This is a subject that will probably take up several posts;

I think, especially in today’s society of uber-fitness, high expectations, and idealized standards, the perception of a strong man is to basically be an alpha male, always flexing, retaining massive amounts of physical prowess, and merciless to any who seem a possible threat.

Real men use their strength to protect, never to antagonize or attack. There are times when a real man may be called to fight, but only when he must to protect himself, others, or his truest beliefs. There is nothing a man needs to prove by a display of skill or strength, for he is worthy unto himself. The opinions of others do not rattle him, and he is in control of his ego, not the other way around.

A real man’s strength lies in his will. Strong willpower will easily conquer where the weak-willed will fail, regardless of physical capability. The man who believes he cannot win has already lost. Mentality is very important- the man who constantly is unsatisfied and critical of others will invariably tear himself down in the same fashion. Even in defeat or setback, a man with healthy determination and the will to take action will have no qualms or regrets because he knows that he has given his all, and if he can improve, will take the means to do so. In this way, real men cannot fail, for they consider failure as either inspiration to improve, or an opportunity to explore a whole new venue.

For those who fear their personal prowess and their capability to misuse it; trust in yourself that you will know when to apply it and just how much to apply. There should be no fear of causing critical or lasting damage because of a highly developed sense of morality and desire to do well by others. In addition, those who hold back for fearing of causing damage will inevitably fulfill their own dreaded prophecy, and the reserved man will see himself and those around him suffer due to his negligence to use his strength when needed. There is nothing wrong or immoral about self-defense of one’s physical and emotional well-being.

It seems to me that everywhere I turn, people have different opinions on what makes a man manly. The most common thing that people give advice to being a man is to have confidence. That’s all well and good, but how does one gain confidence?

Humans are doers. When a person pursues their passions, their best self is automatically brought out. They are in their natural state, fulfilling their purpose in life. They gain confidence because they know they are being truest to themselves and their skill in their field progressively gets better.

The problem is that so many people feel like they are trapped in a rut, or somehow undeserving of pursuing their passions.

So let me ask you personally, as I am asking myself; what is your passion? What is it you love to do? What inspires you to be your best and to continue growing in that direction?

Be careful of attributing a hobby as your passion. Hobbies are temporary fixes, entertainment. Passions are harder to engage in, because they will take the majority of your time and energy, but are much more satisfying for the self.

Many people go through life without finding a passion. Engaging in many different activities can help people narrow the field. If something seems to catch your attention, follow that road for a while. You can always try something else later; it’s not set in stone. If you’re really stuck, try something that has a direct benefit for others, where you can see your work pay off.

Finding a passion is difficult, but once you find one, the difficult part comes in pursuing it.

For those of you who know what your passion is and aren’t pursuing it, what is honestly holding you back? Is it for fear of the unknown? Is it some excuse so you can just get by in life? Is it fear of failure?

Don’t get me wrong; following a passion is hard work, and people talk themselves out of it every day. But you get out of life what you put into it. So is it really all that surprising that when you choose to remain passive, nothing much really happens to you?

Mankind didn’t land on the moon because some people drummed something up in their spare time. It took hard work and dedication.

Take a risk. Get out of your comfort zone. Yes, you might fail a few times, maybe many times. You might fall flat on your face, but each failure can be utilized to forge you into a stronger, better person. And people are drawn to those who follow their passions and make them a reality.

“I would rather be ashes than dust.” -Jack London.

The difference between cowardice, foolhardiness, and courage:

Cowardice is backing down from every kind of conflict, especially when your beliefs or those you care about are at stake. Men who are cowards run away from fear. They employ every manner of deception and trickery for their own preservation.

Foolhardiness is over-compensation; meeting every challenge regardless of logical sense or degree of importance. It is another form of cowardice, masquerading as bravado. A foolhardy man doesn’t acknowledge the fear because he is afraid of confronting it. No resolution is possible for the foolhardy if it does not leave him completely and unquestionably in power.

Courage is a balance between the two. A courageous man acknowledges fear, and perseveres in spite of it. The courageous man is also aware of his limits, and does not abandon all logic and sense, two of his most powerful tools, when faced with confrontation. The courageous man will always stick to his core beliefs and what he holds to be true. He acts, in amounts no more or less than is required, to preserve said values.

what I want to do with my Tumblr!

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but I’m not sure what it means to be a man. Sure, I’m a man by definition, but I want to be a man of men. I want to explore and eventually embody the qualities that make great men, the kind that I keep hearing are extinct in today’s society.

I would like to use this Tumblr account to chronicle my journey, and hopefully in doing so, provide a source from other young men to draw from. Who knows? The lessons I learn and share will most likely be applicable to just about anyone. My intent is to improve my life and the lives of those around me, to learn, inspire, and educate through use of quotes, examples, and philosophical quandaries.

That leads me to post #1, inspired by multiple quotes. It may sound like a step backward for someone attempting to change themselves, but I feel that that makes it a fitting first step. And that is to learn to accept ourselves and our nature, for good or bad, and stop trying to contort ourselves to fit an image that others create.

“A real man is true to himself above all others. He does not seek the approval of others, but earns it through his actions. He knows the folly of presenting a false image. His ability to embrace and trust himself leads others to accept and trust him.”

Feel free to follow along. Here I go.

helvetii:

Watch this whole GIF

I know it was a while ago, but it doesn’t seem like THAT long!

sabelmouse:

Pete Holmes - Google (Not Knowing) (by peteholmes)

This is probably the best fus ro dah parody I’ve seen.