Age does not a man make.
Published in · 5 min read · May 10, 2020
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While the law says a boy becomes an adult when he reaches the age of 18, the measurement of manhood is not his age. Nor is it the size of his muscles, or knowledge, or even the amount of hair on specific body parts. I didn’t understand what it was to become a man until after I had become one.
(1) A Man Has a Love for Others
These past two months of the COVID crisis reminds me that love is in the little things. Like wearing a mask. Or gloves. True love always strikes me as an act, not a feeling. Love requires us to put others before ourselves.
Even when you’re “in love” — you’ve got that feeling — you’re putting that special someone before yourself. Admittedly, it might be an act in hopes of “winning her over,” but you’re still unselfish for a minute.
(2) A Man Owns a Sense of Peace
I’m not talking about the opposite of war. I’m talking about an amount of confidence that keeps a man from starting battles with others. It’s the mature version of “my daddy can beat up your daddy.” With confidence, you know you don’t have to pick a fight. At my 30th class reunion, I asked a bully I fought back against why he stopped. His answer was, “I didn’t want to risk the embarrassment of you beating me up, so I left you alone!” I discovered a truth that night. Some insecure boys become bullies. They pick fights because they’re afraid and have absolutely no confidence in themselves.
(3) A Man Exhibits a Behavior of Kindness
A kind man is one who, as they say in 12-step programs, “does the next right thing.” I learned that phrase while helping serve as a volunteer in a program. It’s a great phrase.
(4) Do the Next Right Thing.
When a man sees someone in need, he helps them. When he sees someone mistreated, he seeks justice for them. When a man sees the sadness in others, he…
