Deserving honourable mentions…

I have often encountered the phrase “there are no good men out there” and various cruder variations of it and after a few years of living and encountering the world, I have come to learn this to not be entirely true. I have met and had interactions with men of questionable character but today as I started my day I started to look to the men within my inner circle; My friends, brothers, uncles , grandfathers ,I realised that the world may not be bursting at the seams with good men but my life is densely populated with them. It is a shame that i had to experience the bad to really appreciate them for what they really are …GOOD MEN.

Let me give this context or just attempt to give it context lol. It is not unusual for me to encounter  men busy on their hustle to provide a better life for their families. Men whose life is governed by this pervading need not only to provide  but to go all out in providing a good life to their loved ones. They do all they can to give their families an advantage in life. If that means working and studying , working 13 hour days, giving up something they want for the greater good then so be it. It may seem like a utopian expectation in this day and age but I think it’s time we took the time to celebrate these men that kill themselves daily so the lights can stay on or so that their kids can get a good education. These are the men that we should encourage not because it is unusual but because we focus so much of our energy on the negative that we fail to see the good that they do.

As I have gone through life I am continually encouraged not expect men to have any backbone or character. The narrative is men are primal beings controlled by primal urges and just a step above gorilla. This is the part where I roll my eyes and scoff because as lame excuses go this here just takes the trophy! WHY ARE WE LIVING WITH ANIMALS AND WHO RAISED THEM AND THEN UNLEASHED THEM ON US! A prerequisite of growing is learning restraint and self-control. It’s not enough to make excuses for an inability to rule one’s body and thoughts. You can’t censor what the world shows you but you can control how to react to it. I am reminded of the scripture 1 corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”.  Yes ,you will be tempted just like everyone else is but rather than make the excuse that you are weak remember this scripture. it’s interesting that rather than say that man is weak it flips the narrative and tells us we are equal to every temptation no matter how jezebel *chuckles*. This coupled with the fact that animalistic living often leads to a haphazard life. The things that separate animals from men are reasoning and restraint. You can’t do everything an animal would do because it isn’t prudent and would probably land you in a chaotic spiral that is normal for animals but not so much for humans. If you have goals and ambitions in life you can’t afford to lose your life and path chasing animal urges. you have a path to follow and things to deny self for . I may not be able to vouch for all the men in my life when it concerns this but I can safely say that they are a beacon of hope for men trying to make the right decisions and stay vigilant about their eyes and reactions to what they see. It may be difficult but as with all things that are worthwhile the effort is worth it.

Others deserving some mention are the awesome people who made their yes be yes and no no! It should be simple don’t make commitments you can’t keep. If you are asked to do something that you are not comfortable with either say yes or no and not both! As people who seek to be seen as leaders consistency and the ability to see out a position are cardinal for building trust. People are more likely to follow someone whose words and actions are consistent. If they can trust your word they also more likely to follow your lead. It follows that if your words and actions can be depended on, then  you can be trusted to lead. In most aspects of life , we tend to seek out leaders who inspire trust so be someone people can trust. Be someone we can  use the term “integrity” to describe. Enough with the shady brothers grabbing all the headlines!

I know the subject of “good men” is broad and I have not fully expounded  it but hopefully, my meagre attempt will suffice . I woke up today ready to pay homage to the “good men” that have raised the standard in my life and continue to give me a different experience of men. Good men are there I know them and am related to some lol. We appreciate you and see your light so keep shining. I am getting famous for my cheesy lines so let me end on a befitting note… ” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9.