As we advance in the spiritual life and in the practice of systematic self-examination we are often surprised by the discovery of vast unknown tracts of the inner life of the soul. They seem like great plains stretching out in mystery and wrapt in mists that sometimes for a moment lift, or sweep off and leave one looking for one brief instant upon great reaches of one’s own life, unknown, unmeasured, unexplored. Men stand at such moments breathless in wonder and in awe gazing upon these great tracts upon which they have never looked before, with kindling eyes and beating hearts; and while they look the mists steal back till all is lost to sight once more and they are left wondering if what they saw was reality, or the creation of their fancy. Or sometimes they see, not far-stretching plains which fill the soul with an awestruck sense of its expansiveness and of how much has been left absolutely uncultivated, not these plains but mountain peaks climbing and reaching upwards till lost in the heavens, echoing it may be with the voice of many streams whose waters fertilize and enrich those small tracts of the soul’s life which have been reclaimed and cultivated and which many a man has thought to be his whole inner self, though he never asked himself whence those rich streams had their source. Now he sees how their source lay in unmeasured heights of his own inner being whose existence he never dreamed of before. In one brief instant they have unveiled themselves. He looks again, and they are shut out from his eyes, there is no token visible that he possesses such reaches, such heights of life. The commonplaces of his existence gather in and crowd upon him, the ordinary routine of life settles down upon him, limiting and confining him on all sides, the same unbroken line measures his horizon, such as he has always known it, the same round of interests and occupations crowd in upon his hours and fill them, the pressure of the hard facts of life upon him are as unmistakable and as leveling as ever, bidding him forget his dreams and meet and obey the requirements of the world in which he lives. And yet the man who has caught but a momentary glimpse of that vast unknown inner life can never be the same as he was before; he must be better or worse, trying to explore and possess and cultivate that unknown world within him, or trying—oh, would that he could succeed!—to forget it. He has seen that alongside of, or far out beyond the reach of, the commonplace life of routine, another life stretches away whither he knows not, he feels that he has greater capacities for good or evil than he ever imagined. He has, in a word, awakened with tremulous awe to the discovery that his life which he has hitherto believed limited and confined to what he knew, reaches infinitely beyond his knowledge and is far greater than he ever dreamed. -From Self-knowledge and Self-Discipline by Basil William Maturin,
Have you ever experienced such a moment? Suddenly you caught a glimpse of your infinite possibilities-time seemed to stop, your heart skipped a beat, your breath caught in your throat…perhaps you had such a moment when reading the above passage! And then the phone rang, the voice of a friend cut in, your hunger for a Twinkie made itself known. Just as quickly as the curtain was drawn back on your panorama of potential…the vision closed. And your ordinary life marched on, keeping you too busy to think, “What was that all about?”
So here’s my proposition: In 2011 let’s stop turning away from those moments and ignoring what we know to be true about ourselves and our potential as men. Instead, let’s set our sights on becoming more than what we are, on becoming superhuman.
What It Means to Become Superhuman
Becoming superhuman, that certainly sounds interesting…but what does it even mean anyway? Is it a silly idea, something only reserved for comic books and science fiction?
I think we all know what it means to be human. That’s easy. But while we throw around the word “super” a lot, you’ve probably never thought much about its meaning. So let’s take a look at its entry in the Online Etymology Dictionary:
“from L. adverb and preposition super “above, over, on the top (of), beyond, besides, in addition to,” from PIE base *uper “over.”
So if super means going over and beyond something, being superhuman means living a life over and beyond that of the normal, average person. Being part of the top percentage, the human elite, who refuse to accept mediocrity in any aspect of life.
Every Man a Superhero
Of all the superheroes in popular culture, I’ve always been most drawn to Batman. While many superheroes come by their superpowers through genetic blessing or freakish accident, Batman is a regular guy who gained his superhuman abilities on his own. He studied science, perfected his body, sharpened his mind and powers of deduction, and utilized technology. He became superhuman through his own effort, adding to his powers element by element.
While such a transformation might seem like a flight of unrealistic fantasy, it’s really not. While we may never quite approach Batman’s level of prowess, we can build ourselves into men whose abilities far surpass that of the average joe. Don’t believe me? Then take the time to read the Houdini post we did a couple of weeks ago. Houdini was an ordinary man who through the force of discipline and hustle taught himself how to escape from any handcuff, chest, prison, straitjacket or safe in the world, hold his breath for almost four minutes, fly one of the first planes in the world, endure freezing temperatures, untie knots with his toes, and charm the pants off of ordinary folks and dignitaries alike. He kept the goal of becoming superhuman ever before him and he attained it.
