Wilco: NPR Tiny Desk Concert #manlymusicfriday
NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” stuff is fun…. and Wilco is amazing. Check it out.
Legends of the fall: Standing on principle
The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can appl to our own wild lives.
Principle is a powerful thing.
prin·ci·ple
ˈprinsəpəl/
noun
noun: principle; plural noun: principles
a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
If you are a man without clearly identified principles, you are drifting across the sea of life, and will be tossed around like a leaf when the storms roll in.
If you have a principled life – you can drop anchor and weather the storm.
What are your principles? Have you ever taken the time to jot them down on paper?
What core beliefs shape who you are?
From the time we are young, we are taught to follow our heart. We’re taught that we are supposed to let our heart be our guide.
I’m honestly not sure what buffoon came up with that advice – but I’ll tell you this – following your heart has allowed a generation of men to rise up to the surface – and then just flounder.
Flopping along with whatever they “feel” to guide them.
Listen, men. You are better than that!
Your heart and emotions are fickle. They do matter – they are indicators and gauges on the dashboard of your life. They measure your performance, and they respond to your circumstances.
But if you try to navigate your car by the direction the speedometer or RPM needle is pointed – you won’t get anywhere.
What should guide you, then?
Your principles.
These are what guides you.
Don’t follow your heart… follow your principles.
Traveling Wilburys – End Of The Line #manlymusicfriday
Can’t help it. Tom Petty’s music last week just got me in the mood for more of this kind of stuff….
Legends of the Fall: Honoring those who went before
The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can appl to our own wild lives.
Since we visited the topic of legacy last week – this is the next logical train of thought. What do we do to honor the men who went before us? Your father, your brothers, your grandfathers?
I think there is an awful lot of cultural revolution these days – to the point that the culture keeps rolling over like a 7-11 taquito on the grill. It’s hard to honor heroes of the past when no one can determine what values we respect anymore.
Let’s make it a point to study the “heroes” that have gone before us. Sure – they can be flawed… and we can identify the flaws – but let’s also give them the benefit of the doubt, and honor their success, rather than throw out all the babies with the bathwater.
Who, in your own history, or your nation’s history is worthy of honor?
Feel free to make a comment to list some heroes that you think we could all learn from!
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Legends of the Fall: What Legacy will we leave?
The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can appl to our own wild lives.
What legacy will we leave?
No one thinks about legacy until it is too late to leave one.
My oldest son is now 17 years old. He has graduated high school early and is ready to face the world. I can’t help but wonder if I invested that 17 years wisely.. I often wonder if I’ve wasted much of it on things that don’t really matter, and allowed him to do the same.
What happens if we honestly evaluate our legacy?
I know many men who have met their end, whose legacy is that they were an abusive, angry drunk. I know many others, who are known as men of love and loyalty and courage.
Ultimately, your legacy will outlive you. What actions in your life are you purposefully using to build that legacy, so that your children will carry on your values, and enter the world ready to make a mark?
On a smaller scale – you might work your job for a year, or for 20 years… but the same principles apply. What will they say about you when you leave and move on? He was a hard worker – he knew his stuff – he was the nicest guy….
Legacy is something we need to think about all the time – because even the smallest actions shape it.
Bruce Springsteen – I’m On Fire #manlymusicfriday
There’s just something manly about a gravely-throated Bruce Springsteen.
Legends of the Fall: Our own mortality is looming
The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can apply to our own wild lives.
Our own mortality is at hand.
“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Listen – the day will come when you will cast off your mortal manly coil and die.
I believe that first comes death, and then comes judgment – we will face our maker and either heaven or hell. What you believe is between you and your maker, and I’ll leave it at that.
Regardless of your belief – the truth is – if all of us lived with our end in mind – we’d live differently.
Are we going to live like it matters? Are we going to live like today is our last?
Nickelback is simultaneously the most loved and the most hated band in America – but their song sums it up well.
“If Today Was Your Last Day”
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
NEEDTOBREATHE “The Outsiders” #manlymusicfriday
Sometimes, when you commit to pursue a new path, it puts you on the outside. To all of you men pursuing the hard path of being a better man – let’s unite on the fringe, gentlemen! We are outsiders, and that is good.