My wife approached me ever so cautiously the other day, staring in horror as if my 'Oprah toe' were on fire, or my third eye had a sharp object protruding from its socket, and asked in that ever-so-macabre Hitchcock-esqe tone, "What is that fur crawling up the side of your face and down into what used to be your pectoral region?"
"It's 'No Shave November', honey.", I retorted proudly.
"'No Shave November'. I don't get it, but it sounds stupid.", she snootily shot back, spinning on her heels at a hasty pace, so as not to miss the latest Grand Posting of the gluten-free alternative to the timeless holiday classic fruit cake recipe on Pinterest.
This is not an odd response or sentiment, but it is a tad bit frustrating. I mean, just because we men don't post clever cryptic updates like, 'I'm 25 weeks and lovvvve pistachio ice cream', or change our profile pictures to a different member of the cast of "Sons of Anarchy" every other day, doesn't mean we don't deserve our cause to stand up for, and represent. It just so happens we got something that's not entirely as glamorous, or mainstream, as other causes. No, we were gifted the cause to end all causes, that compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system...the prostate. Well, and colon cancer awareness, but that's only because we've been called a**hole so many times, we just kind of adopted it as our own.
I get it. I'm no different than the next guy, but it is what it is; God's sense of humor at work and we need to pick up the ball, run with it (shameless sports reference) and reach our goal of awareness in the male population, along with prevention and, potentially, a cure. I don't know if either of the previous two scenarios are realistic, but I do know the issue is manageable, without going into a lot of medical mumbo jumbo that the latent member of our far inferior gender would only scratch his head, or nether regions, in a futile effort to understand.
It's all about sucking it up, and getting the screenings, gentlemen; one, which is not that far removed from the Roto-Rooter guy coming out and snaking your clogged drainage pipes, and the other just about as much fun, but not nearly as invasive. Nevertheless, it needs to be taken seriously, and it needs to be done. If not for yourself, and your personal longevity, for your family and those closest to you. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment (it's covered in the Obamacare package-I think) today, while your neck is still mercilessly itchy and it's at the forefront of your thoughts.
And ladies? While our "movement" may not bring to light, "shades" of Ryan Gosling dancing shirtless on our pillow top mattresses, or a virile lumberjack clearing a path to freedom, it is important...to us. Turn the other cheek, and allow us these 30 days to celebrate our manhood in its purest form, and possibly save ourselves, from ourselves, in the process.
Until tomorrow,
Scott
Friday, November 8, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
...And The Greatest Of These Is Love
Ask yourself...is there a force more powerful? Hate, anger, rage; these words are all singular by definition. But love? Love encompasses each of these emotions, as well as compassion, kindness, selflessness and a host of others. And, has there ever been anything more disarming than the by products of this indomitable emotion, such as a warm smile, a kind gesture, or a pleasant word?
With everything that's wrong with the world, doesn't it make sense to strive for something better? To do something right? We get so caught up in the next venture, or appointment, or message that might get missed. We speed through life as if our God will be impressed with the fact that we refuse to be idle; that we always strive for more out of life, to be the best. But at what cost?
Some people get it. Most of us don't. At least, not until an unspeakable tragedy has struck our family, or hit awfully close to home. But, why? Why is it so easy to lash out with negativity, instead of lending any given situation to the appropriate perspective? Are we so jaded as a society, to think this emotion is not real, or to be left behind for those who are weakest among us? Or is it the strong that truly understand what it means to love and be loved?
I will be the first to tell you that I would be a complete hypocrite to say I practice this rule, or action to the fullest. Truth be told, I fail; and I fail miserably. But what I refuse to do is give up, because God sees there is light in my soul. He sees that somewhere through all of the hardness, caused by years of failings, there is promise and He has never given up on me.