The Whole Man
Becoming superhuman involves reaching for ever greater heights in all areas of our lives: physical, mental, moral, and spiritual.
The average man spends his days as a sedentary lump; the superhuman man strives to keep himself in peak physical condition.
The average man rarely cracks open a book after college; the superhuman man is dedicated to lifelong learning, constantly feeding his mind with books, magazines, and newspapers and studying a wide variety of topics.
The average man cheats and fudges here and there; the superhuman man makes his word his bond and lives every day with integrity.
The average man is content with surface pleasures and material goods; the superhuman man explores the greater depths of life through meditation or prayer.
Getting Started on the Path to Becoming Superhuman
So we should strive to become superhuman in all areas of our lives, but such a task sounds, well, super-overwhelming. The reason many of us ignore the kind of moment described in the introduction is that the vista of our potential is both beautiful and enticing and overpowering and paralyzing. It’s a vast landscape that stretches outward and upward. “How will I ever be able to explore all this territory?” we think. Getting started seems too difficult, so we’d rather stay where it’s safe and comfortable.
The key is simply to take the first step. Don’t think about tackling every aspect of your life at once. Choose just one peak to climb, and once you’ve scaled that mountain, you will be strengthened and able to see things from a new view, leaving you ready to explore other areas.
But which peak should you choose first?
Deep down you know which one to pick. It has always stood in the middle of your life, inspiring you with its majestic heights while mocking you with the fact that you’ve yet to reach the top.
Still don’t know which peak I’m talking about? Have you ever had this experience?
I believe that there are few people who have not at one time or another in their lives been startled by the power of self-revelation that comes to them through other people. I do not mean the judgments of others passed upon them…I mean the flash of light which often pierces through a dense fog of self-deception or of misunderstanding of oneself, merely from the presence of another. There are few of us I think who cannot say to someone: “You have been the light of my life.” “In thy light I have seen light.”
Surely it is so. You have come for a moment into the presence of one whose life is a silent but most eloquent rebuke of the inmost tone and temper of your own life; and as you stand within the radiance of such a presence you feel at once what you ought to be, what you might be, and what you have failed to be. Had you been told what now you see, you would not have believed it, nay, you would have protested with honest indignation that the criticism was most unfair, but standing there in the presence of one who reflects in a remarkable way those virtues in which you specially fail—your characteristic failures hidden as they are from your own eyes—you see and judge yourself. Such is the mysterious power of personal life. In his completeness you see your own incompleteness, in his success, your own failure. A person—in all the strange attractiveness of character comes before you, the incarnation of forgotten ideals and of unrealised ambitions, smothered and stifled under a rubbish heap of worldliness, selfishness, sloth and the living image of what you perhaps once dreamed you might be—pierces through all that overlies and weighs upon the soul and calls forth a faint reflection in its mirror. In seeing what you might have been you see what you are. -Self-knowledge and Self-Discipline
I know this has happened to me. I’ll meet someone who has an amazing level of some virtue or strength, to the point they’re truly radiating it, and when I encounter them and partake of their aura, it stirs a dormant desire within me; a part of myself I’ve shoved down and buried awakens to exclaim, “I too could live a life like that!” All the rationalizations for having been too lazy or too fearful to work on that part of myself evaporate in the presence of someone who could have made the same excuses but didn’t. This happens a lot as it concerns my spirituality. I get spiritually lazy and then I encounter a man who radiates intense spirituality, and I think, “Holy crap, I am seriously missing out here.”
It’s a humbling experience; it makes your stomach sink and leaves you feeling kind of depressed. Why am I not like that? Why have I wasted so much time in my life? And from this sinking feeling, two outcomes are possible-1) you can keep on kicking yourself and pitying yourself until the demands of day-to-day life dull that prick in your heart and you forget about your desire, letting it grow dormant until the next time you encounter someone who uncovers it once more. Or, you can use that prick as motivation to take some kind of step, no matter how small, toward making that desire a reality.
If you’ve had this kind of encounter, then you know exactly what area of your life in which to start working towards becoming superhuman. It is your biggest mountain peak, the one that has always beckoned to you; it is your unique center and calling as a man; it is your place to begin the adventure of self-improvement. This is your foundation as a man: once you make that area of your life the way you’ve always wanted it, that will give you the power and confidence to tackle the rest on your journey to becoming superhuman.
Remember this maxim from Marcus Aurelius:
If anything is possible for man, and peculiar to him, think that this can be attained by thee.
Ponder that.
Conclusion
People always want to know-what is manliness? As I’ve said before, my definition is really quite simple: striving for excellence and virtue in all areas of your life and fulfilling your full potential as a man. It mean stretching yourself, testing yourself, and ever seeking to become everything you can be. That’s what embracing the Art of Manliness is all about: improving every area of your life-big and small-learning the know-how to be confident and competent in every situation and the knowledge to live life more fully. Living the Art of Manliness is about wanting to be more than the average guy, and striving to be a superhuman man.
