men

February 11 2021

Guest Post: Becoming an Eco-Friendly Man

Being eco-friendly and trying to save the environment isn’t an act of courage anymore – it’s an act of duty every single individual in the world has to perform. If we want to protect our world and save it for the next generation, making a change as soon as possible is the only thing we need to do. And the way to accomplish that is simple – be the change you want to see in the world and start by changing yourself first. So, if you too are thinking about becoming an eco-friendly guy, here are a few things you need to do.

Change the paradigm

One of the issues and difficulties you may be facing while becoming an eco-friendly man is the ruling paradigm that says that men aren’t even ready to become eco-friendly at all. Most of them consider this sort of behavior to be “unmanly” and beneath them, according to a 2017 study, and that’s the biggest problem you’ll have to address in this process
What you need to do, therefore, is change the paradigm and start thinking in another direction. Instead of perceiving sustainability as something that’s endangering your masculinity and making you weaker, start perceiving it as something that’s endangering your life and the lives of those you love. Once you do that and understand how serious the situation is, you’ll become ready to make a change and become sustainable and environmentally-aware.

Switch to recycled materials

Using recycled materials whenever possible is one of the best ways to take your sustainability to the next level. This is a simple hack that can go a long way and create a larger impact than you can anticipate. What’s great, though, is the fact that lots of people have already embraced a more sustainable lifestyle and are using recycled materials every single day.
This is why you should have no problems understanding why these materials are so useful and how you can make the most of them. Start by reducing the use of plastics in your daily life and switch to alternative options for your containers and storage solutions – glass, wicker, wood, etc. Also, if you’re skillful and handy, use recycled materials in your DIY projects. This is a great idea no matter what you’re designing and building, from art pieces with your children to home renovation projects.

Share your car

We all know that carpooling is one of the best ideas in the world, not just when it comes to eco-friendliness, but when it comes to saving money, energy, time, and gas. instead of wasting hours and hours behind the wheel every single day, you can reduce that by 80% and do that only once a week. So, find four friends, neighbors, or coworkers who are willing to carpool with you and you’ll start seeing the benefits in a matter of weeks.
If you’re already an avid carpooler, you can boost your efforts and do something even better – share your car! This concept is a new and innovative way to own a car without all the costs that come with this privilege, but also without endangering the environment that much. So, if you decide to check out the innovative car share concept, you’ll still be able to have a vehicle by your side whenever you want, yet spend less money than you normally would – and do your share when it comes to saving the environment!

Make your home more sustainable

In the end, this might be the ultimate way to become an eco-friendly man and protect Mother Nature. Making your home more sustainable might easily be the most effective approach you could opt for, especially if you want to make a visible difference in your living space and inspire everyone around you to follow your lead and do the same. That’s why this is a win-win scenario you simply have to explore, and it’s safe to say that this idea is easier to realize than you can imagine.
The number of different ideas and approaches is huge, and it’s up to you to pick the ideas that work for you the most and start turning them into practice one by one. Sometimes even the tiniest changes can mean a lot, and some of the things you might do to make your home eco-friendly include replacing your old light bulbs with those LED ones, weather-stripping your windows, and installing a smart thermostat.

Once you start putting these ideas into practice, you won’t just do wonders for the environment, but you’ll also become a more attractive man, as revealed in a 2020 study. So, stop procrastinating and start being more proactive – right now!

January 2 2019

MMC 48 – How To Find a Good Woman | Josh Hatcher | Manlihood Mancast

A good woman is hard to find. Or is she?
In this episode of the Manlihood Mancast, Josh Hatcher talks about ten things you need to know about getting a good woman.

Start by making yourself a better man
Be satisfied in who you are without her
Know what you want – Make a list
Once a cheater, always a cheater
Don’t date crazy
Consider the source
Intentionally and deliberately get to know her
Guard your heart
Be careful with commitment
Friendship first

Want to weigh in? Comment here, or log in to our private facebook group – The Manlihood Mancave to discuss this with other men!

Interested in more Personal development for men? Check out our website at Manlihood.com for more info!

Don’t forget to check out our sponsors:

Hatcher Media – Creative Marketing Solutions | Graphic Design | Video Production | Web Design | Content and Social Marketing
Honky EDC – Everyday Carry Essentials. Handkerchiefs, Beard Oils, and More.

February 26 2018

MMC 41- Man Crush Monday – The Last of the Barenuckles

Episode 41- Man Crush Monday – The Last of the Barenuckles

Keep in mind – not all of the heroes we recognize are perfect. If you look hard enough – you’ll find a reason to disqualify anybody from admiration. We propose a better plan, though – look for the good first. You can learn a good lesson from anyone if you are willing.

Growing up as an Irish Immigrant at the turn of the last century usually meant you’d be tough – and prone to fighting. Young John grew up on the streets of South Boston – but his parents had hoped he’d be a Catholic Priest – not known for their fisticuffs.

