Grateful for Tears with the Christmas Bunny
Photo by Albert Cook.
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry, says a voice in our heads, the recording that plays through our mind that implores us not to cry when we feel a swell of emotion, be it sadness or joy. We have been conditioned that showing these emotions is not good somehow, perhaps a sign of weakness.
Men Moving beyond the Old Models
by Owen Marcus
Growing up, men are usually trained by women on how to be emotional – women filled in for the male role models who weren’t around. Now that we are grown, it’s time we learn how to be emotional in a masculine way. I recently wrote a post for the elephant journal called, Men—Stop Going to Women for All of your Emotional Support.
In Stand by Your Man for Role/Reboot I write about how women can not only help the men they love, but also help themselves. Here’s how:
The Other Stocking – G.K. Chesterton
Sage Chapel - Cornell University
EDITORS NOTE from Boysen Hodgson: I heard the following story told at a Christmas Eve service in Sage Chapel on the campus of Cornell University, December 24, 2011. It was the first time my wife and I had ever attended a Christmas Eve service, and we went because my sister in law was a soloist in the choir (and she sang beautifully). The service was offered by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Ithaca, NY. Over 600 people in a beautiful mid 19th century chapel for a night of carols and an uplifting message of unity, connection and peace. As a man with no religious beliefs, but a deep love of stories, metaphors and myths, this was the perfect night – a beautiful way of spending an evening with family. The Minister offered a short homily which included the story below.
Being Seen – An Essential Ingredient In The Recipe Of Love
A man who’s been in relationship for awhile happened to say, “She [his partner] really sees me.” After he shared that, another man in the group asked, “What does it mean to you guys to ‘be seen’?”
What ensued was a close to 45-minute conversation about what “being seen” meant to various men in the group. It was a moving, inspiring, and critical conversation.
Take back your attention
Here is an excellent article by Tony Schwartz, CEO of The Energy Project, at Fast Company, entitled Take Back Your Attention. His main thesis, one that my readers know I subscribe to as well, is that the computer, with email, FaceBook, Google, and a plethora of other fun toys and semi-useful activities, can be a distraction in addition to being a powerful tool. Here are some of the money quotes:
What They See Is What They Think
When a customer enters your place of business, everything they see or don’t see sends a message.
A lot has been written about Steve Jobs’ focus on design and simplicity since his death. Jobs intuitively understood the power of design to send a message and evoke a feeling.
This stands in sharp contrast to my experience this morning.
Two months ago, I took my son, Alexander, on a walk. It was beautiful fall morning here in New England. Many of the trees are starting to explode in brilliant bursts of color.
Documentary Film-maker Frederick Marx interviewed on ABC Radio Australia
Warrior Films is Frederick's production company.
Frederick shares some great insights about the the work of the ManKind Project in helping men find the skills to live more successful and fulfilling lives – and the connection that our work in the ManKind Project has to mentoring young men through ‘rites of passage’ to become strong role models and good men.
Glenn Barker – MKP Chicago on Public Perspective TV
From Glenn Barker MKP Chicago Center Director
A Journey into Leadership
I was invited for an interview as Executive Director of ManKind Project Chicago recently on the show “Public Perspective” with Kevin McDermott. The show hits 57 area cities on Comcast Cable and will be broadcast twice in January 2012. My first time on camera, no edits, 30 min, straight to tape, no script, and a great story to tell.
Glenn Barker, MKP Chicago
Justin Hunt; ABSENT, a new documentary about Fatherhood
by Boysen Hodgson
Absent
Target; this movie, as Justin Hunt says, is targeted to men. And often it is women who ‘get’ the film.
Energy embodied; informational, emotional, invitational
Empowering intent; To present a simple thesis … ‘the father is the first human being in a child’s life who either chooses them, or not …’ and the choice, intended or unintended, has consequences.
Primary archetypes; the lover, the king
Commitment; 1.5 hours
To start this review, take a look at the trailer for Justin Hunt’s newest film, ABSENT, about the role of men as fathers and father figure in modern culture and the impact that the absence, literal and figurative, of strong male role models for young people is having.
Justin has already built a reputation from his previous major documentary release, American Meth (see preview), which took an incredibly hard hitting look at the impact of the methamphetamine epidemic in the United States.
CLOAKED IN THE MANTLE OF INITIATION
CLOAKED IN THE MANTLE OF INITIATION
Leaving it Better – MKP San Diego
ManKind Project San Diego
A common saying during any ManKind Project event is “Let’s leave it better than we found it.” This applies not only to the sites across the world that we rent for our trainings, but also the relationships between MKP men and the communities and people we meet. Often there will be 60-70 men on hand for a ManKind Project training event, and their impact will be noticed by local store clerks and restaurant owners, who often comment on the camaraderie shared by our motley crews.
