NOVEMBER 26, 2021
C.A.V.E.
For the past year, brother Randy and I have been working with an amazing group of young men here in Lincoln, Nebraska (Our Foundational Band of Brothers) who are all destined to be great leaders. All are already in positions of leadership and are able to influence others in their chosen fields. We just completed Session #1 and are preparing for Session #2 to begin in January 2022. Our objective is to help each one of them; “Know Who they are” and “Who they are becoming as men.” We want to guide them in understanding and dealing with their feelings, talents, and sense of self-worth in an appropriate and loving manner. We want them to have a vision for themselves, their family, and their respective organizations. They learn that they can turn to “Brothers” who can guide them through life in their thinking and in their actions which can change everything. Most of our men are married and building families, so we are including the wives as well (Our Women of Worth) in order to bring all perspectives of what it takes to be an “Authentic Man.”
I am often asked the question; “What does it mean to be an Authentic Man?” Being an authentic man addresses “Masculinity” today. While most of us were taught, “Never show any weakness in life,” most men don’t dare talk about life, purpose, emotions, fears, dreams, hopes and love. We will each have our own perspectives, values, virtues, successes, failures, and understanding of what it means to each of us and NOT what others may tell us or expect of us. Our objective is help our men find THEIR Vision and purpose in life and then live it out in being the best husbands, fathers, sons, friends, and brothers they were meant to be.
As men, we are supposed to play the role that; “Everything is OK” when in truth, it might not be. Being “Authentic” means to be genuine or real. To be genuine to who we really are as men. Our true self. Being authentic requires making a commitment; Being held accountable for our actions; expressing vulnerability; (which brother Randy and I have learned through our own mistakes); and Encouraging others along with way. This CAVE approach is the basis for our group.
In addition, we challenge our men to be the man God made them to be. It might be difficult but it is totally worth the effort. Being authentic is the feeling in your heart that you have been genuine, even in difficult situations, and accept whatever the outcome will be. (There is our Amor Fati again) We want our men to understand, rather than judging and comparing themselves to others, their role in this world along with loving themselves unconditionally. Just as others do for us. Many men truly don’t understand and are lacking in this principle of life.
Follow along as we enter Session #2 of our Band of Brothers. There just might be a few tidbits of wisdom in each of our remarks that you can use in becoming your own authentic man. For you women reading these remarks, share them with the man or men in your life. They deserve it and just might be interested in learning more.
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day: “Authentic men aren’t afraid to show affection, release their feelings, hug their children, cry when they’re sad, admit it when they’re wrong, and ask for help when they need it.” Charles R. Swindell