The Definition of a Man

Writing is such an amazing thing. We can write to inform, learn, tell, teach, express; we can write to do many different things, but the most important value of writing to me is writing to heal. I write a lot to get my thoughts and feelings out, but I never realized how much it actually did for me. Sometimes I just get so annoyed with myself and the experiences that I have in my life and even friends and family, but most of the time, let’s be honest… I get annoyed with the men in my life. I can hear the applause now from all the sistas reading this. Men can be so frustrating sometimes. Heaven knows I love ‘em and I could never live without ‘em, but I could just punch them square in the nose most of the time. I am a stubborn person and I know this, but I don’t think it is my stubbornness that makes me so irritated with men. Is it really all that hard to be honest with us women? I think I have this common theme in all of my entries about honesty and how much I wish that people were more honest, if not honest at all times, in the world today. What are we hiding from? We create all these little lies to try and “save” people from hurt or humiliation or anything that might make them feel a little awkward or uncomfortable, when in reality, it would just be so much better and easier if the truth was told in the first place. I feel like I repeat that statement so much, but it is truer than a hole in my sock. I can feel the air in between my toes, but I just don’t want to throw the sock out because I love those socks. They are my favorite and I just cant throw something out that means that much to me. Sad that I can talk about my sock with more truth and honesty than most boys can talk to me about our relationships. Guys just love to lie or to not tell the “whole” truth. I’m not trying to bash on all guys, because I’m sure that girls do the same thing, but you know what, I don’t have to be in any kind of romantic relationship with a girl, so I’m not talking about them. I think that what is most important is that writing about all this helps me to understand what it is that is bothering me, and apparently I’m pretty annoyed with the men I’ve been dating lately… if you can call them men. What is the definition of a man? According to my Webster’s handy college dictionary, the definition of man is: Man n. [pl. men]: 1. A mammal of the genus Homo. 2. a person; a human being. 3. the human race; mankind. 4. an adult human male. 5. (informal) a husband. 6. a strong, virile, brave, or accomplished man. There are a few “men” I can think of who definitely do not live up to the bold definition of “Man.” Do you still refer to them as a man then? Or would they then be called a boy, like pinnochio so desired to be, a real boy. I’m not sure what the answer to this thought process is, but I guess I think some guys should MAN UP and live up to their defining characteristics. That is what makes them Men. Their courage, their strength, the way they can kill spiders for any girl, even if they are terrified out of their mind. They are MEN! They should be proud of that title and live up to it in every way possible, which means… yes, hear me out… they should treat women with respect. Treat them like they deserve, not like dirt or just a piece of trash that they can throw away whenever they are done using it. Men… I say be your definition. Be strong. Be virile. Be brave. Be accomplished. But I would add one thing. Be good and noble. Appreciate the title of “Man” and live up to it in every way possible. Above and beyond. Be the man… for the woman!