Posts Tagged ‘hero principles’

Lean on Men, Not Women

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

I was at a one-day men’s group facilitated by a friend of mine a couple years ago. This friend is a singer and likes to bring vocal improvisation into his work with men.

He broke into that song ”Lean on Me” and pretty soon all of us guys were singing it standing in a circle with our arms around each other’s shoulders, literally leaning on one another for support.

(Not all men’s groups or events include spontaneous singing, but hey – you never know.)

It was a great reminder of the opportunity men have to lean on EACH OTHER for support… and to stop leaning on the WOMEN in our life.

Personally, I was used to taking my worries and frustrations (and frankly my whining and complaining) to my wife, women friends, mom and sister.

By leaning on the women in my life, and not the men, I was cheating myself of the opportunity for REAL masculine accountability and support. Plus I was ripping off the men in my life of the same opportunity.

This probably had something to do with my relationship with my dad (gee, ya think?) and my fears about getting real or vulnerable with other men.

Anyway – The Hero Principles is about taking responsibility for the quality of your life and your relationship, but it’s not about doing it all alone.

Next time you go to a woman for support, check in with yourself.
Is she going to hold you accountable? Would you really want her to?

Consider taking it to a man instead.

Your Woman’s Anger – Cutting Through the Illusion and Getting to the Heart of the Issue

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Within the community of men that is growing around The Hero Principles, there has been some confusion around the themes of taking Full Responsibility and serving your woman’s femininity. I’ve been getting requests for more clarity, and the “Angry Woman” issue is an especially opportune area to explore.

A man recently commented:
“It’s like she has two personalities.”

Then asked a very good question:
“Just doing whatever she wants isn’t going to solve the problem is it?”

I know a lot of men are asking similar questions, so here’s the answer -

It depends which “personality” you choose to serve!

What I’m suggesting is that under her anger, under her rage… is hurt. Engaging her ANGER at face value is a long, slow path that will probably keep you running in circles… yelling back… or shutting down.

Truth is, at her core, she doesn’t WANT you to buckle under her craziness, so she keeps giving you opportunities to rise above it. Anytime you buckle, she’ll respond with more anger and dissatisfaction.

So stop listening to just her words and start tuning in to her heart’s true desire. Start seeing through the facade, and into her True Goddess Nature. In her heart she simply wants to feel safe, loved and cared for. She wants to receive you. But she has to TRUST you before she lets you in. That’s why she has you jumping through all these fiery hoops, albeit unconsciously.

She’s waiting for you to show up powerfully and purposefully enough to cut through the protective illusions she’s cast, to cut through the BS (hers and yours)… and to join her heart.

Of course, to do this requires YOU to cultivate a resoundingly clear, courageous and conscious heart of your own. THAT, my friend, is what she truly “wants.” THAT is your opportunity. Doing THAT is precisely what will turn this problem into your shared victory.

So how do you do THAT?

You find out (or decide) what you stand for. You take leadership. You look for opportunities in every challenge or problem. You take responsibility for your own anxiety, discomfort or anger. You decide who you will choose to become on this life and relationship journey you are on.

Some men practice on their own.

Some men join a group of men who are committed to this process.
My friends Jayson Gaddis at Revolutionary Man and  Wayne Levine at BetterMen both facilitate men’s groups by telephone.

In fact, Jayson Gaddis has developed a unique guide that shows you step by step how to start and lead a Men’s Group!

Some men work one-on-one with a coach.

Whatever you choose, the Hero Principles are always there to serve you. THAT is what they are for. There is ALWAYS a Hero Principle to help you in EVERY situation. Keep them handy. Life provides constant opportunities to practice. You don’t need to look for opportunities, just to recognize them.

Thanks for joining me in this work.

All My Best,

Justice

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Calling all Heroes! A Relationship Wake-up Call for Men

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Guys – How much responsibility are you taking right now for the quality of your marriage or relationship? Choose a number. 40%? 50%? 90%?

I have news for you: Unless you are taking 100% Full Responsibility for the quality of your relationship, you are short-changing yourself and your partner.

So what does it really mean to take Full Responsibility for the quality of your relationship?

It means you are always “Able to Respond” to any situation you encounter. It means not succumbing to old habitual reactions. It means never shaming or blaming yourself or her. It means never choosing to justify your behaviour.

Perhaps more realistically, it means having a commitment that guides you, an ideal that brings you back whenever you fall.

I used to have the same fight with my wife over and over.

Under stress, I would snap at her or treat her less than kindly. Then I would justify my behaviour, pointing out how she had pushed me to my edge. She would be angry and demand reassurance that I wouldn’t treat her like that ever again. She would say that she deserved better and that she wouldn’t tolerate being spoken to like that. I would say that her demands were unreasonable and that she pushes me. I would say that if she wanted my behaviour to change, she should change her own.

And around and around we would go. Is this sounding familiar to anyone?

Well guess what. I woke up. I realized that I was dis-empowering myself and failing to provide a container of safety for my wife. Once I woke up to this fully, everything changed… overnight… literally. The benefits were incredible! I took a new kind of positive leadership in my marriage.

I became invincible… And she became my biggest fan!

When we men get in touch with our innate strength and ability (what I call our True Hero Nature), we can literally transform our relationship patterns immediately.

My loving challenge to my brothers:

Commit to taking Full Responsibility for the quality of your relationship today. If you slip, simply come back to your commitment. If you fall prey to blame, shame or justification… congratulate yourself for catching yourself in the act and come back to your True Hero Nature.

Want help?
Download my free ebook End Relationship Drama here.

Let me know how it goes.

All My Best,
Justice Marshall

This post was originally written for Melissa Zwanger’s (Goddess Coach) newsletter.
http://www.yourgoddesscoach.com/


Letter from a Hero – Sang Koh: Lucky Man

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

 

(I got this from a Hero Principles reader and Facebook friend recently. I thought it was worth sharing.)

Following your teachings and advice from The Hero Principles has really been changing my life, and my relationship with my wife. We’ve been together now for 14 years, and understanding my role in creating what I want has been life changing. Thank you so much Justice for sharing so much with all of us. I am eternally grateful:)

As I begin to realize just how much power I have in my own life, and what it means to start living my life as a man, comfortable with myself, I wanted to share the lyrics from a Verve song.  The song is Lucky Man, and I’d listened to it so many times in the past, but never really heard the message.  I’m sure most people have probably heard this song too.  But once I really listened to the lyrics, I realized just how powerful they are, and how much it speaks to exactly what I’m going through in my own transformation, as I learn to love myself for the person and the man I am, and not basing my own happiness on the validation of others.  Just amazing how many times you can hear something and never REALLY hear it until you’re aware.  And then the message is so obvious and clear.  Anyway, I just wanted to share. 

Be amazing:)
Sang.

Happiness
More or less
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Oh, my, my
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know just where I am

But how many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?

But I’m a lucky man
With fire in my hands

Happiness
Something in my own place
I’m stood here naked
Smiling, I feel no disgrace
With who I am