These are my notes from the day 1 of Becoming a Better Man process.

Core Values

    
     The times where I feel the most fulfilled are typically when I feel healthy as well.  When I feel I have not eaten too much and have been physically active, chores or fitness, throughout the day is what I mean by healthy.  This leads me to feel that health is a core value of mine.  If I do not feel healthy every thing I do or say feels diminished.

     I also feel fulfilled when I am engaged in service.  While my line of work is just that, I specifically mean community service.  I feel fulfilled when I use my strength or abilities to help strengthen the community.  While servitude would seem the core value, I feel it is merely a vehicle.  The value is actually Utility.  I like to be needed and more importantly useful.  Utility is important to my existence.

     Something I have recently come to value is a strong mind.  I feel that when I utilize a strong mind I am capable of feats that I never felt possible.  Having used this skill I felt accomplished, proud, more successful, and honestly manly.  I felt I was finally able to keep my word to myself.  With a strong and resolute mind I am honest and capable of being the best me.  To be able to set my mind upon something and do it regardless of pain, mental blocks, or anything is crucial to my fulfillment in life.

     Honesty is truly the best policy.  Honesty makes basic things easier so that I may focus my strength on more difficult tasks.  It is important to not only be trusted.  Honesty affects my health (worry) and utility (trust).  When I live an honest existence I feel fulfilled.  I feel as though none of my time is wasted.  That I am a good example as a man.

     While many people list family as their core value, I am inclined to list relationships.  My family is important to be above all else.  Specifically those who show love for me.  I would do many things for my oldest brother, but I would not die for him or act completely selfless towards him.  Those who have given me true love of a family, seek to be good, and are of benefit to this world are those that I seek a relationship with beyond the superficial.  Loyalty, compassion, and strength are what I have to offer these people.  A relationship to me is something sacred.  A pact that need rarely to be spoken of.  When I culticate such relationships I feel truly fulfilled.

1) Honesty

2) Relationships

3) Strong Mind

4) Utility

5) Health

*I chose honesty over a relationship because in a hypothetical situation I would rather destroy a relationship with honesty than to carry one with dishonesty.