from the economy to violence on our streets, violence in our schools, to frustrating political leaders, corrupt neighbors and everything in between.
Society seems to have an obsession with seeking out instant "miracle cures" to anxieties and everyday stressors. The common folk of today is in bed with the reality of not knowing what reality is. Teens seek to be adults before their bodies even begin to evolve into adult form yet adults are too scared to be adults, let alone be parents. While every night our news programs tease us, draw us in and hook us for a full hour with stories of sex, violence, crimes and political problems. No wonder we've evolved into the lackluster state of nothingness that is today's society.
I came across an excellent excerpt in a book that I am reading called Hardcore Zen that talks about seeking out Truth but more so reflects our society:
"The world is in deep shit right now. The only thing that can possibly save us from our own self-induced destruction is direct knowledge of the truth. I say that without any reservation at all. Mankind cannot survive unless the truth dawns - from within - in each and every one of us. No political solution, bellicose or peaceful, will ever save us. No law. No pact. No treaty. No war..."
Yet as we can all see the ever so changing landscape of our country and our society there seems to be talk of change, but nothing done or at least no unless there's another four years. As all this unfolds before our eyes like a prime time drama. Shrinks, counselors and bars are at record highs of customers in need of ways to find faith for a better day. Yet we have the Church on a decline. Faith ceases to exist in the lives of the vocal majority. The one place you can actually get a positive message, restore hope and love in your life and learn how to be the change, is no longer the focal point of our lives. Did you know that only about 31 percent of Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland attend Mass regularly, yet we all cry out for help and claim to hold on to faith in our own lives when it's convenient or we have hit rock bottom? When I began this blog I didn't set out to make it all holy and spiritual yet it just seems to have grown into that. I've never been out spoken of my faith, not even when I was a YM, those people scare me. I am not those people. I will never those people. Yet, the more I see our world the more I see the meaning of faith in our lives.
I don't need another 24 hour news program or a group of "qualified experts" to tell me that our society is falling into a black hole of self inflicted doubt and that our kids are struggling to be heard. Just the other day during a prayer activity with the Jr. High class I teach I came across a whole slew of cries for help. Two of which brought tears to my eyes. The first read "I'm scared that no one loves me" and the other was "I'm skaired about talking to other people I don't usilay talk to." Others read about fitting in, and a few were in regards to being bullied. So aside from the obvious failure of the American educational system and spelling/ grammar classes, it is quite clear that not just in the case of the teens, but in our society we are missing two key pieces: Love and Service. Which happen to be the cornerstone of our faith...Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, etc.
Brad Warner, the author of Hardcore Zen, later wrote in the chapter that "politicians can't solve the problem of how to find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight, let alone figure out anything else more complex..." I think it's so true in many ways, not just for elected officials, but for all of us who are lost in life and I believe that if it weren't for Christ's teachings I would not be able to figure out anything here on Earth. Instead I'd have my two hands and a flashlight (I'm a hiker so probably my headlamp) attempting to find me arse, or at least trying hard to remove my head from it. I'm sure many would agree...and if you're offended or sitting there disagreeing most likely your head is up there so keep looking, I've got a flashlight.
We attempt, day after day, to seek out Truth and our purpose yet the main worry we should have is living each day like it were our last. Always seeking our adventure and living with a loving heart to serve others. Imagine the difference we would make if everyone lived to love and serve others...the world would be a beautiful place. People will buy self help books, take classes, spend countless dollars on life changing gimmicks, yet we don't consider starting with a simple conversation with the one who loves us the most, God.
This isn't a religious blog nor will I always preach, but what I will always portray in my writing is to always seek adventure and live life and for me there is no better way to accomplish both than by living it the way I was shown, the way we've all been shown. It's been written about, discussed, debated, preached studied and has survived for thousands of years and there's got to be a reason why it's still around after 2,000+ years. Live life and live it with love and a want to serve others in everything you do and nothing will stop you from truth and happiness. Take that, and a mustard seed of faith, and nothing will be impossible for you, that's how we change the world.
Until next time...
Society seems to have an obsession with seeking out instant "miracle cures" to anxieties and everyday stressors. The common folk of today is in bed with the reality of not knowing what reality is. Teens seek to be adults before their bodies even begin to evolve into adult form yet adults are too scared to be adults, let alone be parents. While every night our news programs tease us, draw us in and hook us for a full hour with stories of sex, violence, crimes and political problems. No wonder we've evolved into the lackluster state of nothingness that is today's society.
