My Childhood
Growing up, I loved incredible music, music that often moved me to tears. I loved reading comic books. I love reading news magazines and picking up on current events. I had a growing interest in science, history, art and the topic of new energy.
This was all at age 11.
I was a pretty sensitive kid.
From my childhood to adulthood, I would feel things deeply. Something said to me years from now would sit and cook in my soul for a long, LONG time; some things very good and some things awful.
So, I guess on the spectrum of tough and sensitive boys, I sat on the sensitive side.
A Sensitive, Creative Perspective
For example, you may have a son who is 110% into sports and athletics, specifically so, football. They are your rough and tumble guys. They are more about associating and just chilling with the guys in a manner as such, verbally and otherwise.
Or, you may have the son whom you would take to a football game, but to be honest, could honestly care less about sports. In fact, they would find something about the football stadium more fascinating than the game itself. I remember going to the Cowboy Stadium and looking at how incredible the structure was and getting facts on how they built the thing.
The sensitive boy (whom is often stereotyped as the boy who MUST be toughened up otherwise he’ll turn gay or something), is often VERY creative and experiences the world deeply around him. He is often bullied, teased and picked on for being “different.” Making friends can sometimes be quite difficult because while he’s into something that is typically more mature and higher functioning than the average child, his peers would rather do something that’s not quite his background or interest, let alone skill set.
This experience can leave a boy to grow up both bitter, depressed and disheartened. The very notion of him walking successfully into manhood could literally be obliterated.
Handling A Sensitive Kid, Building A Strong Man
But, the sensitive boy can still be grow to be a very strong MAN without compromising his personality, his heart, his talents and gifts and identity overall.
I had some family members and close friends who helped me to “MAN-UP” on some things, but not in the stereotypical or unChristian sense. Love on these different type of young brethren. Love on the young brothers who are rough and tumble too; they need it as well!
Accept the difference and embrace it! I spent a large amount of my life being teased and picked on for being the “different” guy, but, as time progressed those same individuals didn’t make it too far in life. The different and quirky should be loved and embraced. They should be reached out too, ministered too, helped and guided.
What a sad thing to see a someone try and build up a young man in an attempt to keep them from “turning” into something they might not like…and the reason not be biblical, valid or sensible!
Help strengthen their character in ways both realistic and relevant. The sensitive male can often be the one with the strongest resolve. They may be the one who may or may not be as physically tough, but, can be the toughest of young men when tests of life hit them!
Because…..
I wrote all of this because I’m tired of seeing so many young men being stereotyped into things. They are being mistreated, misunderstood and misinformed.
It is because of Faith in God and Christ, Friends, Family and people in my life who didn’t give up on me who helped me to become the man I am today.
I stood as the hurt little kid from years ago with a damaged self-esteem and a vengeful attitude.
I now stand as a creative, sensitive man whose tough with strong convictions. I do NOT cower or back down and I am NOT timid!
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