Won’t you join us? Who’s in?
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“The average man cheats and fudges here and there; the superhuman man makes his word his bond and lives every day with integrity.”
Really? That is the highest expectation of an Everyman or Average Man? Not where I grew up. Speaking the truth and being kind were always expected. Not that we were perfect, but these were the “average” standards.
Brett,
It sounds like a good challenge for a new year. It matches perfectly with my goals for this year. I’m on board.
I’ve been reading AOM for 2 years now. Best article you’ve yet written. Thanks for running such a great site.
I’m in. This is a very excellent and motivating article. Thank you!
Excellent post! It reminds me of Benjamin Franklin and his 13 virtues. Knowing that he couldn’t change his entire being in one moment, he outlined 13 virtues that he wanted to attain in his daily life; first being the foremost on down to the last. Over a course of time (he elaborates more in his autobiography) he wanted to wean out all of the erratas from his life… little by little. And even though he may never reach his desired outcome in this life, he would come all the more close to it by daily discipline. Highly recommended reading, and again, excellent post!
“women want to be loved and men want to be admired”
… to be honest the only thing i expect of anyone is to be a decent human being.
Excellent post, Brett and Kate!
Again, thanks for keeping up with AoM. It’s a wonderful daily dose of inspiration to be the best man I can be, always striving for excellence.
I’m a recent college grad, working two part time jobs and holding two volunteer positions with two non-profits, while I start my own business. This is the year to be superhuman.
Really brilliant writing, guys.
Cy
Brett, I have only just found AoM in the past two or three weeks, but it has inspired me to better myself. At first this seems like a noble sentiment (at least to me it does), but then I realised something that I had been feeling deep down for a while now, I bored with the way my life is going, the constant monotony of school work (I’m 17 and already bored with my life, depressing now I think about it) and the idea that I have to prove myself to others to be accepted as a ‘good student’ irks me. Yet I see no other way of moving onward than accepting this as a down point in life and hoping that it will sort itself out eventually, at which point I will be able to move in my own direction without the burden of other peoples expectations and demands holding me back.
If anyone has any ideas on ways to get me out of my ‘slump’ they would be greatly appreciated, but other than that I look forward to what AoM will become in 2011 and would like to thank Brett for all his hard work.
Harry
I just want to say thanks for the Inspiration. We all have to start somewhere, but that’s not it Be a man and complete something and then move foreword.. There is nothing wrong with striving to be great, honestly that’s what the world is lacking more of just Great men in general. I know one thing, I’ll be punching in everyday when it comes to working on life…
This fits pretty well with what I’ve been thinking about lately, self-improvement-wise. I’m in.
My peak seems near impossible for a 17 year old to accomplish, and will definitely take longer than a year. I’m going to put those concerns in the back burner for now. Time to start making more films. I’ll be on top of the mountain with Scorsese one day
Great post. I’m im.
Well this is excellent. I must say I have had moments of inspiration like this since giving up alcohol. I drank far too much and it was affecting my career and my marriage. It was extremely difficult, but following the example of people who had succeeded before me, I severed my detrimental relationship with this substance, and I feel like at least twice the man I was before. The stores of energy I never knew I had, the concentration, the capacity for remembering, learning, analyzing. Physically I’m in better shape than I was ten years ago.
I used to think people could not substantially change for the better, but now I have the example of myself to disprove this.
Thanks for the post.
I’ll join you in this quest. Thanks for the inspiring read.
I’m in too. Just like John Wright said, this fits perfectly with my new year’s resolutions, most of which were also given me by you, so, thank you. I just discovered this site a few months ago, and I’ve always had a little of the spirit embodied in your site in me, but already your articles have made what would have been a really terrible 2010 into the start of a lot of self-improvement. Thank you.
How could I refuse a guy who’s a fellow admirer of Batman? Of course I’m in.
Speaking of the Dark Knight, anybody else who’s a fan of this particular hero? Every week my local bookstore holds the latest issues in the various Batman comic book titles, and occasionally I make forays to nearby large cities to visit their comic shops and fill in the blanks in my collection, plus get some more arcane Batman titles and miniseries that aren’t carried locally. After six months, I bring a stack to my son down in Milwaukee and he reads them.
I have spent not a little time and money studying the warrior ethos in recent years and to me, Batman represents the ultimate modern-day warrior. He belongs up there in the pantheon of fictional warriors with Achilles and Beowulf.
Count me in!
