I am now 23 years old and until I stumbled upon this site I never really sat down to think about what being a man is really about. Not that I wasn't a man, I have lived my live with conviction and virtue and often felt incompatible with the depraved culture around me. I've always idealized the past, the books I read gave me a yearning for a world with purity, chivalry, and danger. I wanted a world polarized, good versus evil, where discipline was valued but instead I lived in a world of gray leniency. A world constantly losing touch with what makes one respectable. Not that I am perfect, far from it. I have felt the bitter realities of committing unjust deeds, the agony and remorse of losing touch with ones principles. What I have learned is that despite our shortcomings, we must always strive for the unattainable. When I was younger I felt powerless, now I see my sphere of influence as my sword, one I must carefully wield for in that sphere are those closest to me, those I meet along my travels and if my blade is honed and sharp maybe my presence will inspire others to achieve the same. Being a man is no easy task and unless it is done properly, we will lose sight of what it really means to be so.