Man or a Mouse
I am sure many have heard this expression and are familiar with some of the dumb tests or challenges we would come up with to prove that we were men. I remember one very well. You would place your arms side by side so that your forearms would be touching each other. Then drop a lit cigarette between them. The first to move was a mouse. I was guilty of taking this challenge a few times myself. My dad saw the burn on my arm and asked me what had happened, so I explained to him what it was. I even challenged him to it and to my surprise he accepted. I was a seasoned pro at this challenge and would not lose no matter what. I won with my dad too. We all do stupid things in our adolescent years I did more than my fair share. Some learn from them, some do not. For a long time, I believed because I had a very high pain tolerance it made me everything, I have ever been told a man was. It was years later that I discovered what a real man was. I do not remember my dad ever asking anyone for help with his bills. All of us kids went to the Doctor or Dentist as needed. We always had nice clothes and plenty of good food to eat. We always had a roof over our heads, stayed warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. My dad never put his hands on my mother in a mean way or talked down on her or to her. He always found time to take his family fishing, camping, or visiting relatives. Not once do I ever remember my dad ever having to prove to anyone that he had a high pain tolerance. Although I know he did because I worked with him all my life. I am sure he took my little challenge and even lost on purpose just for me. Being a man is not about how strong you are or how much pain you can endure. It is not about how well-endowed your male anatomy is either. It is not about a firm handshake or a big truck. But it is about being responsible for your actions and assuming your responsibilities as a husband and a father, being responsible at your workplace, dependable, and trustworthy, being a friend and father, a teacher and guardian. There is no simple challenge to determining if you are a man. Life will determine it for you. A real man will gladly accept that challenge for the love of his family he will…… Prevail.
Simply my thoughts
Dean Butler
