Where are all the male role models? They are out there you just have to accept men for who we are. Growing up I had certain male archetypes that I looked up. They were my idea of what a man should be. Boys and girls need an example of what a good man is. So many are looking online for what they think being a man should be. This isn’t always a healthy way to learn what it is to be a man. Most examples of what a man should be aren’t realistic. They are spared some of the bitter truth of what being a man should be. Us men aren’t always perfect but as a man I know us men are good people who want the best for the people around us.

My father wasn’t around growing up. I basically had to raise myself. My mother suffered from mental illness and the only other male in the house was my brother who started hard drug use at a young age. I looked for examples of what a man should be in my faith and grandfather. The Buddhist leader Diasaku Ikeda was my perfect image of how compassionate a man can truly be. He was the strongest, bravest man I have ever know. His infinite compassion was that of a true Buddha. His teaching taught me to never give up and to press fearlessly to absolute victory. He will always be in my heart and soul.

My grandfather was a bad bad man. But, damn was he cool. He was a Korean war veteran. He traveled all over Asia as a boxer. As an African American in an all white air-force in the 1920’s he was surprisingly accept by his white counterparts. He taught me so much about black/white dynamic and how most white people don’t hate black people. He encouraged my Buddhist practice and would take time have deep unfiltered conversations with me about life. He would express his views on relationships and marriage. Teaching me and supporting me with true love for his child.

Now I’m a father and want to give the life lessons taught to me by these two great men. I am presence in my child’s life. Showing her and guiding her, telling her little tidbits about life, culture and spirituality. She is a confident little lady, that has the whole world at her finger tips. I feel like being there in her life has made a big deference in her life. I am giving her all the the knowledge that I have acquired in my oh so long life. There is a saying “If only I knew then what I know now.” If you can’t go back in time to teach the old you, then the net best thing is to present in the youth of today.

Men are needed in the world. We have to be there to support and nurture the society of the world. We are an import part of our communities and offer a so much to the people around us. Please men of the world don’t shirk your responsibilities and choose to stand strong as valued member of society. Us men are teacher, givers and leaders of a better world. Let’s work to be a positive role models of a blessed world.

Weather your a father, brother or just an average kinda guy your presence is needed. We are needed in the world and we have something to offer. Just our manpower is enough to make a drastic deference in the people who we are close too. We are the good guy here to serve and protect. Let’s show them that we are hero’s and we are here to help. Wish you all the best, man up ^_^!