Welcome.
So… hypothetically speaking… if a guy who doesn’t read blogs decided to start one, would you read it? What if the content was completely erratic? Fitness, soul, relationships, adventure, travel, business, family, etc… all with steady dose of spirituality. What if aforementioned guy was an expert in exactly none of the listed content? In fact, what if his struggles and failures far outweighed his successes? Would that even interest you?? If so, GREAT! I’m your guy.
In all seriousness, I’m doing a thing. I’m not really sure what it will become, but this is the beginning. Part of me is terrified that you already think this is lame and have stopped reading. But there is also a part of me that knows… like, deep down knows… that I have something to say. And maybe, just maybe it will help somebody. So here I am, equal parts terrified and hopeful, building a platform to engage and inspire men. Blog, social media, podcast, YouTube… we’re eventually going to take a stab at all of it to see what sticks. I have no idea where this will go, but I guarantee you one thing, at least one of us is going to have a good time. Ha!
Why “Reborn”?
My first decade “adulting” I made a sincere initial run at this thing we call life. That ended up crashing and burning in epic fashion circa 2013-2016. I lost everything. When I say that, I kind of want to grab you shoulders and gently shake you to emphasize the significance of it. I. Lost. Everything. I was Edward Norton in the final scene of Fight Club, dramatically bleeding out while watching the towers of my life collapse all around. Was it me or Tyler Durden? The answer… yes. As horrific as that season was, something beautiful happened. I met me. You see, for some awful reason, the clearest mirror can sometimes only be found in the lowest of places. For me, that mirror was buried deep! It took my complete undoing. The catholic mystic, St John of the Cross, named this experience the “Dark night of the Soul”. (As I think back on it I cross myself and I’m not even catholic!). From that low place I began to transform… not overnight, but gradually and in the most organic way. And this ‘rebirth’ was and has continued to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
So, take a walk with me. Wherever you are in your story, maybe we can learn something from each other. We can reflect on the past, engage the present and dream about the future. If you’re currently spiraling, perhaps I can offer you some hope and possibly even direction. If you have it all together and are thriving in every facet if life, PLEASE walk with me and teach me the way! No matter your current situation, you weren’t meant to journey alone.
Finding your mem.
MEM - - - I promise it’s not a typo. “What’s a mem?”, you say? I’m glad you asked! If you have made it this far then you have probably noticed our logo. It’s a simple shape but actually carries a deeper, hidden meaning. Its outline is the sans serif form of the ancient Hebrew letter ‘mem’ which translates “deep water.” [Dad, the undergrad degree in dead languages finally paid off!] There is an old proverb that says “the purpose in man’s heart is like deep water [mem] but the man of understanding will draw it out.” Here’s the deal, if you are a man, then the you that’s really you - the truest version of you - probably isn’t readily accessible . Family life, social and professional pressures, and ever-increasing responsibilities tend to keep us outwardly performing but rarely inwardly searching. When we aren’t living out of core identity, we tend to become fragmented. The fragmented man is successful financially but distant from his family. Or brilliant with his kids but drowning in debt. He’s in the best shape of his life but a stranger to his own soul. Sound familiar?
I’m 40 and just now finding my ‘mem’. Failure and trauma led me to my own deep water. I’m just now beginning to draw it out and still have so far to go. Let’s get to know each other. This is an invitation into my own messy journey as well as some other folks that are on a similar path. Who knows, after a few weeks of interacting, you might feel completely normal!
We’re starting with a weekly newsletter.
(By “we” I mean “me”, but “we” sounds so much more impressive)
Monday, August 29, it’s gonna be on like Donkey Kong. The first edition of The Monday Mem will hit the inboxes of everyone I’m related to, my three friends and maybe YOU! Content will be as scattered (but hopefully authentic) as I am. If you want to dip your toe in the water, sign up below. I dare you…
Subscribe!
(you know you want to)
@rbrn.co
