Iron And The Soul - Caveman Circus

I believe that the definition of definition is reinvention. To not be like your parents. To not be like your friends. To be yourself.

Completely.

When I was young I had no sense of myself. All I was, was a product of all the fear and humiliation I suffered. Fear of my parents. The humiliation of teachers calling me “garbage can” and telling me I’d be mowing lawns for a living. And the very real terror of my fellow students. I was threatened and beaten up for the color of my skin and my size. I was skinny and clumsy, and when others would tease me I didn’t run home crying, wondering why.

I knew all too well. I was there to be antagonized. In sports I was laughed at. A spaz. I was pretty good at boxing but only because the rage that filled my every waking moment made me wild and unpredictable. I fought with some strange fury. The other boys thought I was crazy.

I hated myself all the time.

As stupid at it seems now, I wanted to talk like them, dress like them, carry myself with the ease of knowing that I wasn’t going to get pounded in the hallway between classes. Years passed and I learned to keep it all inside. I only talked to a few boys in my grade. Other losers. Some of them are to this day the greatest people I have ever known. Hang out with a guy who has had his head flushed down a toilet a few times, treat him with respect, and you’ll find a faithful friend forever. But even with friends, school sucked. Teachers gave me hard time. I didn’t think much of them either.

Then came Mr. Pepperman, my advisor. He was a powerfully built Vietnam veteran, and he was scary. No one ever talked out of turn in his class. Once one kid did and Mr. P. lifted him off the ground and pinned him to the blackboard. Mr. P. could see that I was in bad shape, and one Friday in October he asked me if I had ever worked out with weights...

Full Article continues here: cavemancircus.com/2021/08/23/the-daily-man-up-the-iron/

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Why Having the Right Friends is Extremely Important

When I was 10, I discovered The Three Musketeers: a swashbuckling tale about four inseparable friends living by the motto “all for one, one for all.” The book became an instant favorite – but not because of the wine, women, song or adventure.

What I actually enjoyed most was the camaraderie between the main characters. My family had just moved and I was really lonely; the idea of having loyal friends inspired me. I read the book and fantasized about having people to share my own adventures with.

As an adult, I can look back and say my wish came true. Throughout the years, I’ve been surrounded by some amazing people. Thanks to them, I understand why having the right friends is extremely important – especially in a culture where others always come second.

Full article continues here: cavemancircus.com/2021/07/07/surround-yourself-with-good-friends/

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The Daily Man-Up: Stop Trying To Prove Yourself To Everyone - Live Your Life For Yourself

If you’re living your life in such a way that you hope to prove yourself, then you’re cut off from your greater inner resources. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to prove yourself to one person, many people, or just yourself.

Being stuck with the need to prove is a slavery mindset. You’re not truly free. You’re trying to win some kind of approval (aPROVal, see that there?) so that you can finally go live your life the way you’d otherwise prefer to.

Therefore let this article serve as a reminder and invitation to put down all of your proving agendas so that you can just go right ahead and live your life in ways that support your greatest happiness and evolution.

Full article continues here: cavemancircus.com/2021/07/02/stop-trying-to-prove-yourself-to-everyone-live-your-life-for-yourself/

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The Daily Man-Up: Real Growth Starts When You’re Tired Of Your Own Excuses

You need to actually care about your future self.

It helps if you’re confident enough to know you’ll get everything you want in life, but are humble enough to know that it won’t just come to you.

We like to put things off and say we don’t have time for it. But we know we’re lying to ourselves.

Everyone has time for things, it’s just that we don’t make it a priority.

It might be we’re avoiding it because we’re scared of failure.

At some point we’re going to need to go for it.

It’s up to you to decide when enough is enough and make a change.

Article can be found here: cavemancircus.com/2021/07/23/real-growth-starts-when-youre-tired-of-your-own-excuses/

#2021 #CavemanCircus #TheDailyManUp #Improvement