" The Truth & Being A Man"

" Sometimes the truth hurts, but it's one of those things that if you DONT express it, you'll end up feeling worse than if you DID express it." ~Black Noize

PSA: This is a fairly old note but I still love the message behind it. I'm NOT currently having any situations with my father so never mind that. Peep.

One thing I've learned is that you can't allow fear to hinder you from "holding a mirror" to someone and saying, "Hey! This is you!" Whether they like it or not, they should respect you for being honest. I've recently been going through a little dilemma with my "father". "Father" is in quotations for a reason, but I think THAT says MORE than me actually explaining why I've decided to put that word in quotations. I've gotten to the point in my life's journey that I DON'T need him. He wasn't REALLY there anyway and lately I've just taken a few steps back and noticed the kind of person that I ONCE wanted to be like. Maybe even be friends with and eventually become a better son to BUT no relationship, whether it be love-wise, family-wise, or friendship-wise, should be one-sided. Love in ANY form or fashion is STILL a two-way street. It's gotta be coming from AND going to from BOTH people...ALWAYS.

Now, I am NOT one to blaze anybody, esp. fam, so I will not bash my "father", BUT I will say this. People have preconceived notions and thoughts about what it is to be a man. I can only give my thoughts and ideas about the concept of being a man, I can't teach ANYBODY HOW it is to be one. I will say that I am still on my journey of becoming a full fledged man, BUT a MAN is not JUST someone who is above a certain age. Age is nothing but a number. There are males who are 50-60+ And STILL haven't grasped the concept of what it is to be a man. Being a MAN also has NOTHING to do with paying rent, driving a car, having a job and money, etc. It has to do with YOU and YOUR character and mentality. You can have ALL the MATERIAL things that you THINK make a man, but ALL those things can be taken away from you...does that strip you of your manhood? Think on that topic. I won't try to push my ideas on to you, BUT I DO believe these words are DEFINITELY food for thought.

Much Heart, Stacks on Deck, and Sunglasses