Subjective and Objective — Don’t Think of An Elephant

“Yeah, well, y’know that’s just, like, your opinion, man.” -The Big Lebowski We have entered a period in our history where we have elevated what our senses can perceive as facts, while we relegate abstract principles to the realm of opinions.  This is not healthy. No sane man would question the sensory data that demonstrate […]

That Thing You (All) Do

“Are you crazy? A man in a really nice camper wants to put our song on the radio! Gimme a pen, I’m signin’! You’re signin’! We’re all signin’!” -Lenny Haise in That Thing You Do (1996) Yes, I quoted a movie from last century, but it’s one of my top five — you really should […]

What Ballroom Dancing Can Teach You

“Ballroom dancing made a man of me.” -Paul McCartney The mission of this blog is to motivate and inspire you to embrace Thriving Authentic Masculinity and to become the best possible version of yourself.  Toward that end, we engage topics that affect your physical, emotional and spiritual health, along with subjects that can help you […]

Seven-and-a-half Tips for Masculine Initiation – And Why They Matter

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen the saddest are these IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN” -Anonymous I have written about the importance of masculine initiation here and here, and I’ve featured a post written by my older son providing his perspective.  In this post, I want to provide some practical considerations against the day […]

Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) The title of today’s post is a quotation attributed to American president Theodore Roosevelt.  The truth of this statement is so blinding, I am partly tempted to let it stand on its own.  If I did that, though, you might think I was […]

A Boat Is A Hole in the Water

“Dear friend, if you’ve gone into hock with your neighbor or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger, If you’ve impulsively promised the shirt off your back and now find yourself shivering out in the cold, Friend, don’t waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess. You’re in that man’s clutches!” -Proverbs 6: 1- 5 […]

Eight Reasons Why Old-School Wedding Vows Are The Best

“Rain and storm and dark skies Well now they don’t mean a thing If you got a girl that loves you And who wants to wear your ring So c’mon mister trouble We’ll make it through you somehow We’ll fill this house with all the love All that heaven will allow” -Bruce Springsteen “All That […]

How to Be the Perfect Wedding Guest

“A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.” -Homer Now that it’s springtime, it’s officially Wedding Season.  Soon you’ll start receiving wedding invitations, and perhaps even requests to stand with one of your friends as a groomsman or even as best man.  If this is new territory for you, here are some tips […]

Wired for Worship

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant […]

Three Vectors of Emotional Health

“All the world’s a stage.” – William Shakespeare Some time ago, I read an article expounding on the theory of 20th century playwright and anthropologist, Robert Ardrey.  In his book, The Territorial Imperative, Ardrey states that once a creature’s survival needs are met (Think Maslow’s hierarchy: food, clothing and shelter), there is a hierarchy of […]