John dropped out of Boston College to try his hand at baseball. Eventually – bareknuckle boxing was his sport of choice. Despite the sport’s battle for legitimacy and eventual loss to a more sensible form of gloved boxing. (which John also excelled at.)
You might recognize John – his likeness has become a popular “tough guy” meme.

For being a hard as nails man with grit – for being skilled at his sport – today’s Man Crush Monday is John Sullivan

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

August 29 2017

Understanding Gentlemen: Of Courtship and Flowerpicking

Of Courtship and Flowerpicking

TRIGGER WARNING: The following post contains old-fashioned ideas about relationships and sexuality. Don’t read if you can’t handle the fact that I might hold ideas that you think are outdated or prudish. Better yet, ready it anyway and give it some thought. The worst that can happen is you might be exposed to someone else’s viewpoint. Most likely, you’ll see that I’m a reasonable person.

Somewhere in our 50 Shades of Tinder and snapchat soaked generation of “thirsty” bros, we’ve completely abandoned some old school ideas that I think really matters.

Yes. I’m old fashioned. I’m okay with that. If you think differently than I do – I am not judging you, I’m not offended by you, and I won’t disrespect you.

I think sexuality should be reserved for marriage.

I think sexuality should be gentle, not degrading.

I think that dating shouldn’t be exclusive, and should have strings attached.
I think courtship, or “going steady” should be done carefully, and with the goal of marriage in mind.

I have a lot more old fashioned ideas about this. But I think this is enough to give you my framework.
When it comes to courtship and dating (and yes, there is a distinction between the two) there’s something a man must do. HIs toughness, wildness and strength is not TAMED by her – but rather, he is RESTRAINED for her.

He treats her gently, picks flowers for her, braids her hair, and as such, she sees in him the true beauty of his affection for her – his RESTRAINT.

If a man cares for a woman, treating her gently does not neuter him, does not tame him, does not make him any less tough – no – it’s a chance to prove his love by showing restraint.

I think that if he jumps the gun, and enters into a sexual relationship before the proper time (in my opinion, after marriage) then he demonstrates not restraint, but rather shows her his lack of self-control.

That same restraint is important in the bedroom after marriage as well. He reserves his sexuality only for her. He also continues to treat her gently.

Our porn-saturated culture has normalized the degrading of women during sex. I think that a true gentleman does not descend to calling a woman names, or inflicting pain during sex. That isn’t love, and shouldn’t be portrayed as such.

No matter the stage of your relationship – to be a gentleman, you must exercise self-control!

August 22 2017

Understanding Gentlemen: Courtesy and Kindness Go a long way

Courtesy and Kindness Go a long way

As men, we long to be known for our strength, or ruggedness. If we are not particularly strong, we may have shifted that to a desire to be known for our intellect or creativity. Either way, what each of us want, is supremacy. We want to be the best. We want to be the smartest. In fact, we often lie to ourselves very subtly, to tell ourselves that we are the best and most important person in the room. Even those who may take up the mantle to fight for the downtrodden seem to share this character trait. You see it from the Twitter feed of “social justice warriors” and even the old men swapping fish stories at the corner store over coffee. It’s human nature to put ourselves at the center of our own world.

A gentlemen shows a great that butts against this. Courtesy. Kindness.

To put someone else’s needs ahead of our own clashes with our own inner beast. And it often inspires the same response in others!

Let me challenge you directly, men. There are others who are smarter and stronger. And even those who are weaker and not as smart that need you to defer to them sometimes. They need you to step up and show kindness, politeness.

There are people that just need a smile, a laugh, a friend.

They might need you to offer a helping hand, or even make a sacrifice to help meet a bigger need.

I believe showing kindness goes against human nature, which is about self. Kindness though is built in is too… it’s built in because we are made in the image of God.
Let us never forget the kindness others have shown us, and let us live indebted to pay it forward in acts of love and service

August 15 2017

Understanding Gentlemen: Moderated Ferocity

Moderated Ferocity

Gentle should never mean weak.

Erase that image from your head, and make sure to erase it from the minds of those around you.

I’ll never forget wrestling with my father when I was a boy and even a young man. My dad had some military training, some martial arts training, and years of brawling and fighting behind him. He was stronger than any man I knew.

He definitely showed that strength while we rolled around in the living room floor. He could have crushed my head, snapped a bone, or really seriously hurt me. But he didn’t. He was gentle.

Being gentle is not being weak. It is moderating and controlling strength.

The Allegheny River flowed through our backyard. We were twenty miles from the source, so some would have called it a creek. A very deep swimming hole right on our backyard used to draw young people from town who wanted to cool off in the brown water.

Many of those young people were very disrespectful to my dad’s property, and to my dad himself. He would hear kids cussing or fighting, or catch kids littering or even driving or drugging, and would walk down the river and set them straight. I watched boys and girls day things to my dad that should have been greeted with a smack to the face. But he always kept his cool. He would very firmly ask them to leave. If his eyes got fiery, those kids would scatter. Once in awhile, a young man would need to be physically removed. Dad could have killed them. He never did.
That’s gentleness. That’s a gentleman.

