A Man Must Fight…

I was out and about working on a project the other day when I came across a young man who was a patron of a business I am currently working with. The man was probably in his early twenties and had the shirt of a local electric company on. He sat down and immediately I could tell something was off about him. While he was courteous and friendly, there was a restless energy to him.

I was able to talk with him a little bit and like I said, while kind, there was a sort of “I want to fight” energy to him. He seemed annoyed. After discussing a little bit he told me about his job, his life, and a few other things. Things were going decently well for him and in most aspects of life he was fulfilled, but something was missing.

And I think that something missing for him was a fight.

He had nothing to fight for.

And a man needs to fight, he needs something to fight for.

Life Without The Arena

Now when I say a man needs to fight. I don’t necessarily mean that he needs to get into a punch out with someone, though I think there could be an argument made for constructive violence in a man’s life. Rather what I mean is that a man needs something that he is fighting for. Something beyond simply having a goal, though obviously having a goal is a fundamental part of what a man needs as well. He needs a cause, an ideal in his heart that will not stop speaking to him.

Something that can guide his energies and lead him to great things. Without this a man either sets about numbing himself slowly but surely or alternatively he ends up with restless energy and makes trouble for himself and for others. Neither a good option. Neither leads to health, wellness, or a good society.

This man did not have a fight. Physically or spiritually. I would also venture to guess that his relationship with his father was either absent or strained. Part of that was because of things he said, part a projection of my own conscious, and part from seeing similar character traits in those that do. The man wanted to prove himself somehow but was not sure where or how to start.

A life without an arena does not suit a man.

Finding The Inner Fire

I often feel that some sort of physical fighting is a great way for a man to help connect with his inner fire and can lead to him finding his fire for life as well. There’s something so primal, so humbling, so invigorating about it that it seems to work great. But I get everyone can’t or doesn’t want to do that. So I would still suggest strenuous physical labor. Something out in nature or with others though. Not in a sanitized gym. Something that turns off your thoughts and allow you to flow.

I have a small gymnastics set up consisting of parallettes, parallel bars, rings, a straight bar, a mat, and a few other things that I have set up outside and have been working with. Cold or hot. There’s something about it. The fresh air, often barefoot if possible, but the key I think is to either do it as a group, such as fighting, or be out in nature. Let the work center you.

Center your thoughts and then think about what is worth fighting for in your life. Once you’ve identified that then think about what things you can best do to protect, promote, and grow that which you love in your life. What is worth it to you?

Something beyond the day to day work routine.

What could or does make it worth it?

Consider this, because it’s one of the most important things you can consider.

Thanks for reading.

-Charles Sledge