general manliness

January 31 2018

Episode 23: Be Aggressive/Assertive/Positive – Manlihood ManCast

https://soundcloud.com/user-625797602/episode-23-be-aggressiveassertivepositive-1618-436-pm
Episode 23: Be Aggressive/Assertive/Positive

Passive men will let life happen to them. They will say, “Whatever!” when faced with a decision – they will let their wives and kids make and break the rules of their home. They’ll let their boss walk all over them. They’ll let their business, health, and relationship fall apart instead of dealing with them.

My advice is to be AGGRESSIVE – ASSERTIVE – POSITIVE

Be Aggressive

Take charge of YOUR life – and lead yourself. Hunt out the holes in your integrity, and patch them up. Set goals and crush them. Determine your path – and run it like a stinking clydesdale.

Aggression has a negative connotation – so we want to clarify – unless you are physically protecting yourself or your family from harm – aggressiveness should not be directed toward people.

Be Assertive

Communicate expectations clearly, and consistently. People cannot treat you the way you want them to treat you unless you tell them HOW to treat you. Don’t be afraid to be “the bad guy”

Be Positive

Eyeore will NEVER be on top – why? because he’s a sad-sack-hack full of sawdust and complaints.

You’ve got to use positive words. Because they are like magic.

Instead of dragging yourself and everyone around you down with negative words (I can’t /You always… / I hate… / I’ll never… ) then start filling it with positivity!

This post was originally published in February of 2015. Read the full post here: http://www.manlihood.com/the-perils-of-passivity-be-aggressiveassertivepositive/

January 30 2018

MMC22: Take Responsibility – Manlihood ManCast

Episode 22: Take Responsibility

There was a phrase that I heard a boy constantly. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!

Probably because I was always making excuses and passing the buck.

I have to admit – I never really understood it for a long time. Someone told me once, “If you want to get out of the mess you are in – you need to embrace the fact that you are in the position you are in because of the choices you have made.”

I’ll be honest. This pissed me off. I was an idiot – and I blamed my financial situation on the company that laid me off – on the system, which seemed designed to keep me down – on the economy – on student loan companies for tricking me into signing them – etc. etc.

Now, I hear the echoes of those words in my ears, and I realize that I really am where I am because of the choices I have made. Some of those choices were good choices – but even good choices have tough consequences!

No one is holding you down. No one is keeping you back.

Stop blaming racism, politics, bullies, your crappy parents, your ex-wife, your lack of friends or anything else for your problems.

Sometimes, I think our “problems” are really just opportunities to test our metal. We look at them as holes that we fall into, when really, they are the CHANCE to prove to ourselves and those around us just what kind of men we are!

But it won’t happen if we make excuses. It won’t happen if we blame others (even if they are to blame!)

This post was originally published in February of 2015. Read the full post here:
http://www.manlihood.com/the-perils-of-passivity-take-responsibility/

___________

If you want to be a better man – check out our website – Manlihood.com – for blogs, videos, and more from our Manlihood Team. Men, you can also join our private facebook group- Manlihood ManCave -where you can meet up with a band of brothers who will challenge you and help you on your journey of manhood.

This episode is produced by Hatcher Media for Manlihood.com
Our Manly theme music is from Austin Stirling and also from Mark Kroos.
Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes, Youtube, or wherever you are listening to the show!

Tune in again for more of the Manlihood ManCast

January 28 2018

MMC21: Man Crush Monday – Remember Me?

Today we’re going go take a look at our Man Crush Monday – where we honor men who have exemplified character, courage, and honor. Today, we’re going to look at a very memorable American who fled to another country, and fought for their independence.

These days, tensions in Washington DC are often hot. Accusations against politicians happen every day. But on this occasion, William Stanbery was dragged out into the street and beaten with a Hickory Cane. His attacker came to DC to stick up for the rights of indigenous peoples, and expose the government frauds who were mistreating them.

But Washington politics weren’t ready for accountability – so the attacker was brought to trial and fined $500 – in those days – a small fortune. He fled the country – and went to a newly formed Republic, where he was commissioned as a Major General in the Army. He fought hard, and climbed the ranks to Commander in Cheif, when he signed that country’s Declaration of Independence on his 43rd Birthday.

