One of the ways I’ve come to understand our individual paths in the world is to envision a Venn diagram-like intersectionality where our gifts and talents, our passions, and our purpose overlap with the needs we have, as well as our ability to serve others and their needs.
I often talk about self-realization and self-fulfillment, because we must tend to ourselves and our own needs and desires to be energetically and emotionally well and whole, which then allows us to be at our best and most generous with our gifts and abilities in service of others.
The ultimate endpoint of self-actualization is, in fact, selflessness; or, more accurately, conscious interdependence and generous reciprocity. It’s about comfort in the flow of exchange: simply giving when we are able and receiving when we are in need, without it being a transactional accounting.
So, while I wish for you to be content and satisfied, healthy and well-rested, and emotionally fulfilled and on purpose, I want that more so because that best serves us all. When you trust yourself and feel safe, secure, and content in your own body and your own life, generosity and compassion most easily flow from you to others. You give—not simply because you’re supposed to, or because you feel guilty if you don’t; you give because you can and because you care.
Seeing ourselves within the circle of humanity, within the exchange and flow of to and from, offers us the opportunity to be creative and innovative with our innate abilities and our curious spirit; it is a freedom not realized in rugged individualism. Alone on our own, we are in a fight for survival; together, we can each elevate the whole, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
As men, we have more access to platforms and opportunities not as available to others. When we do the work of self-actualization and achieve a consciousness of generosity, we then use this access to act on our wishes for equity and enough for all. We speak up and show up, not from a place of scarcity and self-defense, but from the space of generosity and compassion.
Most men I talk to are thoughtful, kind people. Many don’t like the way things are and the way our systems work, but they feel powerless. Some men believe they aren’t causing any direct harm, or they don’t intend to cause harm; therefore, none of this needs to concern them.
This concerns us all. And we are not powerless. Together, there is nothing we cannot do.
When we are generous in spirit, and we do what we can, because we can and because we care, we use our platforms and opportunities to make sure others are seen, heard, and counted. We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk.
Men’s Work @sunrisejourneys is about helping you—that generous, kind-hearted man who wants to feel good, be good, and do good—do the internal work of building your strength and self-confidence that is the very foundation for achieving that greater spirit of generosity, interdependence, and reciprocity that will serve the world.
We’re here. Are you ready to begin?
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