Month: June 2017

Man is a part of nature, but often acts in quite unnatural ways. Other aspects of nature exist harmoniously within the tapestry of life without trying to be something they weren’t intended to be. Humans, however, attempt to change not only themselves, but actively work to alter the course of other lives as well.

Perhaps because of our higher level of consciousness, we feel uniquely endowed with the right to exercise free will in an attempt to change things in a way that aligns with how we think they should be, instead of allowing nature to manifest as it was intended. Obviously not all of our interference is for the worse, but how much better might the world be if we tempered our attempts to realign natures design with a little more social consciousness and humility.

Putting aside the larger issues of manmade contributions to habitat destruction, species extinction, global warming, etc., how might we begin to raise awareness of our connection to nature in a smaller, more personal context? I think we start by choosing to be the most natural, authentic version of ourselves that we can be, and then letting those choices build upon one another until we’ve reached a level of greater sensitivity toward life in general.

One way men can initiate this process of growth in their personal lives is by embracing the natural design of their own bodies. Nature intended for men to have facial hair and for it to be a distinguishing characteristic of their being. Those of us who choose to shave day after day should be getting the message that we’re working against the naturally intended manifestation of our physical existence.

Let it grow, and begin to understand the unique, individual role that we have to play and how it connects us to everything else.

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As sentient, human beings we’ve been given the gift of ‘free’ will. The catch is, it’s not really free. Every choice we make has ramifications for better or worse. The abuse of ‘free’ will begets more instability not less, more uncertainty not less and more chaos not less.

I think it’s fair to observe that the world we live in today seems more chaotic than at any other time in human history. When we make choices that move us away from being aligned with the natural order of things, we’re not only setting the table for more instability, uncertainty and chaos, but we’re also creating less opportunity for creative, diverse human experiences and connections.

How much less beautiful would the world be if we planted flowers only to cut off their blossoms just when they start to bloom. Not only would the flower be denied the opportunity to be the fullest version of what it was intended to be, but the richness of our physical existence would be immeasurable muted.

Likewise when men choose to shave their beards, which they are free to do, they’re choosing to be a less authentic, less complete version of themselves than nature intended them to be. Maybe the fabric of humanity becomes a little less richly textured and complete as well.

Choose wisely!

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.

There’s a saying that goes ‘You’ll see it when you believe it’. The bearded colalary is ‘You don’t know until you grow’. When a man allows his beard to grow, the process teaches many lessons about life, about society and most importantly about self.

Having a big beard in today’s world, while becoming more acceptable, still engenders a fair amount of criticism and societal shunning. Learning how to deal with that negative energy and being able to persevere in attaining your own vision of self, is an important character building exercise. Likewise, the patience and commitment necessary to stay the course through all the stages of beard growth, helps create greater self awareness and a more focused clarity of purpose. The overall journey truly becomes one of personal discovery.

Getting in touch with the essence of our true nature and then acting in alignment with those core values, is a powerful life statement. Make your statement.

Grow and know!

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.