Did you know it takes 17 muscles to smile and nearly 43 to frown? Why do we work so hard to display an emotion that is so counterproductive to anything we deal with in our daily lives? There are so many demands, and so much stress placed on each of us every day that it would seem to make sense to seek out some form of an outlet to these distractions, some escape. Yet, more often than not, the exact opposite is the end result. We're a little too impatient with the guy that sits a tick too long at the green light, or the person who rushes into the bank right in front of us just so they don't have to wait. Or perhaps we mutter bad words under our breath when the mom comes hurrying out of the store, nearly running into us, or the rude shopper who takes at least 20 items through the express lane. Why do these incidents affect us so negatively? Because we have been programmed to react in these given situations by those around us, and others we see react similarly. All this proves is that we are not in control of our lives, and what kind of way is that to live?
The next time you are confronted by a similar circumstance I would challenge you to view the moment through the other individuals' eyes. Try to imagine what may be happening in their lives to make them react this way. Think about some of the things that affect the way we interact on a daily basis, accept the humanity of the offense and alter your mindset. Try holding the door for the person, in just a little bit more of a hurry than you; assist the harried mom on her way out the door. Wave politely to the man as he pulls away, obviously embarrassed he has caused such an inconvenience to someone else. Be kind. It will make you feel better...guaranteed.
People are seeking out someone who will listen. They want desperately for someone to care. Displaying these characteristics, even for the briefest of moments, can cultivate an unimaginable result, mainly because it is not the norm. People want non-conformists. We all need non-conformity. Dare to reach out and help where it is needed, and mostly unexpected. Perform a deed which is simple in practice, but exceptional in spirit. Have faith in your fellow man, hold out hope for the power of people...and love; the greatest, most simple gift we can give to another.
Until tomorrow,
Scott
With everything that's wrong with the world, doesn't it make sense to strive for something better? To do something right? We get so caught up in the next venture, or appointment, or message that might get missed. We speed through life as if our God will be impressed with the fact that we refuse to be idle; that we always strive for more out of life, to be the best. But at what cost?
Some people get it. Most of us don't. At least, not until an unspeakable tragedy has struck our family, or hit awfully close to home. But, why? Why is it so easy to lash out with negativity, instead of lending any given situation to the appropriate perspective? Are we so jaded as a society, to think this emotion is not real, or to be left behind for those who are weakest among us? Or is it the strong that truly understand what it means to love and be loved?
I will be the first to tell you that I would be a complete hypocrite to say I practice this rule, or action to the fullest. Truth be told, I fail; and I fail miserably. But what I refuse to do is give up, because God sees there is light in my soul. He sees that somewhere through all of the hardness, caused by years of failings, there is promise and He has never given up on me.
Did you know it takes 17 muscles to smile and nearly 43 to frown? Why do we work so hard to display an emotion that is so counterproductive to anything we deal with in our daily lives? There are so many demands, and so much stress placed on each of us every day that it would seem to make sense to seek out some form of an outlet to these distractions, some escape. Yet, more often than not, the exact opposite is the end result. We're a little too impatient with the guy that sits a tick too long at the green light, or the person who rushes into the bank right in front of us just so they don't have to wait. Or perhaps we mutter bad words under our breath when the mom comes hurrying out of the store, nearly running into us, or the rude shopper who takes at least 20 items through the express lane. Why do these incidents affect us so negatively? Because we have been programmed to react in these given situations by those around us, and others we see react similarly. All this proves is that we are not in control of our lives, and what kind of way is that to live?
The next time you are confronted by a similar circumstance I would challenge you to view the moment through the other individuals' eyes. Try to imagine what may be happening in their lives to make them react this way. Think about some of the things that affect the way we interact on a daily basis, accept the humanity of the offense and alter your mindset. Try holding the door for the person, in just a little bit more of a hurry than you; assist the harried mom on her way out the door. Wave politely to the man as he pulls away, obviously embarrassed he has caused such an inconvenience to someone else. Be kind. It will make you feel better...guaranteed.
People are seeking out someone who will listen. They want desperately for someone to care. Displaying these characteristics, even for the briefest of moments, can cultivate an unimaginable result, mainly because it is not the norm. People want non-conformists. We all need non-conformity. Dare to reach out and help where it is needed, and mostly unexpected. Perform a deed which is simple in practice, but exceptional in spirit. Have faith in your fellow man, hold out hope for the power of people...and love; the greatest, most simple gift we can give to another.
Until tomorrow,
Scott
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