I asked my dad about 40 years ago
“What does it mean to be a man?”
Because I knew that I was missing something.
I was on the cusp of adulthood but had no idea what it meant to “Be a Man”.
He was a sailor and all his friends had served so I figured he must know.
He said “Handling your responsibilities makes you a man.“
I admit I was disappointed.
I wanted a magic bullet.
Now I’m older than he was when he gave me that advice.
Handle your responsibilities?
What responsibilities?
What if I don’t want those responsibilities?
Oh.
Wait.
Maybe he said Be Responsible.
Maybe he said love your wife and love your fellow man.
Maybe he said don’t judge.
Maybe he said Be The Best You Can Be
And do the best you can
Because that’s all a person can do.
Maybe he said don’t be like me.
I don’t think he said any of those things
And it doesn’t matter what he said
Because what he meant was
Have faith in yourself.
Be a good person.
Have courage.
Speak the truth.
Be responsible.