Be Careful! Maintain Balance
Growing up in rural Oregon in the 40s and 50s among loggers and ranchers, models of true manhood were fairly rough and tumble. Hard work was honored. Calloused hands were one of the badges of honor—wimps had the smooth hands. A broken limb, or three, was expected if one rode and played hard, when there was even time for play in between the daily persistence of chores.
Brawn was celebrated. Being too smart was frowned upon, as too much education seemed to take people away from the farms and ranches.
The generations seemed to repeat themselves every fifteen to twenty-two years, whether planned or not. Life seemed to have a seasonal rhythm then, thanks to Mother Nature and Father Time.
Your parents, or grandparents, or even your great-grandparents, may reflect on the “good old days,” but life balance was as crucial a commodity back then as it is today. Right now. With you. No matter what continent you live on.
What is it, exactly, that makes a man a good man? A balanced man? A man of positive action and accomplishment? A modern gladiator?
Between that last sentence and this one, I’ve been watching a windsurfer tackle the waters here in the bay at Keith, Hawaii. You can’t miss the neon green of his sail, except now—it’s out of breeze and limp in the water. Climbing up on his board, adjusting his harness, gaining his balance, jerking the lines, up and away he goes skimming the surface. Over here, in 2014, that’s another of those symbols of true man—or woman—hood.
Life balance is about more than just action, be thee single, rancher, surfer, married, scholar, businessman, soldier, younger, athlete, husband, older, martial arts specialist, avid reader, chef, artist, coach, father, toned, overweight (of course, just a bit…), no matter your ethnicity, financial balance, or belief system. Just so we don’t put any guilt trips on ourselves, perfect balance is short lived. But then, you already knew that.
Modern gladiators are committed to knowing what is taking place at the core of their lives. Attention to the core of who we are is the beginning of balance that sustains our very beings, nurtures our future, and helps us live into who we were originally designed to be, no matter what we do. Therein is the real adventure of becoming a true man of any age at any time on this planet.
Modern gladiators know how to create the values that promotes the integrity that defines their unique character. In the leadership mentoring I provide, I constantly encourage the men I meet with to pay creative and careful attention to what, deep down, they truly value at the core of their being.
Contemplate these three questions:
- What kind of men of integrity do I honor, and want to be myself?
- If my girlfriend, or peers, or spouse, or children, or other friends were to define my personal character in five words or short phrases, what would I hope would be said about my core character?
- If a movie were to be made of my life to show the world a vibrant, fully alive man of depth, who is making a radical difference in our world, what would I long for others to copy from how they are living their lives?
Answering these questions is never an end in itself. These questions, for the modern gladiator, for a man who longs to be moving toward life-giving balance, will help form and shape their future.
You want a good challenge? Honestly answer those three questions yourself, then dare to ask others those questions about you. Prepare to be a few significant steps closer to being the good man you long to become and continue to be.
This is the second in a three part series. Next you will be reminded of a five-letter word that is the key to balance for any and every modern gladiator. Questions and comments are always welcome at my email address.
About the Author: Wes Roberts
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