It was under his watch that a 13 Day enemy siege at a small church was lost to the enemy. So he mustered the ragtag troops -a very small force compared to the massive and well trained army. It took him a little over a month to whip those boys into shape – but they went up against the full force of the Mexican military – and won in 18 minutes, because this little army new to strike when the Mexican army would be taking their afternoon Siesta.

And our hero led the Army of the Republic of Texas to victory – with the rallying cry to “Remember the Alamo!”

Grit, Courage, Justice, Perseverance – that’s Why Sam Houston is today’s Man Crush Monday

___________

If you want to be a better man – check out our website – Manlihood.com – for blogs, videos, and more from our Manlihood Team. Men, you can also join our private facebook group- Manlihood ManCave -where you can meet up with a band of brothers who will challenge you and help you on your journey of manhood.

Tune in again for more of the Manlihood ManCast

January 26 2018

MMC20 – Welcome to Daddyhood – Be a Better Man

Episode 20: Welcome To Daddyhood – Part 4 – Be a Better Man

A wise man once told that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the different results.The same guy told me about the CANEI Principle. (Constant and Never Ending Improvement)

I think that all too often, as men, we don’t give any thought at all to our own self-improvement. We do our job, we come home, we go to bed, we get up – and we do it all again.

I think that it is important to understand that our children – even when they are babies, are learning from us. When we look at them – we can SEE the CANEI principle at work, right? They start off pooping and screaming, and then gradually learn to walk and talk and wipe their own butts. Soon, they are reading, building with legos, playing football, driving, dating, marrying, and parenting!

It’s important for us to try not to forget our need to improve as well! We want our little boys to grow up to be good men, who never stop improving! We want our little girls to be good women, who keep growing and maturing, right?

Part of being a good dad is to constantly be striving to be a better man.

Your kids are watching every step you take. And what they see will determine how they live the rest of their lives. Yeah – I know that’s a big challenge. If you don’t measure up – at least let them see you trying to improve.

This was originally published in January of 2015. See the full post here:

January 25 2018

MMC19 – Welcome to Daddyhood – Be Proactive

Be a proactive parent

A pastor once painted a picture for me that really sunk in.

A Thermometer measures the temperature in the room. It is reactive. A Thermostat sets the temperature in the room. It is Pro-Active. Be a Thermostat.

The truth is, Dads, that we set the temperature of our homes – if we’re grumpy – everyone is grumpy. (Preaching to myself here folks!)

But more importantly – if we are reacting to the stress, if we are reacting to our kid’s mouthiness, if we are reacting to our frustrations with our wives, then we are operating in such a way that we are causing damage. We’re not supposed to measure the temperature – we’re supposed to set it!

Instead of REACTING to the stress of the situation – we need to be PROACTIVE – that means taking the time to think ahead and try to prevent it. It means when a situation occurs, our approach is to offer solutions, not complaints!

When unexpected situations do arise, how we react says everything to our kids. If they screw up, and we react by shaming them, instead of teaching them, if we react by exploding in anger, instead of correcting them, we end up creating a mess of other issues down the road.
Let’s commit to be proactive in how we parent! Let’s commit to control our emotions, rather than to be controlled BY our emotions.

This was originally published in January of 2015. See the full post here:

http://www.manlihood.com/welcome-to-daddyhood-part-3-be-pro-active/

January 25 2018

MMC18 – Welcome to Daddyhood – Be Involved

Be Involved as a father

I remember the moment when I found out that my wife was not only pregnant with one child- but with TWINS. (Those twins were born on our one year wedding anniversary – which was the Fourth of July – they are now adults!)

It was one of the scariest and most exciting moments of my life. There was no air in that little exam room when the nurse swung around the ultrasound machine, and I saw two little lumps of love on the screen.

Being a dad has been the most rewarding thing I’ve done in this life. I hope that when I die – and people talk about me, the first thing they say is, “He was such a good dad.”

I know I’ve not been a perfect father – but I am proud of how my kids are turning out. Sometimes because of me and sometimes in spite of me.

Kids need their dads to Be Involved. This means so many things – not the least of which is conversation. Have a conversation with your kids every day. Ask about their day, about their school, about their homework.

When they are too young to talk? Talk to them anyway!

(Note – Mom needs you to be involved too – change diapers, clean up messes, rock babies to sleep)

Play games, build towers, dig holes, wrestle in the floor, and jump in leaves.

