Before reading this, take a few minutes and listen to Pearl Jam’s “Better Man.”
This song haunts me.
Because I want to be a better man.
I want to be a better husband, a better father, a better friend, a better son and a better brother.
A BETTER MAN
I have an ideal man in mind.
I think about him daily.
A man who…
… controls his own destiny.
… is not dependent upon anyone for anything.
… doesn’t owe a penny to anyone for anything.
… inspires the people he comes into contact with.
… gets his ass kicked and gets back up EVERY SINGLE TIME.
… who faces his fears.
… strives to make life better.
… is in control of his emotions.
… doesn’t judge anyone
… says what needs to be said with kindness.
… does what needs to be done with kindness.
… is always willing to go first.
… uses his thoughts and ideas to create the life he wants.
… can make you laugh when you really need a good laugh.
… lives his own life without worrying about what others think or say.
… has unlimited patience.
… doesn’t judge himself when he falls short of who he is trying to become.
The better man I want to become may not actually be attainable.
He’s an ideal.
He’s a goal to strive and work towards.
He’s someone to fight for, to sacrifice for and to suffer for.
I’m far from the better man I want to be.
Becoming a better man is a battle we must fight with ourselves.