Stories About Trying to Be a Better Man

From the category archives:

Character

When Faith Gets Hijacked

September 11, 2011

I consider myself a Christian. If I’ve never mentioned that to you before, it’s probably because I’m afraid of your preconceived notions about that word – many of which are very fair. People who claim to be Christians have at various times been responsible for some of the most racist, disgustingly homophobic, and tragically violent [...]

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Reflection Without Action

September 7, 2011

Lately I’ve been in the habit of rising at five in the morning. This is no easy feat. I’m typically a night owl, and I’ve had to force myself to go to bed early in order to get up. Why, do you ask, would I inflict this kind of pain on myself? Because when I [...]

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Lessons from #20SBSummit: Get Up and Get to Work

August 23, 2011

I’ve been to a few blogger conferences now, and I always seem to approach them in the same way: I enter thinking I have nothing new to learn, quickly realize that’s not true, and leave inspired to write and do big things. This past weekend I attended 20SB Summit, and it was no different. I [...]

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The Water Between Your Toes

July 16, 2011

It’s Friday afternoon, 5 o’clock, and the end of a very long couple of weeks. For various personal and professional reasons, the last few weeks have seen me tabling many of the things that are most important to me, including spending quality time with my family, and writing here. But now that intensity has calmed, [...]

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Pixar Says Persist

July 5, 2011

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Fathers Are Not Good People

June 13, 2011

A certain pending holiday has me thinking somewhat philosophically about what it means to be a dad. In many ways it is just a title. Father’s are (forgive me) born every day. Their level of activity, good or bad, in their children’s lives has nothing to do with that title. They are fathers whether they [...]

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Indiana Jones and the Horseshoe Island

June 7, 2011

Over Memorial Day weekend, the wife and I took a trip up to Door County, Wisconsin, which is filled with little towns, little antique shops, and more than a little pretense. I didn’t mind it though. I was just looking for a little unplugged relaxation time. We quickly remembered however that my wife and I [...]

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The Next 20 Years, and the Paradox of Choice

May 17, 2011

It’s a time of new beginnings in the Gardner household. Spring is in the air, and as it begins to warm up – more gradually than we would like – Chicago is emerging out of hibernation, us included. We’ve finally been able to take advantage of more sunny days, including going on bike rides with Miles. [...]

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How to Hold Off Invading Armies

April 25, 2011

I’m one of those annoying people you meet that loves their day job. It’s all at once the most challenging and rewarding place I’ve ever worked, and it affords me many opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise. But just like any object of love, it requires a care and attention that takes time away from the [...]

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Why the ‘New Macho’ is Old BS

October 5, 2010

When last week’s Newsweek came out, I had about 10 people send me a link to this article about re-imagining masculinity. I was excited to read it. I thought, finally a media outlet that gets it. Finally, some mainstream attention for men that can move the dialogue forward. And this article could have done just [...]

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