I came across an excellent excerpt in a book that I am reading called Hardcore Zen that talks about seeking out Truth but more so reflects our society:
"The world is in deep shit right now. The only thing that can possibly save us from our own self-induced destruction is direct knowledge of the truth. I say that without any reservation at all. Mankind cannot survive unless the truth dawns - from within - in each and every one of us. No political solution, bellicose or peaceful, will ever save us. No law. No pact. No treaty. No war..."
Yet as we can all see the ever so changing landscape of our country and our society there seems to be talk of change, but nothing done or at least no unless there's another four years. As all this unfolds before our eyes like a prime time drama. Shrinks, counselors and bars are at record highs of customers in need of ways to find faith for a better day. Yet we have the Church on a decline. Faith ceases to exist in the lives of the vocal majority. The one place you can actually get a positive message, restore hope and love in your life and learn how to be the change, is no longer the focal point of our lives. Did you know that only about 31 percent of Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland attend Mass regularly, yet we all cry out for help and claim to hold on to faith in our own lives when it's convenient or we have hit rock bottom? When I began this blog I didn't set out to make it all holy and spiritual yet it just seems to have grown into that. I've never been out spoken of my faith, not even when I was a YM, those people scare me. I am not those people. I will never those people. Yet, the more I see our world the more I see the meaning of faith in our lives.
I don't need another 24 hour news program or a group of "qualified experts" to tell me that our society is falling into a black hole of self inflicted doubt and that our kids are struggling to be heard. Just the other day during a prayer activity with the Jr. High class I teach I came across a whole slew of cries for help. Two of which brought tears to my eyes. The first read "I'm scared that no one loves me" and the other was "I'm skaired about talking to other people I don't usilay talk to." Others read about fitting in, and a few were in regards to being bullied. So aside from the obvious failure of the American educational system and spelling/ grammar classes, it is quite clear that not just in the case of the teens, but in our society we are missing two key pieces: Love and Service. Which happen to be the cornerstone of our faith...Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, etc.
Brad Warner, the author of Hardcore Zen, later wrote in the chapter that "politicians can't solve the problem of how to find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight, let alone figure out anything else more complex..." I think it's so true in many ways, not just for elected officials, but for all of us who are lost in life and I believe that if it weren't for Christ's teachings I would not be able to figure out anything here on Earth. Instead I'd have my two hands and a flashlight (I'm a hiker so probably my headlamp) attempting to find me arse, or at least trying hard to remove my head from it. I'm sure many would agree...and if you're offended or sitting there disagreeing most likely your head is up there so keep looking, I've got a flashlight.
We attempt, day after day, to seek out Truth and our purpose yet the main worry we should have is living each day like it were our last. Always seeking our adventure and living with a loving heart to serve others. Imagine the difference we would make if everyone lived to love and serve others...the world would be a beautiful place. People will buy self help books, take classes, spend countless dollars on life changing gimmicks, yet we don't consider starting with a simple conversation with the one who loves us the most, God.
This isn't a religious blog nor will I always preach, but what I will always portray in my writing is to always seek adventure and live life and for me there is no better way to accomplish both than by living it the way I was shown, the way we've all been shown. It's been written about, discussed, debated, preached studied and has survived for thousands of years and there's got to be a reason why it's still around after 2,000+ years. Live life and live it with love and a want to serve others in everything you do and nothing will stop you from truth and happiness. Take that, and a mustard seed of faith, and nothing will be impossible for you, that's how we change the world.
Until next time...
2.20.2012
Pity party of one
There comes a time in your life when you are suddenly forced to stare down the barrel of a gun known as reality. It's like the portion of your hike where you are forced to follow a trail that you think should be the easiest, but becomes the most gut wrenching, grueling section. Where the end of the Alpine Zone meets the start of your final ascent towards the summit. You know, where the rocky terrain of no return begins. That time of your journey upwards where you can see the summit, it appears within your reach, but the finish line is nowhere in sight. Where at every bolder and every traverse comes loose rocks and blustery gusts of wind violently toss you around. The air is as frigidly cold as it is thin and lonely. That is where I am along this mountain I am currently on and it took me three days in the place I love most, several short comings and a hopeless bottle of emotions to bring it all to light.
For the first time in my life I could not wait to leave Columbus. If I could have, I would have left before it even began. I was actually happy to leave. Enter stage right, pity party #6. During the past few months, since returning home from the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, I have been Mr. Positivity, only experiencing enough Pity Parties that could be counted on one hand. I've remained positive, vigilant and faithful along this journey up until the last few days.
It didn't hit me until talking to my spiritual director that we are often faced with these black out days of doubt just to remind us we are human, just to thank God for being with us along the way. I was not taken back when I heard my spiritual director tell me that he has "been waiting for me to come down from all my positivity." It was then that I was again reminded that it is not my Will that shall be done, but for someone much more righteous than I.