I’ve sent the old cape and tights to the dry cleaner and am ready to hit the ground running this year!
Hell of a way to start the new year. Count me in.
I’m in Brett, Kate. This s the year I will quit smoking cigarettes, trim my waistline, and build strength instead of excuses, forge memories instead of regrets.
Think on this though; is it Batman you admire, or Bruce Wayne? For myself, Tony Stark will watch over me with this bobblehead I keep on my desk.
You know what book Batman is reading up there?
The Art of Manliness Handbook, of course.
Great post, Brett, as usual. Very inspiring way to start the new year.
Cheers
I became an AOM follower over this past summer. This post correlates precisely with what I want to accomplish in 2011. Great post!
I am very inspired by this post. I really needed to hear this, thank you!
I felt as though I was a lonely traveller before starting to read your site, about two years ago, (not quite that long) and now I see that the road holds others and some of them light the way. Thanks Brett and Kate (and wee bairn).
I am not sure about the spirituality messages. I assert that superhuman-ness can be achieved with out super-naturalism or super-stition. I would even argue that shedding our bronze aged religious baggage would be a pre-reqisite but… I have seen superhumans who are also men of faith so… Happy New Year.
I really feel that no matter how good you are at your job or a husband deep down you know there are multiple ways to be a complete “man”. I accept this personal challenge.
Here are my areas of improvement
1. Job, I’m a teacher and a good one, but I want to take the leap to great.
2. Health, get in a routine of healthy life style. Eating, exercise, reflection
Thanks, Brett and Kate, for becoming super-human when you did, and for sharing all the previous content you have posted here, in addition to this one. I am in, as well.
AoM is an irreplaceable guide on the finer points of manliness, and I am a better man, I am sure, for visiting here when I do.
Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2011 for your family!
A whole article on the Overman and no mention of Nietzsche?
I urge you to read aphorism 276 from Book IV of Nietzsche’s “The Gay Science.” It’s all about the right attitude for the start of a new year.
I’ve really enjoyed your site over the last year. It’s often whimsical, but as often serious. Lots of great practical advice, as well as no nonsense pointers. But you lost me here, with this post.
I have serious issues with the invocation of the “super” prefix, particularly in this sort of context. Its not worth going into all the reasons why, but I suspect you and some of your readers know what I mean. My life experience has taught me that the greatest expression of manliness is to be whatever and wherever those whom you love need you to be; very difficult and very average. There’s no need to be anything more.
Perhaps I would not have reacted quite so negatively, had the quotation come from a writer less strongly and identifiably Christian. And perhaps that is my own baggage. So let me say this: I respect your work with the site, and have benefited from its contents. But if this is where you’re going, I’m not going along for the ride.
All men should strive to become more than average
Thanks for the great post – I’m in! I’ve had such glimpses of the “vast unknown tracts” of my soul before, and I’m determined to traverse that first one. Tomorrow I’m spending an hour in a floatation tank (sensory-deprivation tank) with that specific goal in mind.
I Recently discovered this site. For a variety of reasons, the Art of Manliness was lost, or never ingrained in the first place for many people. To excel on all fronts, to drop the negativity and laziness, to focus on the life I want to create, to live the life of virtue, I’m in! On my deathbed, I will be able to say that I directed the energy of my life well. No regrets.
I’ve been reading this site for reasons I couldn’t put my finger on. I think I’ve found them. Not to mention you made most of my intangible thoughts tangible. Thanks man. Keep writing.
Everyday it is an honor for me to read the articles on this fantastic site. I feel I have grown exponentially over the past year with the advice, wisdom and guidance on the AOM. It’s a joy to feel a part of such a supportive community and I am grateful for the knowledge it has imparted on my life. Heres to continuing to strive and become a better man not only in the upcoming year but always. Thank you.
I think from this point on after reading this of course I’m going to make my self a better person a better man really I’m only 14 but this website makes me think and want to be an alround better person and I thank you for this. Also like I said me being only 14 this gives me a head start to being a great man and I am encouraging my friends to start reading posts and to get them to buy the book as well
Amazing. I’m in. Only 20, so I don’t have a lot of life to complain about. I do have yesterday’s eve though, when I played a video game for 5 hours ;)
Fantastic article, as said above: the best I’ve ever seen here.
I’ve been following your site for most of 2010. I thought I’d list a few of the ways I’ve grown as man this year; learned how to use my grandfather’s wooden pipe, participated in the Kiwi Photo Contest, acted/still acting on the 30 Days to a Better Man Challenge, and I just got your book for Christmas… I have been devouring it! I set out my resolutions for this year, and am doubly-inspired to follow through because of this post.