Kids love and need to have fun with Dad. Be sure to include Mom in this nonsense. She might say she doesn’t have time for such things – but she needs them too!

Kids need you to be involved in the not so fun stuff too – discipline – correction – punishment.

Dad, you really need to take the LEAD in these things – rather than just ignore them and leave them for Mom to do!

This was originally published in January of 2015. See the full post here:

Welcome To Daddyhood – Part 2 – Be Involved

January 23 2018

MMC17 – Welcome to Daddyhood – Be Present

Fatherhood is one of those things that scares the living pants off many a young man. It’s really nothing to be afraid of – and yet it’s nothing to take lightly.

If I were to give advice to any dad, it’s to be present. Your children, from newborns to adults need their fathers to be present in their lives.

Even during those teen years when they act like you are the great satan – they need you to be present. In fact – I say especially during this time in their lives!

In today’s economy, it’s easy to be the dad that has to work overtime, or take a second job. It’s easy to get so busy working to provide for our family that we neglect them! What if we simplified our budgets, so that we lived within our means – and didn’t need to work so much?

(WHAT? DID HE JUST SAY THAT? Yes. I did.)

Our kids need our presence. They need to know we are here. If our job is to set an example for them – they need to actually see us live our lives – see how we react in situations – and experience life with us.

If you haven’t been living this way – it’s never too late to make a change. Let me encourage you to reach out to your kids – and carve out some time to show them love.

This was originally published in January of 2015. See the full post here:

http://www.manlihood.com/welcome-to-daddyhood-part-1-be-present/

January 22 2018

MMC16: Man Crush Monday- A Slow Tank to Frisco

Welcome to the Manlihood Mancast – I’m your host Josh Hatcher – today we’re going to take a look at our Man Crush Monday – where we honor men who have exemplified character, courage, and honor. Today, we’re going to take a look at a man who was itching to fight.

After graduating from West Point, and getting bounced around at various military outposts stateside, this young warrior was ready to go -he specifically requested to be stationed in the Phillipines – and was promptly denied. During the first World War – He was ready to go overseas and fight the Germans – but again, he was denied and stationed to Kansas, then Maryland, and then – finally – orders for France! But they were shot down and he was assigned to the new Tank Corps. Again – orders came in for france! But as he prepared to ship out – the armistice was signed, and the young soldier continued to serve stateside.

Promoted to major – he led a convoy of tanks from DC to California – averaging the breakneck speed of 5 mile per hour, and bringing attention to some major infrastructure problems with the US highway system.

Eventually, he did get to the Phillipines, along with Douglas McArthur – but it wasn’t until the next world war that this major would climb the ranks to General, and become known as a war hero. All of that time stateside allowed him to become skilled in the art of leadership and war planning – And after the war, he kept climbing to the nation’s highest post.

When he took office, one of his first tasks, was fixing those ailing highways.

Because of his persistence, and his commitment, President Dwight D. Eisenhower is this week’s Man Crush Monday.

January 18 2018

Manlihood Mancast Episode 14: Honoring those who went before

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?
Why not hop into our closed facebook group for men – Manlihood Mancave and let us know who in your life is worthy of honor?

October 31 2017

Blood and Guts: What Flows in your veins

We decided to run with a creepy halloween thing as we talk about personal development for men this month. Blood and Guts may sound creepy – but let’s turn it around and talk about the offal and innards from a completely different perspective.

Blood has been thought of as sacred since the first moment someone nicked their finger and saw the dark red fluid flow out of it.

It carries life – and has inspired mythology, religion, folklore, and storytellers to view it as a mystical and powerful force.

Your heart pumps blood through your veins – and it moves all through your body.

Let’s use this metaphor to ask a couple of personal development questions,men.

We often call our emotional center our “heart.” And if the physical heart pumps blood through your veins – what is the emotional force that the figurative heart pumps through your veins?

PASSION.

So for the sake of analogy – think of PASSION as BLOOD.

In every man, there is a passion that drive him. Even the tired and weak man has that passion pumping through him – though he may have a weak pulse, or low blood pressure.

But the best men are those that have harnessed and trained their body to work with their flowing passion to get things accomplished.

What are you passionate about? What drives you? What passion flows in your veins?

Take some time to identify the things you are passionate about. Then find a way to embrace and strengthen and train yourself – like an athelete – a finely tuned machine to use them to the best of your ability.