I saw Man of Steel last night.
It was worth every penny and not just for the references to Kansas State University. It got me thinking; about men, sons, dads, strength, and honor.
There were four key men in the story: SuperMan/Clark Kent/Kalel, his father on earth, his father on Krypton, and the antagonist, General Zod.
Each man was strong in his own skin, but only three were men of honor, men marked by their commitment to care more for others than their own self-interest.
I know men like this and none of them wear a buff blue body suit or a cape.
They take nieces and nephews ice skating, they help friends move in or out of a place, they are PhDs and high school drop outs, and produce the key to the community center so that mid-way through a long run…well, I would have a clean loo to use.
It’s in the details.
It’s the everyday “ordinary” actions of a good man that make or break him.
Does he love his wife in ways that the kids can observe and understand? (statistically one of the keys to raising healthy kids)
Does he tell the truth? Cop to his mistakes? Ask for help?
Is it his way or highway?
Can he collaborate and work towards something that is important to someone else and not himself?
Is he transparent? Accountable?
How does he speak to people: his family, friends, colleagues, waitstaff…people in need who could never repay him?
Is his life bigger than his paycheck?