Three Pillars of Strength

I've become extremely passionate about being better at taking on the traditional role of the "Man of the House", and the Modern Gentleman series seems like the perfect place to share what that passion means to me. Now, I'm not talking about becoming a bossy, rude, controlling man. I'm talking about a man that embraces the three pillars of being truly strong, and using that leadership to better the lives of those I love. This is a topic I've encountered in my career more in the last few weeks than I have in the last 5 years combined. These three pillars are being strong in body, strong in mind, and strong in faith. So, Traveler, pull up a seat and lets talk about what makes a person truly strong.

What does it mean to be physically strong? That seems to mean different things to different people. Some people think being strong means having the biggest, most defined muscles they can have. Spending hours in the gym and counting each and every calorie they intake. Some think being strong is being physically competitive and rising to the top of a chosen field or sport. They see championships and titles as the sign of true strength. But, I propose that physical strength isn't entirely about these outward displays. I think physical strength can be putting in a hard day's work for an honest paycheck and never calling it quits until a job is done. Or even, after that long day's work, still having the strength to play with your children and hold the ones you love tight. That's where it really matters. Possessing the strength of body to endure the struggles and serve those that mean the most to you. But, being physically strong isn't all that's involved. It's not enough just to endure and provide, we also need to keep our bodies healthy so that we can continue to serve our families for many years to come. Physical strength and fitness is the duty of anyone that truly wishes to be strong in body and embody the modern gentleman philosophy.

But, being strong in body doesn't mean anything if you aren't strong in mind as well. All the physical strength in the world can't help you if your mind is too dull to put that strength to use. This is where the old stereotype of the "dumb jock" comes from... all muscles and no brains. The devotion to learning and bettering yourself is key to living a fulfilling life, and for instilling that quest for knowledge into your children. A common lesson I teach in my career is the awesome value of knowledge. I have knowledge, skills, and ideas that make no sense for the modern man to know...I mean, when will I ever need to know how to make thin rope out of grass? But, it didn't cost me anything to learn that skill. And, on the wild chance that I'm ever in that one in a million emergency situation, I'll have that little nugget of knowledge in the back of my mind forever. Now, I'm not telling anyone to go out and learn obscure, historical survival skills (unless you find it as interesting as I do) Instead, I'm encouraging everyone to find something that catches your attention and indulge in falling down the "rabbit hole" a little bit. Find something you didn't know every day and learn a little about it. It's a beautiful thought that the more we learn, the more we find that we still don't know. Ask questions, admit when you don't know something and have the character to go find out. That thirst for knowledge can't be taught to others. It has to be demonstrated to ignite that fire for learning in others. So, as a modern gentleman, embrace the immortal words of Socrates, "The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing" and never be content thinking that you know enough.

The third pillar is the one that has taken a central role in mine and my families life recently. Physical strength and mental strength are amazingly powerful attributes to for anyone to have, but without a sense of purpose and morality from strength of faith, how will you ever know when and where to put your other strengths to use? I look at strength of faith through the lenses of a soldier. I may be strong enough to fight and smart enough to win, but without a strong faith I won't know what to fight for or against. That is why I feel that strength of faith is the most important pillar of being truly strong. And, sadly, its the pillar that is most often neglected in modern society. As the world has grown and changed, the importance of beliefs and faith have slowly fallen out of favor. Now, I'm not going to presume to tell anyone they need to attend a particular church or join any particular religion in order to be a strong person. But, I will be bold enough to say that choosing a belief system and devoting time to it in your life is of the utmost importance. Otherwise, you can't be whole. The three pillars of strength of body, mind, and heart. If we don't have all three, we can't survive. It's not possible for the mind and heart to survive without the body, or the body and heart without the mind. But, there are countless people out there trying to survive with a mind and body...but no heart.

These three pillars of strength are a lot to think about. Very few people truly embrace all three in their lives without intentionally choosing to do so. So, I encourage each and every one of you to do a little reflecting. Is there a part of who you are that you're neglecting without even realizing it? Do you have a strong body? a strong mind? a strong sense of faith? And more-so, are you using those strengths to help those lesser than yourself? Strength means nothing if you don't use it to protect those weaker than yourself. Intelligence means nothing if you don't use it to educate those less knowledgeable than yourself. And, faith means nothing if you don't live by it and use it to enlighten those that are more in darkness than yourself. So, my friends and family...brothers and sisters...examine your lives and become truly strong. Become beacons of strength and share your gifts with the world. If enough of us can embrace having true strength, there's no telling the positive effect we can have on the world. Let's continue to enjoy this beautiful journey we're on together...

Until we meet again.