DAD STOIC | STOIC MASCULINITY

“A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.” - James Allen

Working in the garden and around the house I have been using many tools to either build, cut down, uproot or plant, often the same tools to accomplish varying tasks. So it is with masculinity and manly attributes. They are tools that should be used to yield positive results in our lives and the lives of others. Just because tools can cause harm, doesn't mean I throw them away and banish them, and just because certain men show up in narcissistic, toxic and harmful ways, doesn't mean we villainise the very attributes that build, grow and serve.