The Men’s Movement… or whatever you want to call it is slowly growing. It’s growing organically as men find new ways to help each other. A few days ago one of my partners Ken Solin sent me the URL of a site in Australia. Men Group focuses on supporting men in starting their own men’s group. The two fellows who started this are not much different than the three of us who started Men Corps.
I know when I first heard of a men’s groups I thought – weird, men getting emotional. I don’t think I’m interested.
After getting honest that I missed the camaraderie I had when I was younger I said maybe. Then I took a deep breath and admitted that there was a lot of being a man I didn’t know. Then I wondered if I would be accepted in a men’s group.
I got my nerve up and joined. I quickly learned that all the men felt they were not a real man. Every man felt a little twinge when they said they were a man. Yes, each man was different. Yet we all shared holes in our maturation. For different reasons we didn’t get to learn certain aspects of what it was to be a man.
In the course of being in the group I saw other men and myself get to learn these missing components. We also got to practice them in the safety of the group. If another man in the group didn’t have the knowledge or skill in some magical way the collective of the group processed what a man needed to learn.
Check out these sites. Join a group. If you can’t find the group you want – start one. I have a few times. I believe you will be surprised how many men will respond to your invite. Last week Brad, a man in my group said he thought there were a few men that wanted a group like ours. So he mentioned it to a few guys. Three days ago they had their first meeting – ten men joined. Brad was blown away with the response. Men left the meeting saying I never thought I would say that… now that I did I feel great.
