AGENCY

What holds you back? Maybe you don't have the genetics to put on muscle, maybe you're short, maybe you grew up poor, or the boss is constantly out to get you. Maybe all of reality really is conspiring against you...

Tough Sh*t

Do you know whose at fault for your lot in life? You. That's it. Do you know why? Because it's your job to look out for you, no one else's. To be a man you need to be an advocate for your own interests, because no one's gonna do it for you. The second you decide you are entitled to something, or you are going to passively accept your situation, you've lost your agency, and the most important characteristic of the male character. Often, the road to surmounting these obstacles is hard, which leads to my next point...

TOUGHNESS

A Man is an agent, a force with the capacity to act in the world. He takes action, whether by word or deed, to shape his world and improve his place in it. Rather than following the preordained narrative, the Man is an active participant in shaping his world. Oftentimes, modern society trains young men to reduce their agency. We are conditioned to back down, to soften their stance, (particularly if some privileged class could be offended) We are taught that conflict is bad and we should avoid it at all costs.

Bullsh*t

Conflict is necessary. Conflict built this world. Without conflict and decisive action, nothing of consequence would ever get done. Without men who embrace conflict, like Churchill, Chamberlain would have surrendered the entirety of Europe to the Third Reich. Our world is built by men of action, men who don't fear conflict.

The bottom line is that at the end of the day, if you fear conflict, if you fear action, you are not an agent, but an object to be manipulated by others who do with the strength to take action. Which are you?

Challenge(s):

I: Identify one way in which you can become a more active participant in your own life.

II: Next time you are faced with a challenge, particularly when someone challenges you on a fact or opinion, stand your ground. Stand for yourself and your positions.