Thank you Brett and Kate, for your continued work and encouragement. I look forward to growing and sharing in Manliness for this coming year!
Brett and Kay, excellent post. I’m in. We should all strive to be more than average, and the New Year is the best time to start. Don’t let another year go by, doing the same old thing day after day, and thinking the same old way. Life is short, so let’s grab it by the horns and excel in 2011!
Count me in.
Very inspiring article Brent and Kate! Great way to start the new year.
Well done. As my man John Eldredge states “… Every man wants an adventure to go on, a dragon to slay and a damsel to save…”.
Let’s go….
Are you kidding dude??? I woke up this morning with this very issue on my mind! Why I had wasted so many years, the procrastination, the lack of focus. God bless you my man. We’ve got work to do! Thanks for the inspiration and your great efforts!
Amazing and inspiring read! I’m so glad I’ve found your site and its brilliant emails!
Although, as every man would, I was reading this thinking ‘how I could progress from where I am now?’; I’m proud to say that I am finding myself saying “I do this!” to a fair few of the ‘tasks’ needed to become closer to the man I wish to be!
Thanks for putting the whole concept into a digestible perspective!
I have been following this blog since the beginning and I am so happy to see another article of this quality. Sometimes I stand back and wonder how you do it, or where the next idea will come from, whatever you two are doing keep it up. You help more people than you realize and we all walk in this journey together.
It is an incredible find for me personally…
being a superhuman, excelling in all walks of life looks too demanding but is really important…
thanks for this well written article, it helped me in planning the year.
Very nice article and blog. Over the last year you have given me some thoughts of my “self”. Many people run & hide from their “self” but it is a true man or woman that face their “self” and become a stronger person because of it. God bless you in 2011.
Peace, G.
This is the best post on your site yet. This website just keeps getting better. Count me in.
Outstanding. You have to be awake all day anyway. Why not use that time to do your best. Thanks for the challenge (I accept!) and the assistance to be more mindful throughout the day.
This article is a perfect example of why I keep coming back here. I really needed to read something like this today. I’d even go so far as to say God prodded me to open the e-mail touting this article. I almost did not, but went ahead anyway because I’m feeling SO NOT superhuman today and the title grabbed me.
My son, in a dangerous job in the Army, leaves today to return to his unit. It has been so wonderful having him home. It is breaking my heart to let him go. Again. It doesn’t seem to get any easier.
Over the past month or so, I have decided to move beyond just believing towards becoming a disciple of Jesus. Since that decision, I have been under constant spiritual attack. What has been written here are the exact words I needed at this exact moment. I am motivated, and I thank the authors.
I’m in. And thanks to AoM, I’ve been on the pathway to excellence since I discovered this site last January.
The only word missing from your excellent article is “Apotheosis”; coincidentally the title of a book I am writing which explores the great potential of mankind.
Apotheosis means; a glorified ideal; elevation to divine status; and, the transformation of man into god.
This is no flight of fancy. It is what we are here on earth to do.
As Epictetus puts it;
“Implant in yourself the ideals you ought to cherish… regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.”
And Marcus Aurelius;
“Dig within. There lies the wellspring of good: ever dig, and it will ever flow.”
Keep up the good work throught 2011, AoM. The world needs the inspiration your site provides.
Well put AoM. I’m in!
And in response to my fellow brother “Harry” (comment #8); everybody around you just want to see you become “superhuman”. Use this as a challenge, instead of a burden. At 17, you have yet to see what life has instore for you. Kick butt at the academics, then kick butt at life……..
I am 68 and still striving to be that better man. Extremely well thought out and written, reminded me of the 13 Virtues but with a workable plan. Count me in!
Great job as always, thank you Brett and Kate!
Thank you for posting this… especially today. I have long struggled to push myself to become what I can be. Those around me would say that I am very accomplished, energetic, and focused, but I can be so much more. At this stage, on this day, I am contemplating the loss of a very dear friend, mentor, and inspiration to me. He was a super-human. Now I have the impetus to climb my mountains and claim my lands. Thank you for pushing me in the direction I always knew I should go.
I am in!
This is exactly where I want to go in 2011! I’m not exactly going to TELL people my resolution for 2011 is “become superhuman” though.
I have been following this site for a month or so now, and I am very impressed with all the content. This is just what I need for the year to come and from today I will aim to achieve the state of ‘superhuman’.
I am taking a lot of time to discover your older posts that i have missed out on, and i am loving them all, they have evoked a noticeable change in me in such a short time and I cannot thank you enough. It is good to know that there are others out there with similar goals and similar minds. You have reignited my believe in humankind.
Peace to all, and have a wonderful, prosperous 2011.
Brett
Truly inspiring. I’m in!
