So much to say

I'm just a man, a simple man, and value both sexes accordingly when they DESERVE IT ...
( Note I wrote When or If they do deserve it )


I have learned that the real man smiles in trouble,
gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

INSPIRED ...From Thomas Paine reading/s

I love the humans ( Men & Women ) that can gather strength
from distress, and grow brave by reflection.
It's the business of little minds to shrink,
but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience
approves his conduct, will pursue his
morals and/or principles unto death.

Also INSPIRED from Thomas Paine reading/s

now heres one of the real men here

**********************************************

...LOL

Have at it I say! If she wants to have the power trip then bring home the bacon honey and I'll take care of things at home.

That's one reason I don't engage in power trips....I prefer to fry the bacon

Talking of bacon. Get ya sweet as back to the coffee shop and make me a bacon sandwich

Yes Dear, right away!

Dear Piscesmoon...Thank you for your input and I apologize for my late response.
It's not what makes anybody real to "me", it's what makes somebody real period. There are only two ways you can go with "real". It's either real or it's phony. There are no other choices. And yes "real" is subjective but not near as subjective as integrity, honesty, honor etc.

Example: We have quote "Honorable" judges who uphold the contemptible practice of killing innocent children (abortion). But they are held up by the people as "honorable" We have successful business men and women who routinely cheat people out of their hard-earned money, yet it's just labeled as "good business". Is that honest ?? Gossip and vindictive rumors fly around any given community like wildfire, unjustly destroying people's reputations and characters without any evidence...yet those same gossipers are held in high regard as people of integrity.
There are a lot of ways these "virtues" can be manipulated and twisted by modern day "reasoning"... but a counterfeit dollar bill is either real or it's phony.

You asked the question, what does "real" mean to me. My opinion is worthless unless it is backed up by a "standard" and the only standard that, has and will, stand the test of time is God's Word. There is a two part foundation that is the bases for mankind but few people will build their life and their marriages on that foundation.

The first and greatest commandment of all ages is; Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is like unto that: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

God commands a man to love his wife, and if necessary, lay down his life for her. God commands a woman to reverence her husband. If a man loves his neighbor as himself (that definitely includes his wife)he's not going to beat on her, he is going to cherish her. If a woman loves her neighbor as herself (that definitely includes her husband) she is not going to control and nag, she is going to reverence and respect him, just like she does for herself. But this can only happen if two people obey the first commandment and love the Lord with all their hearts.

Without being obedient to the first commandment a man does not have the grace to love his wife with all her faults and imperfections. Likewise, unless a woman loves the lord with all her heart she will not have the grace to love and care for that lazy loafer that lays on the couch drinking beer all day :) It is the grace she receives from the Lord that will turn that lazy loafer into a "Real Man" (King of the home). And it is the grace a man receives by loving the Lord with all his heart, that will turn that naggin, raggin woman into a "Real Woman" (Queen of the home).

This is why marriages do not last today because they are not based on the "Love of God", the first and greatest commandment. When the storms of life come, they will quickly wash away anything that is not founded on the Rock.

Thank you montanaman for explaining and sharing your beliefs on this subject. I understand now where you were going with this and have a clearer picture myself of what it means to be "real". I very much agree with all you have said. I too see the hypocrisy and manipulation of virtues. I'm not so sure it's just a "modern" day occurrence though. I think it's just more visible due to modern day technology. It does seem though to be getting worse!

Thank you again, and thank you for posting this thread. It has definitely given me food for thought over the last few days, and will continue to do so.

Thank you Maam...it was my pleasure if I could be of help or encouragement in any way.
By-the-way, I am not a "Real Man".............Yet !!

That takes a lot to admit....I admire that!

And as I am not where I believe I should be...in the eyes of God...nor am I, a "Real Woman"....Yet!

A real man does not need to smack his wife or kids and does not toss out I love you IOU's cheat on her or lie to her. He does not kick around her pets, ruin her stuff and then say Hi Sweetie. he does not grab her private parts in public or make her dress smutty to show her off, he is respectful, fund, laughs with her, not at her, does not mock her or her kids, treats them as his own, is someone she can trust,, snuggle up to, ask councel of in important things, be captain of his ship and asking God to guide it through troubled waters but keep his cool, does not love violence, is kind, gentle, passionate, seeking her needs too, leads his family in a good way, lets her lead with him if needed, is not afraid to say I don't know. Appreciates councel from others, even if they are women. Looks beyond himself and cares about others but does not use that as an excuse or crutch to spend time "helping" other women alone in their homes, or giving them massages when they are lonely, will go home to his wife and give her a massage, help her feel valued, appreciated and not lonely. To me that is what a REAL man is.

Thank you "Godistheanswer" for your input.

I'd say you are speaking from experience...and that is a good thing, in a way, as it's hard to help someone through a situation if you haven't been there yourself.

Thanks again !!

will the real men here raise your hands please

What a crock! The more I reflect on this the more I see a major flaw in what I said. No, I'm not where I believe I "should" be.... I sometimes "should" on myself which is probably a higher injustice to myself than anything anyone else has done to me in the past. The God of my understanding doesn't expect me to be perfect, only I do. And that's not going to happen. I'm human, I make mistakes. I sometimes am not always honest with how I feel or speak my mind, partly because I've been beaten down so much in the past for doing so. But mostly because I "should" on myself and don't always have the confidence in myself to be all I know I can be...or at least think I "should" be....

But none of that means I'm not a real woman...I am Real!

I think about the other women on this site and I admire their strength and confidence in themselves. And there's a lot of men who's truth I admire as well.

Thank you sceptical and Blondey for your last posts...you kind of helped me get out of my funk. I see both these women as someone who would stand up and say, "I am woman, hear me roar!" As well as others...quite a few others. Maybe I should try it. Oh crap, just 'should' on myself again.

And now I'm feeling rather silly....but how about it ladies....want to roar with me?

i will roar with you anytime pisces should i bring shovels and rakes too?

i speak my mind too and always feel silly but it helps me find my real self . cheers to you pisces dear

Yay...thanks SS

Nah, we can leave the shovels and rakes behind.....the roaring might scare some away, shovels and rakes would scare all of them away

Yes you do, and I admire that. I've been working on doing it more, and yes I agree...I feel silly sometimes, but it helps me get to my own truth and who I am.

Cheers to you too SS