Depression

Daily Meditation #166–8/7/2022

Men.

We are very likely to suffer from depression.

It’s okay to be depressed.

But. You’re right — you don’t have to share if you don’t want to. I understand, it’s our nature to have a Stoic disposition and to want to stand up tall as defenders and leaders.

Take pride in it, seek confidence in it.
But know it’s also okay if you aren’t feeling good about yourself all the time.

We are 4x more likely to commit suicide vs women, so it’s no joke that our Shadow sides can get the better of us.

I get it.

The world has turned against us in many respects.
It seeks to rob us of how we are perceived.
It paints us to be dominators and forces of malevolence.
It wants to destroy us from within, poisoning our testosterone with addictions to pornography, shit food, and telling us that it’s okay to be losers.

But — we aren’t losers.
And we shouldn’t act like losers.

And being depressed or suicidal DOESN’T make you a loser — it simply makes you a man.

A man who thinks, and therefore “is,” in the Descartian sense.
It means you feel. It means you live.

So, though the world is screaming for our metaphorical heads and seeking to bind us in chains, keep your stubbled, squared chins up.

Be there for one another.
Acknowledge and raise the others up.
Protect your testosterone and manhood with a good diet and enough movement.
And protect those who you care about.

Seek pride in the virtues that make you a man.

Be strong.

— —

To any men who read this, I am here for you if you do ever need help. You know that. Happy to listen or to advise.

Let’s stand tall — together.

“Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.”

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These are distillations from my coming book “YouDaimonia: the Ancient Philosophy of Human Flourishing.”