Great way to start off the new year. Count me in!
This piece should at the very least inspire in you an intense desire to knock out a few pushups in your workspace.
I did 50 without getting up.
I say do them every hour. And when you start that, start other exercises.
Truly excellent writing-above par to most articles I find on the internet these days. You guys keep it simplistic, conferring good self-analyzing thoughts and ideas, while keeping it grounded in solid quotes. Concise paragraphs, which stay on point and give it to you straight.
Thank you for the work and effort that you clearly put into each article; it positively affects the lives of men to a greater extent than anyone would think to expect.
Rad! A world full of men who are relentlessly improving themselves is a great goal and it is getting easier and easier to do it. If anyone wants to stretch and test themselves academically, MIT has made their curriculum publicly available and posted it online. You don’t get any degree or certificate, but that’s not the reason we strive to improve ourselves anyway.
http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
Thank you for that inspiring post. Many times as men we have to go inside ourselves and recreate the man we are on the inside so that we become more, better, greater, super. I’ve always believed that the key to unlocking our potential is to focus on developing qualities that refine and hone our personality. LOVE, JUSTICE, WISDOM & POWER.
LOVE. Love of self, love of others and their successesThis is no small feat. It is based not just on his feelings but also his principles. It will balance him to be empathetic at all times, yet firm when necessary. This means that he needs to learn to conquer the things that would stand in the way of him giving it to other persons, or prevent him from receiving it.
JUSTICE. He must have a strong sense of right and wrong based on a spiritual core that is deeper than just words. It must affect him in every situation in life whether in public or in private. He must speak truthfully and live with integrity.
WISDOM. A Gentleman must always remain in the active mode of learning by observing, questioning, and monitoring his motives, respecting and listening to the views of others while still staying true to his core values. He practices humility yet exudes confidence. He gives and serves by making himself available to assist others, especially those who cannot reciprocate his kindness.
POWER. He will develop the mental, emotional and spiritual focus to change the course of his life and those who he interacts with. This will come, not from an inflated sense of self, but from an acknowledgment of his weaknesses and a desire to improve. His status in life will NOT dictate this power because it will be forged from his will to control not the things around him, but himself.
In a word, a gentleman is balanced. He is generous, he is adventurous, and he is empathetic. He is cool & comfortable but kind & considerate. He cares as much about others as he does about himself. He is a student and a mentor. He is the master of his desires and a servant to those who he encounters. He shows Love, he has a sense of Justice & Integrity. He is Wise and has internal and external Power. All of these qualities are densely embedded in his DNA.
I will use this post as my hello to this website. I have been checking this out for the last month or so trying to piece together my wardrobe. This website is truly a must in the man toolbox. That brings me to reaction to your post. I had one of those moments recently where everything clicked into focus. I have struggled with my faith my entire life, I grew up in a family full of very devout christians and it was always a burden. I recently had the motivation to get back into church. It was not 2 weeks later that I found out I was to become a FATHER THIS SUMMER! I am convinced it was the big man upstairs way of showing me the true path of my life and that my child needed both parents to be in church not just their mother. Thanks for the great website and the awesome post!
Thanks for the great reading. I have been following your blog for a few months now and have enjoyed every aspect of it. Thank you for all the “reminders” of how and why I have chosen to be the man I want to become. It gets easy to forget and stop living a purposeful life these days. It starts with this new decade and I look forward to where I will be on January 2, 2021. I plan to look back on this day and remember reading this very piece and what I immediately planned for myself. Thanks again.
I’m in!
If you haven’t tried it; check out CrossFit. Intense workout regimen that has rejuvenated my body and mind.
I’m in too. This is an excellent article and exactly what I needed to read to start off the new year. Thanks for reminder that we can all be supermen!
Count me in. I’ve been reading since summer ’10, and I look forward to where the site will go this year.
This year I will: run (NOT walk) the Indianapolis Mini-marathon, and read through the entire New Testament, as well as vamping up my current reading regimen, hopefully to two books a month.
I’m gonna call bullshit on Batman. You want to talk about a superhero who was a righteous, strong, willful, and good individual before becoming a superhero, it’s Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern. He was called upon to be a strong, and fearless individual, laying his life on the line as first a military pilot and then later as a test pilot (a la The Right Stuff). Then, and only after that, he was tapped by the higher power, The Green Lantern Corps to be a light in the darkness, a sign of hope, and order and justice in the Universe.
While Batman was an obsessive sociopath. He was driven to madness when he saw his parents killed as a boy. His sense of justice was truncated at that age, and he still deals out that childish sense of justice with a complete disregard to the world around him. He holds sway of his city through fear instead of honor. He’s untrusting of those closest to him, and it’s bit him in the ass multiple times. Batman is loved by comic fan boys because they mistake brooding emo darkness as a replacement for depth and interesting characterization.
