Men of Standard, What an incredible way to start the day. Thank you for showing up with open minds and open hearts! Reflecting on this morning’s first Men of Standard circle. 8 men showed up at 7am to sit together, reflect, and have real conversation. That alone says something. One thing I left thinking about was how uncommon it is for men to openly acknowledge what they are proud of. We opened the circle by sharing something we’ve done recently that we are genuinely proud of, and I challenged the men to speak it clearly and firmly. Not arrogantly. Not apologetically. Just honestly. It struck me how many men carry responsibility quietly. We work, provide, support others, handle pressure, solve problems, and keep moving, often without ever pausing to recognize ourselves for it. There was something powerful about hearing men own their efforts out loud. We also spent time talking about responsibility in relationships. One brother reflected on stepping more fully into responsibility. Another spoke about responsibility that had been volunteered onto him. I shared that I’ve recognized myself retracting responsibility in some family relationships. That conversation opened up a bigger reflection around standards. What standards do we hold for ourselves? What standards do we hold for others? When are we leading well? When are we controlling? When are our expectations rooted in love, and when are they rooted in fear, resentment, or projection? A few thoughts I’ve continued sitting with since the circle: • Not every unmet expectation is disrespect. Sometimes it’s lack of communication or capacity. • Holding standards and controlling people are not the same thing. • It’s important to ask: “Am I modeling the standard I expect from others?” • Some people lack character. Others simply lack capacity, awareness, or tools. • We shouldn’t lower standards to avoid discomfort. But we also shouldn’t weaponize standards to make ourselves feel superior. I left this morning feeling grateful.

Gentlemen. Those who know me, know that every now and then I get real. As best I can. Lately, nothing expresses my reality as well as the poetry I write. These spaces are the first places I’ve begun to let it out. Like it or not, here it is. *Wanna Be Guy* I wanna be the guy that outlived his past i wanna be the guy whose trama didnt last I want to be a man Who learned to be kind i want to be a soul that left the gristle behind But I’m here in the kitchen and I drink and I pace And I live in the past and watch my mind race It races with thoughts of dirt that I’ve done But I no longer think That it’s cool that I won My thoughts take me there But I step out and I see That instead of despair I chose to be me. But my past is a pit where I stand on the edge i have to admit its a thrill on the ledge There’s some thrill at that height that brings me back down as those who relate End up in the ground And though I survived i feel hopeless a bit because im stuck inbetween that ledge and the pit. I’m stuck there perceiving a life I let go And I keep on deceiving all the people I know. The deeds that I’m keeping that are too hard to see im keeping the ugly even from me. I want to be the man who can hold all this shit but all I understand is that I forgot how to quit. I endured real carnage and then laughed at my fate Now im left with a vantage That few can relate. So I pace and I drink and I write these things down I pace and I drink And I let myself drown. Jcr 05/26

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Gentlemen, I am very excited for our first circle this Thursday at 7am. We'll meet in the Cottage Homes Park at 714 N Highland Ave. The weather looks to be a bit chilly at 45 degrees, so please dress accordingly. We'll plan to wrap up no later than 8:30. Reach out with any questions, I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

The scared people of the land thought it was sorcery. They had no idea of the hours he spent honing his skills to the point he could overcome any obstacle no matter the size or complexity. #discipline #courage #knowing