This morning, I woke up and there was a woman in bed with me. It was my wife.
It is a story that plays out every morning, all around the world. Sadly though, many of those individuals are waking up to someone who’s name they don’t remember, or who’s personhood they don’t really care about.
How did we get here?
When did women become trophies or accomplishments?
When did we start lying to convincing ourselves that this doesn’t hurt us or affect our future?
We have allowed ourselves to be hollowed out. The messaging in our culture and media is so intense and so fast that we have begun to believe the lie. On our radios during the day and in our livings rooms in the evening, we are constantly told that the way to true manhood is to rack up a body count beyond compare. That is insane.
Our brains are sending us sincere signals. We long for companionship. We long to be loved. We long for community. We just need a meaningful way to respond to those signals.
Here is how we combat this mis-messaging.
1. Turn it off.
The music we listen to and the TV shows we watch communicate messages to us. If it isn’t building you up, it is tearing you down. Change to talk radio or something more family friendly. Don’t watch shows that use sex for ratings. I’m not saying you have to watch the History Channel all day, but you need to recognize how television shows and movies influence you and your attitudes.
2. Rediscover your personal worth.
As a human person, made in God’s image and likeness, as a man, you have a unique identity. You have complete control over your activities, how you invest your time, and your body. Do things that make you better. Don’t buy yourself shiny new toys. Invest in a workout program, read a good book, eat breakfast at sunrise on your porch. Engage in sensory activities that you haven’t experienced in a while (like walking barefoot through a field) and enjoy the experience for what it is.
3. Reflect your self-respect outwardly.
With every person that you come into contact with, radiate respect. Be a gentleman. Conduct yourself with professionalism. Don’t be as stiff as a freshly starched shirt, but don’t treat women like a slab of meat.
There are activities that build you up and there are activities that bring you down. Spend more time on the uplifting ones and man up.
