I am currently reading Steve Harvey’s book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.  I know I know, sounds questionable. But after much prodding from my very wise older sister, I decided it was worth a shot. Let me tell you, this book is the TRUTH.  I wanted to share an excerpt from the first chapter, which breaks down all we need to know about men. It’s lengthy but so worth the read.

Be enlightened:

“Men are driven by who they are, what they do, and how much they make.  No matter if a man is a CEO, a CON, or both, everything he does is filtered through his title (who he is), how he gets that title (what he does), and the reward he gets for the effort (how much he makes).  These three things make up the basic DNA of manhood-the three accomplishments every man must achieve before he feels like he’s truly fulfilled his destiny as a man. And until he’s achieved his goal in those three areas, the man you’re dating, committed to, or married to will be too busy to focus on you.

Think about it; from the moment a boy is born, the first thing everyone around him starts doing is telling him what he must do to be a real man.  He is taught to be tough-to wrestle, climb, get up without crying, not let anyone push him around.  He is taught to work hard- to do chores around the house, get the groceries out of the car, take out the trash, shovel the snow, cut the grass, and, as soon as he’s old enough, get a job.  He is taught to protect-to watch out for his mother and his younger siblings, to watch over the house and the family’s property.  Each of these things is taught in preparation for one thing: manhood.

The pursuit of manhood doesn’t change once a boy is grown.  In fact, its only magnified.  His focus has always been on, and will remain on, who he is, what he does, and how much he makes until he feels like he’s achieved his mission.  And until a man does these things, women only fit into the cracks of his life. He’s not thinking about settling down, having children, or building a home with anyone until he’s got all three of those in sync. I’m not saying that he has had to have made it, but at least he has to be on track to making it.

If men aren’t pursuing thier dreams-if we’re not chasing the “who we are,” the “what we do,” and the “how much we make,” we’re doomed.  Dead.  But the moment that we figure out the puzzle and feel like our dreams are taking shape, new life breathes into us-it makes us vibrant, enthuses, and animates us.

What I do is certain: comedy. And how much I make is right in line with what I’ve always wanted for my family and me.

And now, I can pay attention to my family. I can provide for them the way I’ve always wanted to, I can protect them the way that I was raised to, and in my family’s eyes, I am, unquestionably, a man.  Which means I have a clear mind when I go to sleep at night.”

-Steve Harvey

RIGHT?! This makes so much sense! All the men need is time to figure ish out. It’s ok, we’ve got plenty of things to accomplish and experience while they get it together. Thank you Steve Harvey for this mornings food for the soul.