My Advice to Young Men: The Virtuous Masculine Ideal
Young men today face a difficult challenge. The traditional ideals of masculinity that they grew up with are disappearing, leaving them feeling lost and adrift. As a result, many young men are turning to books, blogs, and other sources for advice on how to become strong, virtuous men. In this article, we will explore the concept of the virtuous masculine ideal and offer some advice for young men on how to cultivate inner strength and control.
Before we can talk about how to become a strong, virtuous man, we must first define what we mean by the term. According to author and speaker Robert Greene, the virtuous masculine ideal is embodied by Hollywood actor Gary Cooper. Cooper was not an aggressive or pushy man, but he knew who he was and what he stood for. He had a sense of control over his nature and knew that true inner strength is quiet and calm.
The ideal man is not interested in showing off or proving himself to others. He doesn’t feel the need to push people around or hurt them. Instead, he is confident in himself and his abilities, and he lets his actions speak for themselves. He is not intimidated by criticism or challenge, but welcomes them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
Cultivating Inner Strength and Control
So how can young men cultivate the inner strength and control necessary to become strong, virtuous men? The first step is to develop a sense of self-awareness. This means taking the time to reflect on your values, goals, and priorities. It also means being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses.
Once you have a clear sense of who you are and what you stand for, you can begin to cultivate the self-discipline and control necessary to achieve your goals. This means setting priorities, managing your time effectively, and resisting the temptation to indulge in short-term pleasures at the expense of long-term goals.
Another important aspect of cultivating inner strength is learning how to manage your emotions. This doesn’t mean suppressing your feelings, but rather learning to regulate them in a healthy way. This means recognizing when you are feeling angry, anxious, or stressed, and taking steps to address those feelings in a constructive way, such as through exercise, meditation, or therapy.
The Importance of Traditional Values
Finally, it’s important for young men to recognize the value of traditional values such as honor, integrity, and respect. These values may seem old-fashioned or out of touch, but they are essential for building strong, healthy relationships with others.
This doesn’t mean that you have to be a stick-in-the-mud or refuse to adapt to changing social norms. But it does mean that you should strive to be a person of character and integrity, someone who treats others with kindness and respect, and who takes responsibility for their actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the virtuous masculine ideal is not about being aggressive or pushy, but about cultivating inner strength and control. Young men can achieve this by developing a sense of self-awareness, managing their emotions, and recognizing the importance of traditional values such as honor and integrity. By doing so, they can become strong, virtuous men who are respected and admired by those around them.
