Evolutionary Man

I guess as my first order of business I should explain my title. The older I get, the more I realize that I know much less than I thought I did. I guess that's why I feel like I am an eternal student of life. One of dad's friends told him that in life you are always paying tuition. My child support, a BMW car payment, etc. Money does talk, and in general, the higher the cost of tuition, the more likely the lesson will be learned. Thus far, my life's mistakes have made for a pretty good series of classes. From some of these "mistakes" have come my greatest joys though.

One initiative I'd like to seek out on this blog and in life in general is to find ways to better myself as a man. It would be nice to take some classes without paying so much "tuition."

Jefferey Marx's book Season of Life hit a note with me. The emphasis on developing compassionate, honest and just men is not a new one, but certainly our society needs a nudge back in the right direction. When Michael Vick, OJ Simpson and Ray Lewis can do the things they do and have anyone in society blame thier deeds on anyone but themselves, we as a society have crumbled. It's not enough that these individuals fail to stand up and admit to a wrong, accept punishment and move forward. Our society allows this to happen. We'll partially excuse their actions because they lacked a father figure or the stresses and pressures of the media and fame were to blame. Enough already. Some women may be offended, but the term "stand up and take it like a man" needs to be heard a little more often. When your child fails at school or breaks the law, a good parent won't blame the teacher or police man, but will make that child admit to their wrong and accept the punishment.

I feel the need to reach out and take hold of at least the community around me to stress these values that are so lacking in our country's youth. Finding an outlet for this with an already busy work and family life is the real challenge though. Then again, maybe I'm just idealizing and maybe I'll soon go back to worrying about it but letting "someone else" take care of it. And thus, Rome fell.