Being A Man By Thapelo Selwane
“I’m sick and tired of applying logic and practicality”.
“I believe a man can be anything that his mind can reach”
A man is born to rescue as opposed to be rescued. The world finds it normal to see a man face hardship and there is nothing unusual about it. Therefore, being born in the manhood family is a challenge on its own. Never expect any sympathy from any one, particularly when the going gets tough. When a helping hand pops out would be a bonus. Otherwise expect no mercy from any human flesh because that’s a life threatening expectation.
There comes a time in life when your syllogism starts falling apart, either – Your potential break-through seems impossible, Your spiritual eye can’t see the way through-out the night, Family and friends turn their backs on both your dream and you as a person, The atmosphere becomes detrimental on its own.
That’s what makes a man keep his manly title with pride. That’s what separates men from boys and winners from losers. That’s what living is!!!
What’s the champion without opposition anyway?
I believe Dr. Victor Frankl was right – “A dreamer goes against not with the wind”. I’m talking about a man who understands why he’s still breathing and walking under the sun. A man who has found his life’s meaning. Thee man who knows that walking over your wife and kids is an act of lack of understanding and not knowing your role as a man. Cheating on your wife is not glamorous as it looks but an act of self-hatred.
The holy book confirms that he who loves his own wife loves himself – Ephesians 5:28. One of the greatest speakers I know once said if you want to see how much a man loves himself look at his family. It’s in a man’s jurisdiction to protect, provide and cherish his family. It’s, again, a man’s obligation to safe-guard and defend his nation.
When a man defends his nation he’s not on duty but defending his honor, because the entire world as we know it began with one man “Adam”. That’s why I dare to be different and dare to dream crazily nuts to such an extent that some people consider me being unrealistic, impractical or even being full of myself. I’m sick and tired of applying logic and practicality. I believe a man can be anything that his mind can reach.
I’m talking about a man who dares the law of gravitational force and apply the law of aerodynamics – what goes up can stay there: by FAITH.
The man who understands that there is no one else who can change things around, but him. He who believes that failure is a state of mind and the sky is not even close to the limits. The man who knows that his country needs him and not even lack of resources will get in his way to the mountaintop. The man who believes that he who is in him is greater than the world against him. He who undisputedly believes that happiness, success and the good life are the results of his power of choice.
The man who believes that he can create the kind of fire that no water can put out, a man the great Dr Martin Luther King Junior dreamed of back in 1965. The man Steve Biko died trying to wake from an oppressed nation. The man who is pregnant with a lot of stuff that caused him the sleepless nights. He who has the fear but do it anyway because he refuses to accept what other people call normal.
I respect Les Brown for this statement “When life knocks you down try to lie on your back because if you can look up, you can get up”. The truth has been revealed so many times that you have nothing else to hide with and no one to blame for not releasing the greatness within you.
A great philosopher once said “too many people die at the age of 25 and remain unburied until they are 65”. When looking at our country you can tell of the number of men who gave up their lives alive. I refuse to die without a record and so should any other man living in African soil because we have the land to protect. We have lost it once and cannot afford to risk the same mistake of our fore-fathers.
Being born a man comes with responsibilities that are automatically connected with the title. I’m not talking about a man who believes that alcohol, cigarette or even drugs can ease a pain because that’s being a coward.
Being born a man is not a choice but a calling. Being born a man is not a privilege but a duty. A duty to perform manly tasks – a duty to be a man!
“A man is born to rescue as opposed to be rescued”