This subject runs very deep with me. As a gay man, you can imagine what I've been told since a very young age about my masculinity. I carried those ideas into my adulthood and never felt "man enough". It took a counselor to teach me that often our greatest gifts to the world lie at the core of our deepest wounds. Now in my 60s, I feel that I am more of a man than I ever have been because I have embraced the strength found in my softness. I wish my younger self could have known such power! Thank you for writing on such an important subject.
Yes!!!! To both of these sentences....me also..."It took a counselor to teach me that often our greatest gifts to the world lie at the core of our deepest wounds. Now in my 60s, I feel that I am more of a man than I ever have been because I have embraced the strength found in my softness." I am so grateful to have had a caring, empathic well/trained psychologist to help me understand that kindness, gentleness, and sensitivity are okay and are hallmarks of a true man. And yes, ah me as well, if my younger self could see me now! Thanks, Chris. I hope we are able to meet one day in our travels.
Thank you. You have articulated perfectly everything I have ever thought about on this topic. I roll my metaphorical eyes everytime anyone attempts to redefine masculinity (or feminity for that matter). The problem is that the act of defining itself is too limiting, despite your best of intentions.
This subject runs very deep with me. As a gay man, you can imagine what I've been told since a very young age about my masculinity. I carried those ideas into my adulthood and never felt "man enough". It took a counselor to teach me that often our greatest gifts to the world lie at the core of our deepest wounds. Now in my 60s, I feel that I am more of a man than I ever have been because I have embraced the strength found in my softness. I wish my younger self could have known such power! Thank you for writing on such an important subject.
Yes!!!! To both of these sentences....me also..."It took a counselor to teach me that often our greatest gifts to the world lie at the core of our deepest wounds. Now in my 60s, I feel that I am more of a man than I ever have been because I have embraced the strength found in my softness." I am so grateful to have had a caring, empathic well/trained psychologist to help me understand that kindness, gentleness, and sensitivity are okay and are hallmarks of a true man. And yes, ah me as well, if my younger self could see me now! Thanks, Chris. I hope we are able to meet one day in our travels.
That would be wonderful!
“I can tell you that everything they tried to cut out of me was the best of me.” This.
Thanks, Rebekah. Yes, we are fellow former travelers of dubious roads.
“If I end this by telling you what I think a real man is, I have only handed you a kinder, gentler weapon.” 👏👏👏
Thanks.
Thank you. You have articulated perfectly everything I have ever thought about on this topic. I roll my metaphorical eyes everytime anyone attempts to redefine masculinity (or feminity for that matter). The problem is that the act of defining itself is too limiting, despite your best of intentions.
That means a lot. Yes, the older I get, the more I have come to love questions rather than certainty.