What makes a man?

After I posted about meditation the other day, it occurred to me that some men don't meditate or dare to try yoga because they could be construed as girly men. So, what is the true definition of a man and who is the judge? Me, of course! The extreme manly man is the Brawny Man - rugged on the outside (lumberman, drives a truck, builds things) who comes home and is able to have a glass of wine with his wife (before doing the deed, of course). He certainly isn't Prince Charles who probably can't sleep on anything other than a feather bed.

One brisk fall day while my husband and I were in SoHo walking around there was a guy in his early 30s that told his girlfriend "I could really go for a bowl of zesty soup". Paul and I looked at each other - this 'guy' is not a man. Spicy - yes; Zesty - no. It's funny that Sting (don't laugh) and Richard Gere are 2 celebrities that are definitely manly men but they are both very spiritually centered men and aren't afraid to let the world know. Being in the medias eye, they're going to be ripped apart faster than anyone else. The thing is, they are similar way to a lot of the men I know - and have little tolerance for people that aren't this way: they are comfortable with themselves. Not only that, but they do what is best for them and know the importance of being well rounded individuals in body, mind and spirit. They are really just good old fashioned gentlemen. Men have integrity, are modest, are kind to strangers including opening doors and giving up their seats on the train, and don't choose superficial lifestyles that are so typical in the western world. They listen to punk music but can describe and fully appreciate the sensuality of a good glass of wine or even a good beer. I'm reminded of one of my favorite movies, Bull Durham although Paul might say this reminds him of Fight Club.

Either way, the men are out there they just are too modest to point themselves out. So, if I hear another woman say there are no good men in this world, I'm going to slap her upside the head. In a loving, sisterly way of course. xoxo. k.