One of my favorite musicians, Matisyahu, puts it best "Sometimes in my tears I drown, but I never let it get me down, so when negativity surrounds,I know some day it'll all turn around, because all my life I've been waiting for, I've been praying for..." It took recently downloading this song, a trip chalk full of mislead expectations and personal wants, and a phone call to my spiritual director to be reminded that it is not my way that will make me happy, but His. Not to mention a perfect reminder from one of this weekend's readings. It comes from Isiah:
Thus says the LORD: Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. The people I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel. You burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.
It's funny that as I imagine myself a candle trying to stay lit among a hurricane of questions, temptations and fantasies of how life is "supposed to be" God just takes a 2x4 and just whacks me in the face to remind me of His words that he will help me, guide me and give forgiveness along the way. A humble reminder as I prepare for the coming Lenten season. A season where we are called to give alms (serve others), pray (talk to the Lord) and fast (sacrifice).
That as I begin another pity party for myself I see that there is no better time to continue on this path towards the mountain's top than now. There is no better way to seek out the remainder of this grueling trek through uncharted territory than to give to Him through alms giving, prayer (only He knows how much of that has been going on and how many expletives have been shared) and fasting. It's only wrong for me to think that I can do it my way and only by myself.
Just as Matisyahu puts it in his song 'Silence' "...Although His silence kills me...I wouldn't have it any other way..." and right now I wouldn't have it any other way.
Until next time...
For the first time in my life I could not wait to leave Columbus. If I could have, I would have left before it even began. I was actually happy to leave. Enter stage right, pity party #6. During the past few months, since returning home from the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, I have been Mr. Positivity, only experiencing enough Pity Parties that could be counted on one hand. I've remained positive, vigilant and faithful along this journey up until the last few days.
It didn't hit me until talking to my spiritual director that we are often faced with these black out days of doubt just to remind us we are human, just to thank God for being with us along the way. I was not taken back when I heard my spiritual director tell me that he has "been waiting for me to come down from all my positivity." It was then that I was again reminded that it is not my Will that shall be done, but for someone much more righteous than I.
One of my favorite musicians, Matisyahu, puts it best "Sometimes in my tears I drown, but I never let it get me down, so when negativity surrounds,I know some day it'll all turn around, because all my life I've been waiting for, I've been praying for..." It took recently downloading this song, a trip chalk full of mislead expectations and personal wants, and a phone call to my spiritual director to be reminded that it is not my way that will make me happy, but His. Not to mention a perfect reminder from one of this weekend's readings. It comes from Isiah:
Thus says the LORD: Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. The people I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel. You burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.
It's funny that as I imagine myself a candle trying to stay lit among a hurricane of questions, temptations and fantasies of how life is "supposed to be" God just takes a 2x4 and just whacks me in the face to remind me of His words that he will help me, guide me and give forgiveness along the way. A humble reminder as I prepare for the coming Lenten season. A season where we are called to give alms (serve others), pray (talk to the Lord) and fast (sacrifice).
That as I begin another pity party for myself I see that there is no better time to continue on this path towards the mountain's top than now. There is no better way to seek out the remainder of this grueling trek through uncharted territory than to give to Him through alms giving, prayer (only He knows how much of that has been going on and how many expletives have been shared) and fasting. It's only wrong for me to think that I can do it my way and only by myself.
Just as Matisyahu puts it in his song 'Silence' "...Although His silence kills me...I wouldn't have it any other way..." and right now I wouldn't have it any other way.
Until next time...
2.05.2012
The rebirth of masculinity
Man: (1): an individual human; adult male human (2): husband (3): lover hominid: one possessing in high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood: the quality or state of being manly: manliness.
I am not a man. I am not a man's man. Nor am I manly, but I sure as hell try my hardest. I am not the ultimate man, an alpha male or anything but a guy on a quest to follow in the footsteps of many men who have come before me in pursuit of seeking out how to be a man, the best man I can be.
This week has been a wonderful opportunity in the pursuit of becoming the man I want to be. It involved manly workouts, an interview for a cool job, a talk from Fr. Larry Richards about surrendering/ being a man and a "mans weekend" with my Dad and other guys whose wives are all out of town on a girls weekend. All in all this week got me thinking. What has happened to men and masculinity? Mostly my generation
I watched another Super Bowl where the commercials portrayed men as weak, uncivilized, inferior, playing second fiddle to women and dumber than a Hollywood A-lister talking politics and family values. Yet it seems like we, as males, except this and enjoy this depiction...why?
