What can a brother do for me?
(He can be your eyes when you can't see)
What can a brother do for me?
(He can help me be the best man I can be)
This is just a short theory of mine: When we leave ourselves unchecked, we always stray away from who we want to be. Now this theory is vague because it can be used for anyone who follows any belief. (I think everyone believes in something.)
The metaphor that I would usually use to put this into words is that “men are like lions” – left unchecked, a lion will attack anything it considers as prey. A lion has to eat. In the same breath, if a man is left unchecked, he will go after any female he considers having. Much like the lion, the younger and weaker are easiest to prey on – barely any energy exerted, and usually not much of a fight. Of course, the occasional challenge is always accepted.
If a lion is tamed, it will still eat; however, it won’t have to attack its prey. And if a man trains and conditions his mind, he can control his urge to go after any female he considers having. He can still have a woman (women, for my polygamist friends) but there is more consideration put into his selection process.
Another metaphor to explain this theory is that “life seems to be represented by a person in the ocean.” If you let yourself float, you drift further and further away from the shore. Little effort is required, you need not pay any attention; all you need to do is enjoy the ride. It is only by actively swimming that you make your way to the shoreline. Work is required to get to shore, though. Have you ever drunk a mouthful of sea water? Urgh!
Someone who believes in God (the God of Jesus) knows all too well that if left unchecked, we return to our old sinful ways. Someone, who believes that the universe sends back what you put out, knows all too well that if you’re lazy and put little effort into life, the universe has very little to work with and send back.
Regardless of what you believe in or where you are or where you want to go in life; effort is always required. Work is always required. Consideration is required. Consideration of others is required. Because if left unchecked, we will drift further and further away from the greatest versions of ourselves.
*Cues The Best Man I Can Be by Ginuwine dem*
