Are there, or have there ever been, any great men? Or are they all just pretenders, master story tellers with dreams and aspirations and a bit of smarts? Has society and daily life softened us to a point where things like strength and bravery and a healthy savviness—whatever that looks like—have gone the way of the tail and communicating in grunts?
I’m beginning to think that those men toward whom history has been kind and even reverent have never truly existed apart from the passage of time and a long-standing patriarchal bias. No doubt, some have found something inside, risen to the occasion, maybe surprised themselves, or were just doing what they knew they could do. And maybe they just aren’t made like that anymore.
Today it seems there are mostly people with an imagination and a command of the English language who deal in sound bites, know how and when to say the “right” things.
I don’t know. Ambition isn’t always a bad thing, and self-confidence can be an asset. As far as politicians are concerned, I suppose some are idealists who want to serve and make life better for their constituents and country. And others are plainly, objectively awful.
In this moment, we need someone—man or woman—with a gift for wise, compassionate leadership. Not just another talking head on a power trip who’s driven by a need for adulation, or a nice person who should call it a day after one term. Someone who’s humble, most days unflappable, tireless, kind, insightful, brave, and strong at her or his core.
Not sure who that might be, or if such a person even exists, but we need to keep our eyes open.
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