Bean, I suppose 'dry up" means stop crying (shedding tears) about it? The older I get the more I see what a macho culture we live in. Many other cultures are much worse I think. The human race has barely climbed down from the trees in so many ways. Males are never supposed to admit to any weakness or short-coming, let alone ever admit that they were wrong about something. It's like setting yourself up for a hit. I think it's absurd and limiting and stupid but every male including me has this template they are supposed to adhere to or get sh*t on, which also frequently comes from females BTW. I admit I cringed a little when I included myself among the voiceless.
Bill
Bill,
Its so admirable that you've transcended `something' (perhaps the lies surrounding masculinity?) and allowed yourself be here. I think you're right; it is unusual for man, and I hope that you'll feel both comfortable and valuable here. I enjoy your voice, not only because its male, but because its yours. It strikes me as aware, sensitive, and thoughtful in a `logical' way, which is a very nice combination of personality traits (and rare it their own right).
One thing I think men are a bit more attuned to, which is valuable in a community such as this, is the concept of enpowerment. If women, as a whole, have any one fault I can point to, its that we do not actively seek to empower ourselves as naturally and deliberately as men do. Ok, we put some makeup on and try to look pretty, but beyond that, i feel that women don't really consciously think about power enough. We talk about and understand emotions beautifully, and the support women give is so nurturing and warm. But i feel the `trick' to a lot of our problems is finding ways to be powerful, beyond possessing self esteem, so we are less vulnerable to being targets of abuse in the fist place.
In this respect, I feel that these `self-help' kind of groups could really use a few more male members. The balance could only do everyone good. In any case, I'm glad you're here:)
Bella