Otherwise, it’s a good article.
As a recommendation, if you’re looking for an article who would fit perfectly with the sense of Art of Manliness, reflecting both the traditional “golden age” values, as well as taking into account the modern complexity of the modern age, you should check out James Robinson’s Starman.
*gets off the soapbox*
Excellent article, I also believe that the acceptance of mediocrity and submissiveness is a main cause of our cultures obscure views of manliness. I combat this view in my personal life by always seeking the next adventure or opportunity that presents itself; no matter how difficult it might be.
Awesome, my friend was right, amazing. Time to become superhuman.
I enjoyed the article, thanks. It brought to mind a few things.
Firstly, this quote by Aristotle
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”
If we as men get in the habit of not cutting corners in our work and doing a daily or weekly random act of kindness, these simple steps could trend us toward one cut above the average man. Quite possibly toward the “superhuman” your article referred.
Secondly, Houdini the performer a.k.a. Erik Weisz the man was a Mason.
Lastly, I believe something else the authors were alluding to were epiphanies. I have had epiphanies from my inner searches through some of the Masonic things Houdini surely also thought about.
Name of the artist who painted the painting and the title of the painting if it has one please because the sight of it alone is enough to make me want to sit up and take over the world.
excellent job – thx brett!
Cyrano De Bergerac: “Oh! I chose by far the simplest path. . . to be in all things …admirable!”
In our current vernacular, “super” has taken on all sorts of either trite or supercilious connotations, … I much prefer referring to this quest as becoming an “exemplary” human.
I am so in.
Wonderful essay! Yes, becoming superhuman involves an intense effort at what Friedrich Nietzsche — who created the philosophical notion of the superman — called “self-overcoming.” It involves overcoming all of one’s weaknesses, be they physical, moral, intellectual or spiritual. Ultimately, this superhuman heroism involves overcoming our longing for happiness itself, which is way over-rated, in favor of glory. Yes, the average man seeks happiness, in whatever form it may take, but a superhuman seeks glory.
About a year ago, there appeared in “The Art of Manliness” a piece from Esquire called: “A Pocket History of Milton J. Wurtleburtle.” I remember how it disturbed me, for it was about a good man, who lived a happy, successful and ethical life, and yet there was something absent in his soul, that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. But now I know that it was heroic self-overcoming that was lacking in Mr. Wurtlburtle.
Every hero has a sense of his destiny, and to fulfill that destiny he needs to overcome himself. That’s the real battle, not over other people, but over himself. Yes, Batman may have been a noir hero, but he was a master of self-overcoming, as was Beethoven, Sherlock Holmes, Buddha, Teddy Roosevelt, Houdini, Gilgamesh, Soren Kierkegaard, and General Patton.
— Dr. Mark Dillof
http://www.deeperquestions.com
P.S. Thomas asked about the painting, at the top of the post. It is “Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog,” by Caspar David Friedrich. Many people believe that the figure in Friedrich’s painting is Friedrich Nietzsche.
Good bit of inspiration but nobody is going from average to super in 1 year. I count myself in line with this kind of mindset and the options are to either push yourself or not. Development takes discipline (yawn) effort, application, courage and all of these glamorous things. I would say we all have a best or ‘super’ us which is what Abraham Maslow talks about with self actualising but it is not easy to do and at times dishearteningly difficult. Its a mistake to wish for attributes that someone else has, which was mentioned in the article because we cannot all be all things. We can admire attributes in others and be inspired to develop a little of this in oursleves but unlikely to the degree to other people. We cannot be other people as we will always be 2nd best at this and best at being ourlselves.
This article blew my mind! I often feel like I’m less than I should be and then I remember that I’m only 22. I would agree with the last post here – the truth about discipline and improvement is contained within patience and determination. I would also add to his point and say we should strive to be the best at the things which interest us and not be disappointed when we are not #1 but be proud that we had potential and allowed our potential to be kinetic; and whether or not the manifestation of our efforts were the best, they moved beyond the potential (lazy) zone and that alone will make one better.
Excellent Article…Count me in!
You have my Axe!
Great article btw.
Thank you so much for all your wonderfully inspiring and encouraging posts. I have recently started a man-club made up of six guys who are embarking on this same type of manly endeavour, similar to what you called a Megamind group. We have used many quotes from AoM as motivation to continue growing as full men: physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually. thanks.
I’ve had two instances of a “glimpse of [my] infinite possibilities,” first when I developed my first black-and-white photograph and second was when I met my future wife. I am now a professional photographer and I am happily married.