We live in a day in age where a man no longer is the protector and provider in the family. Where a man must be tamed, equal and exhibit femininity to be "acceptable" by social standards. We live in a society that deems a man of faith as a religious zealot - instead of disciple, a man who explores the deepest depths of the world's precious beauty as a social outcast - instead of explore and a man who is destined to make a difference in the world as a renegade inspired by becoming the alpha male - instead of a revolutionary.
PSA: I am a gentleman. I have no qualms with women and believe men and women alike are equal. I respect women and believe they've earned the right to have the equality they have gotten through a tough fight...I digress.
Fr. Larry Richards brought up a good point in his talk Thursday: It wasn't Eve's fault for giving into temptation in the garden, it was Adam for he failed to protect Eve, jump in front of her and defend her. It's been a gradual decline ever since. Men, of my generation, no longer have a voice. A spirit. A sense of adventure. A need for more. A drive to grab life's challenges by the throat and toss them aside. A desire to be the hero. A backbone to take a stand and bring back faith as their foundation of their lives. To suck up their ego and attempt to emulate Christ in every way. To live a principled, morally driven life. The days of old are long gone. Men like Washington, Jefferson, Thoreau, MLK, Wayne, Sinatra, Reagan are mere images of masculinity's past. Men who laid the foundation for true manliness.
Just the other day I set out on a hike. I had all afternoon and a short hike ended up being nearly 11 miles just to introduce some sort of adventure into these early days of February. I just kept going. Turn after turn, ascent after descent I kept making my way deeper into the quiet world of nature. It was glorious. And as I mentioned from the start I am not a man, nor am I a "man's man," but I came to a creek I had to cross. I was unable to follow the trail across as it was too deep, between knee level to more than four feet, and too cold to attempt. I searched for a way across and decided the only way to get across, dry, was to improvise a bridge. For 30 or 40 minutes I collected long branches, heavy logs and anything I could to create a sturdy structure. I was muddy, sweaty and wet but with my knack of adventure and my drive to not back down from a challenge I got over just as many explorers did many times before.
My point is not that I was handed a "man card" and officially welcomed into manhood, but that it's time we put down the Xbox controllers, turn off our flat screen TVs, unplug our laptops, silence our Blackberrys and put aside our egos. Let's kick it old school and bring back the true meaning of being men. Let's explore the world, seek out answers, become the protector and provider for our family. It's time that we become men: physically, mentally, intellectually and most importantly spiritually.
For if you show me a man who is founded by faith, driven by adventure, living through love and seeking out the most out of life, you'll be shown a guy worthy of being called a man.
I am not a man. I am not a man's man. Nor am I manly, but I sure as hell try my hardest. I am not the ultimate man, an alpha male or anything but a guy on a quest to follow in the footsteps of many men who have come before me in pursuit of seeking out how to be a man, the best man I can be.
This week has been a wonderful opportunity in the pursuit of becoming the man I want to be. It involved manly workouts, an interview for a cool job, a talk from Fr. Larry Richards about surrendering/ being a man and a "mans weekend" with my Dad and other guys whose wives are all out of town on a girls weekend. All in all this week got me thinking. What has happened to men and masculinity? Mostly my generation
I watched another Super Bowl where the commercials portrayed men as weak, uncivilized, inferior, playing second fiddle to women and dumber than a Hollywood A-lister talking politics and family values. Yet it seems like we, as males, except this and enjoy this depiction...why?
We live in a day in age where a man no longer is the protector and provider in the family. Where a man must be tamed, equal and exhibit femininity to be "acceptable" by social standards. We live in a society that deems a man of faith as a religious zealot - instead of disciple, a man who explores the deepest depths of the world's precious beauty as a social outcast - instead of explore and a man who is destined to make a difference in the world as a renegade inspired by becoming the alpha male - instead of a revolutionary.
PSA: I am a gentleman. I have no qualms with women and believe men and women alike are equal. I respect women and believe they've earned the right to have the equality they have gotten through a tough fight...I digress.
Fr. Larry Richards brought up a good point in his talk Thursday: It wasn't Eve's fault for giving into temptation in the garden, it was Adam for he failed to protect Eve, jump in front of her and defend her. It's been a gradual decline ever since. Men, of my generation, no longer have a voice. A spirit. A sense of adventure. A need for more. A drive to grab life's challenges by the throat and toss them aside. A desire to be the hero. A backbone to take a stand and bring back faith as their foundation of their lives. To suck up their ego and attempt to emulate Christ in every way. To live a principled, morally driven life. The days of old are long gone. Men like Washington, Jefferson, Thoreau, MLK, Wayne, Sinatra, Reagan are mere images of masculinity's past. Men who laid the foundation for true manliness.
