Man UP?

One thing my students will tell you what they know about Higdem is that he is not afraid to cry in front of his kids. I think in today's world, we are barraged with fear tactics, with so much anger, and so many young men forced to become "MEN" too soon and are TOLD what that definition should be, not letting them form their own opinion. I hate that young men are forced to be MEN and what that odd mentality actually means and is forcibly defined as. Men, in today's society, are forced into a SQUARE and are told...No emotion. No sign of weakness. Strength only and must become a strong leader. And that all of the opposites of these predecessors equals weakness and is assigned a strong connection with feminine qualities. WHY IS THAT ACCEPTED?

Young men today should take a strong page out of this saying above. And it is TRUTH. Some of the strongest male role models I have had in my life have cried in front of me, have had the willingness to allow themselves to reach out for help and it doesn't add up to WEAKNESS in my heart and my mind. It only makes them more endearing and loved and accessible. Every moment has lead to hugs only and not shuns.

We are seeing such a shift in the American mentality...or at least I think we are. We are seeing a President begin to cry a bit when speaking about the children shot in school shootings. We are seeing a woman break the glass ceiling to claim her right at the top job in this country. We are seeing a shift towards equality for all gender opportunities and it is extremely exciting. There are folks out there who would disagree and are purely going at this from their political party lines...but  I encourage them to just step back from their political ire and look at where we have come in the last 10 years. We are seeing such an exciting shift towards equality, towards the opportunity to "break down the doors" and everyone is now being provided the opportunity to own every minute and possibility ahead. It doesn't matter if you are male or female, black or white, gay or straight...it is coming from an aspect that we are all the same, by blood, by the fact that we are a strong member of this human race.

So I say stop encouraging men to "MAN UP" and just live their true calling. Follow their HEART. Follow their passion. And for God sake, if you feel moved to do so, a good cry can take the pressure off your heart when you hold it all in.

Carry on fellow sojourners...