Matthew Sloane; Tulie’s Garden ~ a book review
by Boysen Hodgson
Tulie's Garden
“Tulie’s Garden; the place where I abandon and reclaim who I am”, written and illustrated by Matthew Alexander Sloane. Available at the author’s web site.Click Here to purchase the book.
Target; this is an ideal book to give to a young man in your life … it is a deeply personal book … and it is an access point to a nearly universal set of themes and memes that men experience.
Are You Willing To Be An Idiot For Love?
What’s your biggest fear, other than harm coming to someone you love? Is it being out of money? Is it being alone or unloved? Is it that people will find you you secretly read Mad Magazine in the john when no one’s looking? Failing?
Babies and children
Little babies and young children make the best mentors!
Seasons change. Sons mentor fathers, grandfathers learn amazing things from
Their grandsons! Uncles learn from their nephews and nieces
The whole world of living is turned upside down
Babies and young children — these are the heart changers. They wash the hearts
Of their parents and grandparents. Babies and children make the best mentors
They cleanse our hearts with the purity of their Love
ROBED IN SILENCE
ROBED IN SILENCE, STAND IN STILLNESS
REST WITHIN YOUR QUEST
GROW IN THE RICH SOIL OF SACRED EMPTINESS
BE HOLLOW BONE FOR SOUL TO FLOW
EMPTIED OF SELF – SURRENDER TO GRACE
A LIVING ALTAR OF THE HOLY ONE
ALLOW CREATOR TO REST ON YOUR SOUL FLESH
YOUR HEART ABLAZE – FIRED BY YOUR HARD WON CERTAINTY
REST – KNOWING YOU ARE BLESSED!
STEP NOW THROUGH THAT OPEN THRESHOLD DOOR
CROSS OVER, FIND UNION EVER MORE
Healing Vets – the Welcome Home Project – 2011update
by Boysen Hodgson
In February of 2010, I met Bill McMillan in CA when he won the Ron Hering Mission of service award for his work with his wife, Kim Shelton, on a documentary film called “The Welcome Home Project” featuring Michael Meade and 23 combat veterans and those close to them.
Read the original article by Bill McMillan here: http://mankindprojectjournal.org/search/welcome+home
The Welcome Home Project is still going! Screenings are being hosted across the US and overseas for small groups and large groups, in churches and in living rooms.
There Are Victims in the Penn State Tragedy, Not "Accusers"
by Dr. Jackson Katz
At least one positive development has emerged from the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. In news and commentary about that tragic case, the victims are actually being referred to as “victims.” While it’s easy to find references to “Jerry Sandusky’s accusers,” it is perhaps equally as likely to read and hear about “Sandusky’s victims.”
What is Your Brand Against?
by Dave Kaisar
Scott Goodson wrote a great article at Harvard Business Review entitled “What is Your Brand Against.” Great question, since that also helps you to clarify your values and priorities. Here is what my brand is against:
1. Conformity and “fitting in”
2. Trading your soul for “secure job” (it’s a false trade these days, anyway)
3. Letting your email inbox dictate your work for the day
4. Low standards and dreaming small
Who Are You, Anyway?
One of the most common complaints or issues that people share with me that they are struggling with is along the lines of “I don’t know what I want to do with my life,” followed closely by “I have no idea what my purpose is, and I feel like I’m just drifting through my life.” The economic times seem to be adding to the distress of that kind of question. People who are getting clear that they are not living a life that is congruent with who they really are often describe feeling trapped, particularly in their careers (and often in unhappy relationships where financial stability is seemingly at stake).
Under-promise & Over-deliver
by Alain Hunkins
Talk about a winning combination for customer satisfaction.
Let’s face it, were all in the managing expectations business.
It doesn’t matter how good your work is if someone expects more.
It’s not good enough.
It doesn’t matter how fast you can crank it out, if your client wanted it sooner.
It wasn’t fast enough.
The key is to manage client expectations; but not on the back-end.
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The ManKind Project® is an international nonprofit education and training organization making the world safer by growing 'better' men. We support over 1000 men's groups in 10 countries around the world. Our flagship training is the New Warrior Training Adventure. Over 45,000 men have stepped out of their comfort zones to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Please support the work of the ManKind Project with a Tax Deductible Contribution.
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