Just the other day I set out on a hike. I had all afternoon and a short hike ended up being nearly 11 miles just to introduce some sort of adventure into these early days of February. I just kept going. Turn after turn, ascent after descent I kept making my way deeper into the quiet world of nature. It was glorious. And as I mentioned from the start I am not a man, nor am I a "man's man," but I came to a creek I had to cross. I was unable to follow the trail across as it was too deep, between knee level to more than four feet, and too cold to attempt. I searched for a way across and decided the only way to get across, dry, was to improvise a bridge. For 30 or 40 minutes I collected long branches, heavy logs and anything I could to create a sturdy structure. I was muddy, sweaty and wet but with my knack of adventure and my drive to not back down from a challenge I got over just as many explorers did many times before.
My point is not that I was handed a "man card" and officially welcomed into manhood, but that it's time we put down the Xbox controllers, turn off our flat screen TVs, unplug our laptops, silence our Blackberrys and put aside our egos. Let's kick it old school and bring back the true meaning of being men. Let's explore the world, seek out answers, become the protector and provider for our family. It's time that we become men: physically, mentally, intellectually and most importantly spiritually.
For if you show me a man who is founded by faith, driven by adventure, living through love and seeking out the most out of life, you'll be shown a guy worthy of being called a man.
2.04.2012
Cold reminders of reality
We've all heard the phrase "you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone." I never really thought about it until this week. Sure I've had break ups where I was done and out, I've visited a place I've always wanted to see and missed it the second the plane took off homeward bound and the occasional friend who lives nearby and then moves away. But it wasn't until this week that I truly thought about what that means that I "don't appreciate what I have until it's gone."
For the past three days now I have planned to wake up early and hike. For it is when I hike that I truly feel disengaged with the craziness that is my life, a life filled with thousands of unanswered questions, doubt of my future and frustrations of the present. Yet, every time I wake up, I am quickly greeted with disappointment and cold reminders of reality.
Just yesterday, for example, I woke up at six in the morning ready to set out on an all day excursion only to find last minute that I was scheduled to be work in just a handful of hours. The best day all winter to go out. Same happened today as I woke to the 10 percent chance of snow, slated for the later hours of the day, that happened to come early for an unpleasant and unwelcome morning wake up. 0-3 sucks in life and even in baseball.
My point is that for the past four days I have been salivating over the fact that the weather called for mid 40s and sunshine, which is not normal for northeast Ohio, only to be disappointed. My other point is that Dick Goddard is past his prime and gets paid to lie...just retire man. I'm pretty sure the man is being kept alive and running on air by puppet strings and voice overs.
As I have been grateful for the weather and looking forward to the spring-like opportunity to hike in January and February I have come to realize I should not be bummed that I've been kept hiking for whatever reason, but should be thankful for the gift of the opportunity to even be considering such a delightful wintry getaway.
How many times doe we get upset or angry over something without even considering the fact that we should be grateful it's even an opportunity for us to be considering...unfortunately we don't always think this way. All I know is I am no longer bummed about my failed attempts to hike and looking forward to the next opportunity. For example tomorrow...because in life there is always tomorrow.
Until next time...
For the past three days now I have planned to wake up early and hike. For it is when I hike that I truly feel disengaged with the craziness that is my life, a life filled with thousands of unanswered questions, doubt of my future and frustrations of the present. Yet, every time I wake up, I am quickly greeted with disappointment and cold reminders of reality.
Just yesterday, for example, I woke up at six in the morning ready to set out on an all day excursion only to find last minute that I was scheduled to be work in just a handful of hours. The best day all winter to go out. Same happened today as I woke to the 10 percent chance of snow, slated for the later hours of the day, that happened to come early for an unpleasant and unwelcome morning wake up. 0-3 sucks in life and even in baseball.
My point is that for the past four days I have been salivating over the fact that the weather called for mid 40s and sunshine, which is not normal for northeast Ohio, only to be disappointed. My other point is that Dick Goddard is past his prime and gets paid to lie...just retire man. I'm pretty sure the man is being kept alive and running on air by puppet strings and voice overs.
As I have been grateful for the weather and looking forward to the spring-like opportunity to hike in January and February I have come to realize I should not be bummed that I've been kept hiking for whatever reason, but should be thankful for the gift of the opportunity to even be considering such a delightful wintry getaway.
How many times doe we get upset or angry over something without even considering the fact that we should be grateful it's even an opportunity for us to be considering...unfortunately we don't always think this way. All I know is I am no longer bummed about my failed attempts to hike and looking forward to the next opportunity. For example tomorrow...because in life there is always tomorrow.
Until next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)