Show Some Respect

Nothing shows a bigger lack of character than showing disrespect. It occurs when someone feels slighted, or disregarded, or under-appreciated. There is no absolute measurement for this, but people recognize when it's happened in public. Generally, if a person feels disrespected, then they were.
     "I'm really sorry I'm late. There is no excuse. Forgive me..."
     "Were you here first? I apologize for jumping ahead of you in line..."
     "I didn't see you. Forgive me for not opening the door for you..."
      Most of the time people will cut you some slack if you just own up to your actions and acknowledge that the result was not what they deserved. However, people have a hard time saying they're sorry, especially when they feel it's not their fault. Or, they somehow think that saying you're sorry is a sign of weakness. This is awfully shortsighted. Respecting someone enough to make an apology shows incredible strength and a healthy ability to evaluate one's own behavior.
     There's an unspoken contract among men. You show respect to others who deserve it, and you do it without any drama. The golden rule is to respect people particularly for their age, their life experience, their accomplishments, and their standing in the community.

Muscle It

Men need to stay in shape. It doesn't matter so much how a man gets there. He just needs to get there. Running, aerobics, weight-training, power walking, yoga, cycling, softball, Nautilus, swimming, basketball, spin class, tennis, kick-boxing, etc. The variety is endless. Whatever works.

     The days of flabby men who don't have enough time to workout are over. There should be no excuses. Think about it. A man can't afford to spend a minimum of ten minutes a day on some sort of fitness routine? Not acceptable. Try this. Before heading to the shower in the morning, do some push-ups, sit-ups and some deep knee-bend squats. Remember, no more than ten minutes. Do this every morning, and the muscle-producing effects will appear in no time at all. Now tell me, is that too hard?

      Kirk Douglas commented that he never took the elevator when he was a younger actor working in Hollywood. To stay in shape, he'd climb a few flights of stairs if he had a meeting in a building. Little things like that make a big difference over time.

     Seriously, the issue is general health. Fitness and it's links to improved longevity and emotional well-being are undeniable. It's the smart move.

The Hand Shake

I met some men at an elevator the other day. It was all very business-like. One man extended his hand. "Hi, Doug. Nice to meet you." I put my hand out and replied, "The pleasure is all mine." We shook hands...
     After experiencing the world's most lackluster handshake ever recorded, it occurred to me that there's a right way and a wrong way to shake hands. Never extend a limp, cold-fish hand. That's the worst. Almost as annoying is the kung fu, hand-of-death grip that some men put into practice. It's trying too hard to impress.
     Here's the proper hand shake etiquette. Always make eye contact with the person you're greeting. That's very important. The handshake should be steady and firm. One pump should do. Then let your hand go.

Meat Lovers

Have you ever noticed how the smell of grilling meat on an outdoor barbecue makes you feel good? Of course, it stirs the appetite, but it's much more than that. It's a feeling of comfort. Something about the aroma of searing meat on a hot grill makes men feel nostalgic for their youth. Remember that Summer camping trip as a boy when you grilled the fish that you caught that same day? Or is it the Angus beef hamburgers you flipped before the Super Bowl party? That mesquite scent wafting in the air is as comfortable as a warm blanket. I have fond memories of hearing Vin Scully's voice announcing the Dodger game on the radio and my Dad grilling T-bone steaks smothered in his special barbecue sauce.
     There's a theory that men like the idea of grilling because it's one of those special moments where men gather around an activity and socialize together. They bond with beer in hand, discussing their lives and interests in a relaxed setting. Women are welcome, but let's face it... It's a guy thing. Men like an activity to surround themselves when they chat about last week's game, the newest car model or the management issues at work.
     Who would have guessed that the Weber would be the important rallying point for male weekend entertainment?

Respect Your Brand

One thing about Brett Favre is obvious – the man can play quarterback. The reason is simple. Brett loves football. You can see the enthusiasm when he plays. He plays like a kid on the playground. Head-butting his linemen when he scores a touchdown. Leaping into the crowd at Lambeau Field.
    His love for the game is part of his brand. Favre is an ironman. The old gunslinger with twenty years in the NFL. 297 consecutive starts at quarterback. Three MVP awards. His stats are legendary. He practically owns every passing record in the league. Unquestionably, Favre is a Green Bay Packer icon and a slam dunk future Hall of Famer.
     However, it's interesting to note that Brett Favre isn't as great at retiring from football. Obviously, he doesn't care about retirement the same way he cares about playing football.
     Favre is officially retired from football now, but in the last three years of his career he was confused. He made formal retirements, then went back on his word and came out of retirement. Vacillating from "calling it quits" to "giving it one more try." He looked scatterbrained. Tentative. Wishy-washy. Pathetic. Even if some of his uncertainty was media created, Favre still suffered from the fallout. He didn't respect his own brand. His retirement indecision was in direct conflict with his image on the football field. Confident leadership in a career and in a life... That's what the fans want.

My Father

This is a photo of my Father in 1951. He's a young man here. I'm reminded when I look at this photo that there was a time when men behaved like men. The last generation of men not spoiled by consumerism or elitism. He was a traditional man who was blue-collar and uncomplicated. His name was Francis, but everybody called him Frank.
     Just another World War II vet who was good, honest and hard-working. My Father never spoke ill of anyone. In fact, he was a quiet man, but when he said something people listened. A jack-of-all-trades, he knew how to do things. His favorite belt was a toolbelt. A typical Saturday, he could be found tuning up the Chrysler, unclogging the sink, repairing the fence, planting a garden or grilling a steak.
     My Father believed that the man you are...is the man your son will become. I hope I haven't disappointed him...

Kick Some Ass

Sometimes a man has got to kick some ass now and then. You read that right. No matter what the prevailing politically-correct belief is regarding the ugliness of violence, fighting is a man thing. Clear and simple. Some say the rational approach is the most responsible way to solve every conflict. But we know that's not the truth. A man has got to kick some ass every once in a while.
     Let's face it. People love to provoke each other. Have you ever had somebody go nose-to-nose to you? Bullies are a force to be reckoned with because they're not just going to peacefully go away. When the time arises, a man has got to be a man now. Think of it this way, when a dude puts his finger in your chest and proceeds to call your mother out as a whore... Well, you'll know what to do!
     Of course, if you're going to kick some ass, you might as well start with a good punching technique. The best way to throw a punch is to keep the punch medium in length and direct in it's aim. Long overblown wind-ups rarely land accurately. They only seem to land that way in the movies. Always swing with the rotation of the shoulders and follow-through for full arm extension after the point of contact.