I think you're doing fine, based on what little I know about you from your blog here. You had the sense to get out of the toxic system called the U.S. You value the teachings of nature and the people and elders who've spent their lives in deep connection to it. You have a sense that community is valuable and are seeking to find ways to create and develop it, as shaky as that can get at times. I can count on one hand the number of guys I know in the U.S. who are actually working towards something like this, or who would even understand its value. Most are yes-men to the established order and never ever ask any difficult questions because they are too afraid to step outside of that order, even while adopting a tough shell while considering themselves hardcore in some way to offset their deep insecurities. Quite frankly it takes some real bravery to do what you've done, what you are doing, and just because there's no one to reflect that back to you doesn't make it any less of a reality.
*Tranquilo*, as they say here in the southern continent of the Americas. Loosely translated.... *don't worry, it's fine.*
A few of my favorite lines here that point the way
"If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools..."
The system has left very little room for men to be men. It has been whittled away for decades, centuries, just as its drive for humanity to stop being human is one of its goals. I'd be interested in furthering the conversation on this. Maybe this is about as much as I know, for tonight anyways. If I come to Vietnam next year, maybe we'll get the chance to meet in person.
Muchas Gracias!! Wow. This was real medicine for me, a soothing balm. I had never heard that Rudyard Kipling poem before. It was potent, just as are the words you shared. It is true as you say, "The system has left very little room for men to be men." I dare say we no longer even know what it means to be a man. Sometimes I catch glimpses of it. I have a small handful of excellent male mentors, I also feel the sweet breath of my ancestors from time to time. But overall, there are few to look up to in this time. And it's not so easy to make real friends either. I've been to a few "mens gatherings", but they tend to get too new agey, or bro-ish too. Good intentions generally, but eventually capitalism eats everything. It will take time. Lifetimes. But there are good men in this world. To be sure. I think you are one of them:) You will surely find a place of honor at our table if life ever finds you on this side of the Big Pond, hermano. (By the way, we live in Thailand;) --All Blessings. And yes, let's most certainly keep this conversation going. I'm in for the long haul. Suerte!
Hu-man you and we are. What a wonder to bow to our limits. Thank you- Seems all of us need some right-sizing and to get over the idea of being good and good at everything.
Thank you for this, Cynthia. It’s a fine balance between acknowledging that we both do too much and not nearly enough. But it seems mostly, we all need rest… I bow to you dear sister, in gratitude:)
I think you're doing fine, based on what little I know about you from your blog here. You had the sense to get out of the toxic system called the U.S. You value the teachings of nature and the people and elders who've spent their lives in deep connection to it. You have a sense that community is valuable and are seeking to find ways to create and develop it, as shaky as that can get at times. I can count on one hand the number of guys I know in the U.S. who are actually working towards something like this, or who would even understand its value. Most are yes-men to the established order and never ever ask any difficult questions because they are too afraid to step outside of that order, even while adopting a tough shell while considering themselves hardcore in some way to offset their deep insecurities. Quite frankly it takes some real bravery to do what you've done, what you are doing, and just because there's no one to reflect that back to you doesn't make it any less of a reality.
*Tranquilo*, as they say here in the southern continent of the Americas. Loosely translated.... *don't worry, it's fine.*
Thankful for your query here because it reminded me of a poem I came across many years ago. (Full text at https://fs.blog/how-to-be-a-man-rudyard-kipling/)
A few of my favorite lines here that point the way
"If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools..."
The system has left very little room for men to be men. It has been whittled away for decades, centuries, just as its drive for humanity to stop being human is one of its goals. I'd be interested in furthering the conversation on this. Maybe this is about as much as I know, for tonight anyways. If I come to Vietnam next year, maybe we'll get the chance to meet in person.
Keep going.
Cheers
- Juantastico
Muchas Gracias!! Wow. This was real medicine for me, a soothing balm. I had never heard that Rudyard Kipling poem before. It was potent, just as are the words you shared. It is true as you say, "The system has left very little room for men to be men." I dare say we no longer even know what it means to be a man. Sometimes I catch glimpses of it. I have a small handful of excellent male mentors, I also feel the sweet breath of my ancestors from time to time. But overall, there are few to look up to in this time. And it's not so easy to make real friends either. I've been to a few "mens gatherings", but they tend to get too new agey, or bro-ish too. Good intentions generally, but eventually capitalism eats everything. It will take time. Lifetimes. But there are good men in this world. To be sure. I think you are one of them:) You will surely find a place of honor at our table if life ever finds you on this side of the Big Pond, hermano. (By the way, we live in Thailand;) --All Blessings. And yes, let's most certainly keep this conversation going. I'm in for the long haul. Suerte!
Hu-man you and we are. What a wonder to bow to our limits. Thank you- Seems all of us need some right-sizing and to get over the idea of being good and good at everything.
Thank you for this, Cynthia. It’s a fine balance between acknowledging that we both do too much and not nearly enough. But it seems mostly, we all need rest… I bow to you dear sister, in gratitude:)