It’s probably safe to say that, when possible, you’re interested in making your life better, right?
And you’d probably agree that becoming a better man involves some form of regular growth, being open to new experiences, stretching yourself, etc., right?
Good because here’s something that isn’t talked about much but is so important to be able to move forward to the best man you can be.
Picture a big old rattle snake in the desert. It lives for a certain period of time and then sheds it skin. Two to three times a year it just gets rid of the old layer and starts clean again.
And here’s the point: if you’re going to grow as a man, if you’re going to be successful as you define it, be open to shedding some of the old layers you’ve collected over the years. I’m not talking about compromising your self, not by a long shot. I’m talking about letting go of some of the stuff you’ve always projected to the outside world.
It takes balls, but take a look into the dark places of what may not be serving you anymore and shed it. Just leave it there and move away like the snake.
If you’ve been keeping up some sort of persona that really isn’t you, or isn’t you anymore, shed it. You may be young, in a midlife crisis, or in your later years – wherever you are in life this continues to apply. If nothing changes, nothing changes.
If you have an attitude or prejudice that’s starting to show some cracks, take a step away. It doesn’t own you and you don’t have to attach yourself to it anymore. You could worry about what others think but you wouldn’t be living your life then would you? Perhaps shedding what others think is a good place to start? And just like I’m sure the rattler feels, this will seem a little weird at first and certainly different. But it’ll also feel lighter and you’ll breathe easier. It’s amazing how heavy some of our old layers can be.
To become the man you want to be takes continual growing and shedding. Don’t hang on to stuff that isn’t working for you anymore and enjoy the freedom that letting go of it gives you. Just shed it. Cheers.
