- Mens Rea -
A man is not a man by the display of
his bravery, bravado, or brazenness. A man is not a man by the looks of his
masculine thighs, tight arms or explosive chest. A man is not a man by the extent
of material wealth he owns, by the exclusive clubs he joins, or by the big
checks he draws. A man is not a man if he sows fear and hate, bullies the weak
and the oppressed, harms the defenseless and the frail.
A man is not a man if he commits
adultery, if he cheats, if he leaves his family to satisfy an illegitimate
affair for the love of sexual tryst. A man is not a man if he hurts, if he
chides, if he shouts. A man is not man if he does not value respect, if he
cannot foster responsibility, if he cannot commit to love.
Now, Gentlemen present in this hall
may ask themselves by what authority do I speak If I for one, by the very
standards I laid, falter along these lines? Women present alike, however, are
taking notes.
I do not know of any intellectual who
has ever written anything that teaches young lads to become real men. I myself
having only a handful of experience will neither attempt to teach nor implore
the aid of any textbooks to tell to everyone when a man becomes a man. The only
author is reflection, and the known writers are men themselves.
And as I thread along this path of
life called experience, I yielded to the conclusion that I was not a man. I
have lied and cheated; Disobeyed my parents; Betrayed and failed my dreams. I
was running away from my responsibilities. I was not building a life, I was
destroying it. I was becoming less of a man.
Gathering strength from all these
weakness, I started to rewrite my story. This time I will be a man who will
build his future from the rubles of his past; a man who will brave the dark
alley to see the light of the day; a man who feels secure in dangerous moments.
I was at the receiving end of reality
that we do not live in superficial times. The world does not need perfect men,
for it does not exist. Mankind demands real men; Men who do not lie or break
promises; Men who can rectify a wrong; Men who despise evil.
The qualities of a real man are shown
by his very own perspective in life. If he sees the world positive and
changing, he will not run wild like a killing beast. Our identities as men do
not cease where the pavement ends. Real men do not evade the challenges of
life. When he stumbles, he does not fret. He stands. When he falls, he does not
weep. He rises. When he is hurt, he does not retaliate. He forgives. When he’s
in doubt, he does not panic. He asks. When he drifts, he does not run. He reaches.
When he’s wasted, he does not give up. He strives. When he’s broken, he does
not regret. He loves again.
*This is a speech delivered in regular meeting at the Cebu Toastmasters Club by call sign Mens Rea.
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