Sharp cheddar
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 07:46PM This weekend I got to attend a benefit performance for a man who had just recovered from a brain aneurism. That in itself was an amazing sight to see. Group after group dedicated songs that resonated with the southern roots I remember being brought up with. But it wasn't just the songs that caught my attention, it was the men who were singing them. They had heart. What does that mean? They sang from their soul, like they were sharing a piece of their own story.
I came to a realization while watching these men perform…
men grow greater with age.
(Please don’t stone me, this is my observation :))
Would it be too much to say, that the glory of a man shines in his aging? It’s the journey, experiences and failures that have taught him what it means and what it takes to be a great man. When I think about it, women are beautiful by creation, by the beauty that lies in them, it’s more of a matter of recognizing what she’s worth… men show their glory by the strength that grows in them, a realization that I think comes through experiences and trials (developers of character) that tell him he has what it takes. Women can see this a mile away… and it’s so freakin’ amazing to see a man who somehow has grown to know that he has what it takes. When I think of the great men I know who possess this “growing strength” I tell you there is nothing like it. It’s like being known by a lion. Being understood, honored and protected by someone that you know has so much dependable, tested strength is one of the safest feelings I know besides the arms of God himself.
This thought came to me because of some great men that I saw that night, but also because of the great men that stick out in my mind. Most of them have lived, they’ve learned, they are dependable and wise… but I wonder if they were the same great men they are today, when they were 25.
Is my theory true? Or is it just as possible for a man of few years to possess the virtues of a man who has lived to know better.
Thoughts?
Reader Comments (5)
I've seen young men with these virtues, and I must say, it makes me wonder how much more amazing they will be when seasoned with years of experience. Doesn't diminish their good virtues in the present time, but rather makes one excited to know a lucky woman will be able to experience that in him. Then again, I see men who have claimed to have this "experience" and are still mentally, emotionally, and spirtually in their teens, which is heartbreaking and kind of disillusioning.
This is soo true on both sides of the coins. I wonder how much has to do with our upbringings too? I've been doing a lot of research on healing and the "traumas" we experience in our youth that make it so hard for us to live healthy lives in our adult years. A lot of times it's the things that our culture may deem insignificant and common upbringings, but it doesn't mean it doesn't have an impact on the individuals we as men and women grow up to be. What you are saying has so much truth, it's just kind of heart breaking to me to just not know what to do about it.
I often style myself as wanting to be a gentleman, a man of letters, a literary person: part-scholar/part-adventurer, a man of culture, a private man in the public society par excellence, it's these and many other things I desire to be. Women have called me beautiful and wonderful, I feel the great man in those validations, there are times though that I fear I am set back as Lisbeny's latter reference to men who claim to be. I should like to be a great man at 25, I'm 24 now and I'm only beginning to come into my own. As Prince Vasily asked of Anna Pavlovna in War and Peace, speaking of his nephew, "Can you please train this bear for me? He's been staying with men for a month and this is the firts time I've seen him out in society. There's nothing more important for a young man than the company of intelligent women." I should thank you for your posts, you're a oracle I've long sought counsel for :)
@shadow_light5: Wow! Thank you for your candor, what an absolute honor to be a part of your journey. I have found such encouragement in your words. Women need the company of great men too, that's the beauty of it, we need each other.
This project is a shared journey. Much of what I share on this blog is from the perspective of a woman-my story, I welcome you, and I'd love to hear more from you and your perspective as a man. Thank you so much for sharing!
While I don't know exactly what you think of me, let me just say this. I'm 32.