how to show thyself a man
Published: Sun, 08/09/15
“I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man.”
He did not say, “spend time with your family,” or, “work hard and earn money.” His dying words were essentially a call to action, and one that we’d benefit from today.
Show yourself a man.
Reading that brief phrase we know what it means without being able to explain what it means. In being called to be a man we have a sense what to do. We know that complaining must be left to the cowards. We understand that it’s a call to action to do what we must to defend and provide for those whom we love.
We know the virtues and attributes that such a call to action demands.
Honor, for one. To show yourself a man doesn’t imply deceit or a cunning, a snakish persona. Justice, another. Courage, clearly. Grit, possibly most of all.
What is it to “show thyself a man?”
We can all become better men, and we can all use the gym as a vehicle to get us to that goal.
First, grit…
Grit is one part tenacity, one part endurance. It comes to fruition when toughness and persistence align.
Toughness is something most feel is innate, but it isn’t. It’s something we develop. And when you purposefully develop grit and mental toughness it’s acquired far faster and with much greater success than it is when it’s reactive.
How to Develop Grit & Mental Toughness
The act of putting yourself in situations where you are forced to become tougher, mentally, creates toughness in and of itself. It’s that act, the forcing of toughness, that’s just as valuable as the exercise, the pain, the discipline you’re aiming to acquire.
In the article above, you’re introduced to a way of training toughness. It’s likely the most important attribute you can acquire and develop because it’s with you through thick and thin and everyone around you is better off when you’re tough.
It’s also vital to manliness.
To show yourself a man is to do what others are afraid to do.
Keep training hard,
Mike Westerdal
CriticalBench.com