Historical Reflection

Funny how when looking for answers, we find ourselves looking back on history. I, personally have a fascination with ancient Rome, the Spartans, Achilles, Thor, things of that nature. Warriors that worshiped the Gods, fought for freedom, country and honor, and loved like no others. It's interesting to me to read and learn of their culture; so much can be learned. From life lessons, health and physical well being, personal pride and honor, and relationships.

Sure, there are some major differences- like iphones, cars, clothes, and generally everything evolution brings to the table now compared to then. But, the core values of humans stay the same. Men strive to feed their families, their people. Back then, they hunted, made, and traded commodities, such as pots, tools, weapons, produce(when in season to grow wild). Men built empires encompassed by villages with homes and shelter for the women and children. Women, maintained the homes, they supported their men, and took care of children, the only way a mother could. It's not a "where they belong" ignorant statement- Let's face it people, there is something about a bond between mother and child that is more emotional and deep than men. Maybe i'm wrong; but it seems that way in my family. The mother's are caring, loving, sheltering, and accommodating to their children. To my mother, I can do no wrong, and deserve the world. Not to mention, no one makes a home more comfortable than a woman. I know, in my Man apartment, I needed a woman's touch.

To my father, I am his son, his flesh and blood- but it's a male instinct to instill certain things into their children's minds. Father's instinctively want son's to mate to carry on their namesake, keep the family lineage going. That is why all men want sons. Father's become protective of daughter's- their crown jewel. Men know what ill intentions other men have for women, so those thoughts enrage father's and cause them to be overly protective; fighting to be heavily involved in the choosing of the mate process. Us men, we actually have high standards for the women in our lives.

The bond I have with my father is incredibly strong- unbreakable. It's not just a good relationship, it's genetics. But that brings him to throw me into a testing phase, much like the trials in sparta. They were called the Agoge, a rigorous, trial by error period where they were tought to fight, hunt, survive, and be a man. Father's still apply these theories to their sons, just in different applicable situations. Growing up in my household, it was close to the original definition, and something I plan on passing to my son one day. I was taken hunting, fishing, camping, taught wilderness survival, and presented with hard life lessons, to toughen me up. I was in the Boy scouts, a similar ordeal as the agoge, where adolescent males learned ablout life, and survival with their peers, creating hierarchy within groups, allowing the cream to rise to the top. I'm not a firm believer of the "no child left behind" concept. It's not human nature to compromise and allow 2 winners. Men compete for the best females, the best homes, the best everything. THAT is human nature.

My relationship with my mother is open, and full of care. We converse about life, and philosophize, and she is constantly reassuring me of my confidence. Always one to shelter, and sugar coat life's strife's, Mother's protect their children; they try and help them along, as bumpers on bowling lanes prevent you from scratching. There lies the difference: Father's don't supply metaphorical "bumpers," they keep lining you up straight until you mastered the stroke. It's different parenting, but together, it's a good formula for success. Again, this is my experiences, from my family, and close families of friends I grew up with. Aligning yourself with like minded families is a good idea.

All this goes back to social interactions and acceptances in ancient greece, and other empires alike. Women now have power, and I like the idea. I remember the scene in 300 where Xerxes's messenger asks Leonidas, "what business does a woman have speaking among men?" and without hesitation, Queen Gorgo replies, " only spartan women give birth to real men." Epic. Women have a certain genetic power about them from the start, and I for one am all for an equal partner. This shows that the women back then had REAL power- look at the female characters in Spartacus: blood in the sand- the women manipulated, lied, and did what they had to in order to support their husbands. That's how it should be, a mutual partnership. Women are the ying to men's yang, and we need the counter balance. When they need a shoulder to cry on, we comfort them. When we need level headed support, and morale boosters, no one can reassure a man's self esteem better than his woman. Test it out. It's true. We look to our women for validation, as women look to us for safety, and security. It's human nature, not a lack of being able to do so on our own.

I also notice in the reading and depictions (and not everyone can be like Brad Pitt in troy) that the physique of men and women back then were incredible. they were healthy. And with all our vitamins, and things to make us live longer, we should be healthier. But we're not. We're an over weight nation, and a lazy one at that. Nothing wrong with sitting at a computer and making a living; it's the way things are done now. But we need to use the body correctly. i'm no means a poster of physical fitness- I too have been a victim of this. But I find myself making the changes I need to fix it. Every other day, I hit my fitness routine. And there is NO gym involved. I have logs I lift and throw, swing heavy objects (kettle bells, etc) I put my body under extreme duress for an hour to simulate real world ancient work, and training techniques. It's amazing how much I have lost, in 4 weeks. Really is. I'm working on the diet now too. More organic foods, less meats, aiming for that leaner, warrior physique. I'm going to be there, because that's where I was meant to be.

I am following my father's lead; another life lesson. He is in better physical shape than I, in his 50's. He has a simple way of life- he works after work, digging rock, doing home improvements, moving trees, same as our ancestors. It's a cycle we'll never change- or should I say we shouldn't change. It works for us. We have these bodies, which can out perform machines if we want them to, and we don't use them. All this leads me to my final conclusion. We may be a smarter race of people now, but do we really have a better quality of life? It's a good question. A serious question to ask yourself. Do we crutch ourselves and debilitate our ability to be the best human we can be? Says the man who wrote this on the internet, from behind his imac, in my air conditioned living room, listening to the TV. but, none the less, a weekly trip to a historical mindset may save your life. It's helping mine. "Our arrows will blot out the sun, and you will die in darkenss."- "then we shall fight in the shade."
-R

numero uno

Finally! I got myself a place to vent, rant, explode, and spew my mental philosophies, and thoughts. I'm Stoked. I have so many moments when I wish I could sound off; but friends ( and I have some killer ones, btw) don't always want to sit there and hear me speak Everytime I have something to say. Anyways, this ought to be fun.

Let me tell you a little about me. I'm a 28 year old single guy ( I'd like to say recently single, but that's false, Haha) who as of right now, is a struggling graphic artist trying to make a life for myself, in a new town, state, and time zone. I been through some stuff, but generally you could say I have been a child, and young adult of privledge. It's been a good life. I got married, started my own business, built that business to be highly successful, all by 23 years old. I had everything- house, cars, toys, family- and lost it all as quick as it came.

But, here I am, working a part time job, freelance designing, single, and living at home with my dad. Big change? Hell yes. But somewhere, I'm finding myself, and really coming to see what I like, and where I want to be. I'm working at getting what I want, but its a slow process. Time is what I have to be patient for- and I'm hating the wait!

For the record, my love life is non existent. I haven't met a female who really knocks me off balance, so I'm being patient there too. Not one candidate that I have found has been worth the risk, though. Women in this city have issues, lol. Or I suck at the whole dating scene. Most good ones are taken. But its cool- if I can wait it out, (kinda no choice right now!) I'm going to be good. I'll just keep chipping away at bettering myself, and ill meet some one.

This is good for now...ill blog it out more tomorrow.

Much love. -R