
For All to See
The visual nature of manhood
A manly man is identified by what he does. I don’t mean throwing axes or pillaging villages, but by the way his life displays his character. He doesn’t simply sit around talking about what it is he values and believe. No, a manly man lives it out for all to see.
Can you think of examples of men who’ve displayed what would be described as true manliness? The kind that shows great character and nobility. As Ben pointed out on this week’s episode of The Hangar Podcast, most men tragically have to reach back into their databank of movies to find an example of manly living. Is this really the case?
Have the majority of men today really lacked such influence from men of character in their lives?
We’ve all had people who have influenced us in our lives. Whether or not we can pin point the person, we have also all had men in our lives that have had an impact on us becoming the men we have become.
No matter how you choose to look at it, men build men, and there is no other way. A woman can’t build a man any more than a man can build a woman. Sure, there are things that both men and women can learn from each other, but when it comes to being a man, you take your queue from other men.
If this is true, then the question isn’t whether or not you are building other men, the question is…
What kind of man are you building?
What are the values you live out on a daily basis? What kind of example are you setting for the man next to you, or the one growing up behind you? If someone were to follow you around with a camera, what would the world see of you?
These are the bricks being used to build the men around you into the men they are to become. My son will pick up what he sees me doing more than what he hears me say. In fact, what I say only holds value based on what I do. If my words have influence, it’s only because my actions have given them validity.
Manly men live lives of character, and as a result leave in their wake, other manly men of character.
If you are anything like me, then you have been challenged by this truth. Maybe you’ve taken a few glances within and noticed that you haven’t been living out what it is you say you believe. Well, ruck up Hangarman! It’s time to put your faith into action! Don’t change your words, change the way you live so that your words will hold water.
As a Hangarman, you’ve hopefully already taken the step towards reclaiming manhood by joining in with a group of men and living in authentic community. You’re on your journey towards living a manly existence. Good! Here are a few things that you can do, to begin living out the third maxim presented by Stephen Mansfield in his book “Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men.”
“Manly Men Build Many Men.” — Stephen Mansfield
- Be intentional. It is your responsibility, Hangarman, to build manly men. Make a plan on how you will invest in future men. How will you begin to display for others what it looks like to be a manly men? Maybe you volunteer to lead a small group of men from your church’s youth group, or get involved in leading another group of men a little delayed in their masculine journey.
- Be Manly. One of my cousins taught me that the secret to being funny is to realize that someone is always watching. When the opportunity presents itself to do something funny, do it, because even if you can’t see them, someone is going to see you. The same goes for being manly. Every time the opportunity presents itself for you to display your character, do it. Even though you may not know that there are people watching you, your life lived in a manly way will have an impact on those around you.
- Be Careful. Remember, whether you want it or not, you have influence. You are a part of what manliness will look like in the future. Your sons and your daughters, are relying on you to build manly men, so be careful to build men of character by living as a man of character.
Before you go…
Check out Ep. 18. We think you’ll get a lot out of it. Also, let us know what you think about the Hangar Podcast by giving us a rating, or even better, a review. You can do that by clicking HERE.

