A True Gentleman is Honest

An Honest Gentleman

I'll apologize right now for the content of this post, although I'm sure it's completely unnecessary. So, let's have a man-to-man chat.

As I get older, I realize that as a man, I must not truly have grieved at all over the course of my life.

The goal to become a better man and true gentleman has shown me some glaring flaws in character and a lack in areas where I should have gain.

This isn't a post of self-shame; I'm just wondering if other guys out there feel this way. Between having to put on our face of absolute stoicism and strength, working to provide for ourselves and others, striving to be a better version of ourselves than we were the day before, being kind, caring, strong, willing, empathetic, and everything else the world is requiring of us, in the moments of silence and stillness I find myself in moments with tears streaming down my face from a song that comes on or a beautiful view.

Turning 41 years old this year and coming out of a dark place in my life I am grateful for the privilege of being able to write, speak, and create content that can hopefully bring others a sense of hope, inspiration, and motivation to be better every day.

Not only have I become more emotional, but I'm able to see myself and how I treat others more easily than I ever have.

At the same time, I find myself understanding the points at which I turn to people pleasing and don't allow myself to ask for what I want. In fact, the people pleasing and not asking or going after what I want is still something that I deal with to this day.

I went to a singles event this weekend. Not only did I notice several consistent themes of my life popping up with how I chose to go about doing things, but I was exhausted and not confident. I should have been the most confident guy there, or one of them, but as I look back on the event, in my head I felt so inadequate, like I'd be seen as a try hard, or WHATEVER. It didn't matter, I realized my self-talk over the years had destroyed my ability to communicate for the sake of communicating.

What I'm trying to say is that the best thing about gaining more experience in life via years (most people call this aging) is that one gains the ability to stop lying to themselves. I'm running out of excuses for every habit that is still active that is not serving me. I no longer want to engage in any action that doesn't serve me.

A true gentleman is honest, because an honest life is a life that is well lived. There are no excuses. Only honesty. Only responsibility.

There's a reason why they say honesty is the best policy. For those that say you can't be honest ALL the time, what would there be to be dishonest about?

The only person we are ever fooling is ourselves. We don't fool other people as much as we think we do.

Be honest. It will lead to a better life. A good life.

The life of a gentleman. A true gentleman. Because a true gentleman is truly honest, with himself, and others.

#bonding #beabetterman #selfimprovement #relationshipadvice #gentlemanetiquette #etiquette #adviceformen