Heartstrong Identity
A heartstrong man is defined as: a man who intends to connect with his heart. Create alignment with your heart by becoming conscious of and intentionally cultivating your values and priorities. As more men become heartstrong we collectively gain a better understanding of masculinity. Masculinity manifests as common attributes among men, but also as unique gifts that support the tribe.
Exploring Masculinity
I recently finished reading The Masculinity Manifesto by Ryan Michler. It’s a solid book, emphasizing principles and attributes men need to create influence, credibility, and authority. It’s helping me identify pathways for growth. I’m glad I picked it up, though honestly I only chose to read it based on its cover. There are there a lot of books out there trying to help men be their best - not to mention podcasts and social media. The sheer volume of ideas can be overwhelming. Much of this information is organized as steps, pillars, principles, and processes to help you become a better man, and each comes with its own understanding of masculinity. So then, which do you follow?
Perhaps the answer is none of them, but also all of them. I’m seeing a common theme in these perspectives. While they don’t perfectly align in their definitions of masculinity, there is a general sense that men have lost their way and forgotten what once filled them with life and vitality. Modern society appears to be deluding masculinity. This theme resonates with me, makes logical sense, and adds value to my life by influencing my actions in positive ways. The important part of consuming the perspectives of others isn’t to become dogmatic about any one of them, but to understand how they allow us to discover parts of our true nature and magnify it. As so many of these authors point out, it’s not in the understanding of the material that helps us, but in right action which moves us forward.
What it Means to be Heartstrong
I offer this perspective. That to come together as men we need to get into our hearts. In this work we get conscious of and intentionally create our values and priorities. There are traumas to heal, impulses to grow out of, vices to overcome, and emotions to feel. You don’t have to be perfectly aligned with your heart to be heartstrong. In fact, I believe as men we will spend our whole lives working through this process. The definition of a heartstrong man is nothing more than: a man who intends to connect with his heart. And that’s it.
The beauty in this definition is that it allows for each of us to be on our own journey of self-discovery without judgement. At the same time, we can support each other and grow stronger together in this one intention.
“Create alignment with your heart by becoming conscious of and intentionally cultivating your values and priorities”
What’s in your Heart?
I am grateful for those who are willing to share their ideas because it often inspires the good that is already in me, but I am also aware that what aligns with my heart comes first. If I allow myself to be convinced that I should be one way or another without that alignment, I will be led astray – further from who I am, further out of touch with masculinity.
I believe that men have so much in common, and also that our differences are beautiful. After searching our hearts many will find courage, confidence, valor, or loyalty. Others may find playfulness, freedom, boldness, wildness, or so many other attributes besides. As these qualities manifest in our lives, we will all come to a greater understanding of masculinity itself. We’ll rally around our similarities and celebrate our differences. Among men there will always be those who lift our spirits, those who protect us, those who push us to be better, and those who inspire. Our individual gifts manifest brightly when we get clear with our hearts.