Thanks for the article, it’s a good goal for 2011.
Yet another awesome article from AoM. This article has made me more closely examine myself and where I will take myself this next year. Im going to shoot for the stars, and will not land anywhere short of my goals. Thank you Brett and Kate for this site. God bless you all. Have a very prosperous 2011!!
Evan
amazing! One of my favorite articles yet!
It is so good to others besides myself- great zamboni- tackling these big questions with vision and real energy! bravo
As a 17 year old this site has given me some things that help me distinguish myself from my fellow adolescents; however, this article in its own right validated some of my own hopes and dreams. As of now I feel like I am years ahead of my peers but I know now that compared to the man I hope to become I am still in the womb. Count me in on this one.
Amazing post. So happens, it was the perfect moment in my life for me to read this. Truly, thanks.
This is considered and worthy advice, but as someone suffering a chronic illness, I’d settle right now for just being human. I’d love to glimpse my superhuman self, but just to push on through to the standards of activity that I had prior to this damnable illness would be a major success for 2011.
That’s not to denigrate any of the advice given on AoM. Rather, we all have different starting points. I find your site very helpful and uplifting. Only today, I had to write a sympathy note to a former neighbour whose husband has recently passed away. Was it hard? Yes. Did it suck having to do it? Yes. Did I follow the advice of the two AoM articles you posted on the very same subject? You bet. Now I feel like I’ve crafted something that might just fleetingly help to ease someone’s pain. One small victory in raising myself up to be an average human.
In the words of the zen monk “fetch water, chop wood”.
*rant over; thank you for your indulgence*
im so in.
Never thought will find such an inspiring post at the New Year. Count me in.
Hang in there Tubby Mike, you sound like an above average human to me… With an above average mountain in front of you. My prayers are with you.
I’m in by the way… For life.
I want to be this hungry for personal growth 20 years from now… Only much further along the path!
Been following the site for a couple months, first comment… great resource, thanks.
A
Reminds me of becoming Kevin Spacey from American Beauty. I want this badly.
This topics always fantasies you no matter you read as a child or adult ..or a child in adult
Sorry to nitpick:
“P.S. Thomas asked about the painting, at the top of the post. It is “Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog,” by Caspar David Friedrich. Many people believe that the figure in Friedrich’s painting is Friedrich Nietzsche.”
Maybe ‘many people like to imagine…’ It was painted in 1818 and Nietzsche wasn’t born until 1844… Beautiful theories, ugly facts, and all that.
Could you tell me where you got the picture from? Who’s the artist?
I am sorry, I didn’t see the post right above me.
I loved this post perhaps the most out of all of the AM’s posts, although every post is golden, this one really struck a chord with me. At this moment in my young-adult-life, self-discovery has been a pressing inner qualm & bright journey for me for quite sometime. Currently, I’m in graduate school, and ever since I was a junior or senior in high school, I’ve thought about mentally and internally ascending to a greater self for reasons, I am not too sure why. While my peers and friends fancy in the delight of drenching themselves in booze and spending late nights out on a daily-basis, I want to know who I can be and how I might become that individual…
Because 2011 is 5 days or so old, I’ve been trying to sketch or map out how I want to approach this new year with a seemingly newer me. By the time, I end this year and my tenure in graduate school in a couple of years, I want to have the ‘maniless’ term and ‘superhuman’ term well-defined as I make my way into the career world and adulthood!
That drawing of Batman made me laugh in a ‘ahhhh that’s awesome!’ way. Like that photo of Theodore Roosevelt sitting in the doorway of a cabin, holding a dog in one hand and reading a book with the other.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_01etL9fsTAU/TRurggquadI/AAAAAAAAFf4/voYmWFk6D_E/s400/TR+new+hero.jpg
@Adam
Thanks for your kind words. Good luck to you in your endeavours, Sir.
@Brett
I’m sorry if this post is out of date order, I’m getting some problems with out-of-date order views in this post only (not the rest of the site). Could this be an RSS issue with large numbers of comments? Just to let you know I’m not doing this deliberately.
Do not mock me for my age, but listen. I am 15 and all I’ve wanted to be was a Superman, so to speak. I am crazy in love with this girl, make no judgement, for who is to say when you may love? I have been wanting to better myself for her. She has never asked me or hinted to me to change in any way. I am not afraid to take a stand, and this article describes exactly what I’m trying to do. I also plan on joining the SEALs so I might be truly superhuman. Thank you so much for this article.
Gr8 post guys I have always wanted to be a better man. I am totally into bettering myself this year. I have 3 main goals this year, and I am going to conquer them, thank you for the uplifting post. It’s good to know others think the way I do.
Brett,
Count me in. Great post.
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