July 18 2017

On the Side: Making Extra Money – Part 3

Sell Everything

Dave Ramsey talks about getting out of debt by selling everything that isn’t nailed down.
Debt might not be your rationale about making more money, but there are certainly ways you could turn the junk sitting around your house into extra cash.

1. Facebook – Sell in local garage sale groups / Facebook Marketplace
2. Online Selling Apps – there are a number of apps for selling. Letgo, VarageSale, and more.

Craigslist or other local classified sites
Ebay / Amazon – This takes a little more skill, but you can make money selling your junk on these sites.

This doesn’t include an old fashioned garage sale. Just put it out on a table and toss a price sticker on it. If it is sitting around unused, why not liquidate it, and put that cash back into what you need?

July 11 2017

On the Side: Making Extra Money – Part 2

Monetize your hobby

Growing up, my father had a hobby that paid. He was a professional birthday clown. He still is, though he has slowed down these days.

Dad was passionate about clowning, and learned the skill well. He practiced making balloons and telling jokes and simple magic tricks. I would come home from school to a house full of animal balloons, while he worked on new designs.

For dad, clowning was fun. But it also gave extra cash for the family. He would often pick us up after a job and take us out for dinner (still dressed in his clown suit.)

Your hobby most likely isn’t clowning, but I have to ask, are you able to monetize it?

Many hobbies, golf, shooting, four wheeling, etc, may cost quite a bit for men to participate. That doesn’t mean they are worthless hobbies! If you enjoy it and it adds value to your life, that’s fine! But I do want you to consider how you can create a hobby that can make money.

Do you like to make things? Wood Furniture, Leatherworking, Paracord Bracelets

Do you like to create? Painting, Graphic Design, Music,

Do you like to work outside? Landscaping, Gardening, Carpentry

Any number of hobbies could be turned into a way to make a little money. If you like golf, and are good at it – you could teach a course, or coach a student club! If you like hiking orhunting, you could take the inexperienced out to explore.

Take a minute in the comments to tell me what your hobby is, and we can discuss how you can monetize it!

July 4 2017

On the Side: Making Extra Money – Part 1

Passive Income is Best

In the old days, one average salary could feed, shelter, clothe, and entertain a family. Today though, inflation, corruption, and financial mismanagement have put us in a position where we often find ourselves in pursuit of more “hustle” to make ends meet. Many families have two or three jobs just to cover basic expenses.

I’m no financial guru, and while my own income streams are still growing, I have studied and researched much about how to create a side hustle to make residual passive income.

What is passive income?

Passive income comes from royalties, rents, dividends, or residuals. You work up front or invest, and over time, your investment pays you back.

Investopedia says:

Earnings an individual derives from a rental property, limited partnership or other enterprise in which he or she is not materially involved. As with non-passive income, passive income is usually taxable; however it is often treated differently by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

What would that passive income look like for you?

1. Rental properties – If you have some cash to invest in rental properties, and enough to keep up the properties, you can make enough to pay for your investment, and then make a profit.

2. Royalties – If you write a book, record music, and sell it, either through self-publishing, or a publisher or record label – you can collect income each month from that source.

3. Investments – investing cash in a mutual fund, or even riskier stocks can bring you dividends each month.

Online business – this could be many things. Often, people create products to sell – they could be real tangible items, virtual courses, subscription services, or more.

Passive income is not free and easy money – it does take work, time, and investment to build these sources – but they can pay off later with minimal maintenance, if done well.

Ultimately, my goal is to generate a full time income from passive income. I’d like to be able to “retire” from working to build someone else’s dream, and work 100 percent building my own. I’m not there yet, but we’re headed there!
I highly recommend following Pat Flynn at Smart Passive income for some ideas on how to make it happen for you!

June 28 2017

Love Your Wife More Than You Love Yourself – Part 5

Thank and Affirm Her.

Use your words. Say what you think and feel about her. I don’t know why this is so difficult for many men to do – but it’s essential to building a good relationship.

She needs to hear, “Thank you.” How often?
You can never say it enough.

She needs to hear, “You are beautiful.” How often?
You can never say it enough.

There are many things unique to your wife that she needs to hear, and I’ll leave that up to you to decode and decipher her. But I can tell you that almost every woman I’ve ever met struggles with self-image, self-worth, self-doubt issues. I think it’s safe to say that it’s a common thing women struggle with.

As a husband, your responsibility is to build her up. To affirm her. To use your words to reassure, comfort, and back her up.

I would talk about the negative things we say – when we cut down, criticize, and tear her apart with our comments – but honestly, that’s another discussion entirely. All that I will say is to stop. If you have constructive advice or concerns – you need to wrap that in love. For every legitimate criticism, you should have already given her five to ten compliments.