Heartstone Journey

Live courageously from your heart!

  • Channels +
    • Leadership
    • Dads Do Matter
    • Life
    • Faith
    • Community
    • Quotes
  • Resources +
    • Articles
    • Series
    • Podcast
    • Get The Book
    • Quote Cards
    • My Tools
  • Speaking
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact

7 Habits To Help You Man Up

7 Habits To Help You Man Up

We are on a collision course with the the demise of our culture as we know it because there is an epidemic of men checking out! Far too many men have no direction or vision in life, are becoming emasculated at an epidemic rate and are scared little boys that have never crossed over into authentic manhood. In today’s postmodern culture the meaning and image of true masculinity is seriously getting diluted, tainted, watered-down and completely lost. Unfortunately the narrative that’s being played out today is ‘boys in men’s bodies’ with only a few wanting to be men…but not exactly knowing how, while others remain nonchalant.

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character.

-Stephen Covey

A common theme is that’s emerging is men and boys have become increasingly confused about their identity and role in today’s society. Fathers are not passing the mantle, media portrays men as incompetent, and society praises the “castration” of men. This subtle message has increasingly influenced the collective unconscious with devastating repercussions and young men have taken the bait of adverse societal cues as an excuse to avoid responsibility and never grow up!

For those young men who feel rudderless in today’s postmodern culture, here are some habits that will set you apart from the decaying norm and kick start your journey into authentic manhood.

Continue Reading

August 22, 2017 Filed Under: Life Tagged With: courage, featured, journey, leadership, stepup

What Guardians Of The Galaxy Can Teach Us About Fatherhood

What Guardians Of The Galaxy Can Teach Us About Fatherhood

Recently saw Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 and it was just as enjoyable and fun to watch as the first one. I’m a big fan of the larger Marvel cinematic universe, but the Guardians of The Galaxy storyline is one of my favorites.

Spoiler Alert

I love the sci-fi mixed with humor theme’ing — even if Drax’s laughter feels forced at times. There is also the camaraderie, stunning visuals, and the of course the epic soundtrack. If you’re a fan of the last Guardians movie, there’s no reason to think that you won’t find this one just as good.

We have to start at the end and roll it back a bit to highlight one of the deeper themes in the movie. Peter’s (Star Lord) coveted Walkman gets busted and Kraglin (Yondu’s right-hand Ravager) gives him a “new” music player as a replacement. The epic joke is that he got a Microsoft Zune. Kraglin shares that Yondu always expected Peter to come back, so he picked it up for him while at a space junk sale. After being in awe that this new player can hold “300 songs?!” he scrolls through the menu and, like he did at the end of the last movie and fires up a track — “Father and Son.” from Cat Stevens

Let’s unpack the deeper theme of “Father and son” from the movie…

Continue Reading

May 16, 2017 Filed Under: Community Tagged With: dad, featured, journey, kids, leadership, life

Moms, You’re Holding On Too Tight!

Moms, You’re Holding On Too Tight!

Unfortunately we live in a time where the “accepted normal” is kids having to grow up in a fractured family due to divorce or without fathers who are active in their lives and often the heavy lifting is unfairly burdened on the mothers. The other unintended consequence of this trend is the dilemma of weak or emasculated men reaching epidemic proportions in society…where many are asking, “where have all the men gone?”

Because of this, I’ve noticed that mothers are becoming more over protective and controlling of their sons, which is causing significant tension when it comes time for them to stretch their wings and leave the nest. The other dynamic that’s rearing its ugly head is these sons are finding it harder to cleave to their wives and step up to lead in their homes. Too often I talk to men who cannot make decisions for themselves or their families, have no real direction or plan for their life, choose a path of passivity and are paralyzed of their future. They are carrying a broken compass and have absolutely no mission in life!

When you dig deeper into these issues, you can often connect the dots to not having a fully present father figure in their lives and/or a mother who never allowed her son the opportunity to stop being her “little boy”. Of course a mother’s efforts are well intended, but they unknowingly stand in the way of their son’s father (or father figure) ability to provide a path for them to become men by keeping their “little boys” under their constant protection and control.

To all the mothers out there who doing much of the heavy lifting these days…

Continue Reading

April 11, 2017 Filed Under: Community Tagged With: featured, God, journey, kids, leadership, life

Quotes To Kick Your Masculinity Into Gear

Quotes To Kick Your Masculinity Into Gear

In today’s postmodern culture the meaning and image of true masculinity is seriously getting diluted, tainted, watered-down and completely lost. Unfortunately the narrative that’s being played out today is ‘boys in men’s bodies’ with only a few wanting to be men…but not exactly knowing how, while others remain nonchalant. 
 
Wanted to share a collection of quotes that are some of my personal favorites to help you to kick your masculinity into gear! 

Continue Reading

February 28, 2017 Filed Under: Community Tagged With: courage, dad, featured, heart, husband, kids, leadership

Why Leadership Was The Game Changer In Super Bowl LI

Why Leadership Was The Game Changer In Super Bowl LI

Wow, what an amazing game!

Viewers, social media, the mainstream media, and fans at Super Bowl parties across the nation thought Super Bowl LI was going to the Atlanta Falcons as the game clock ticked away into the third quarter.

After a disastrous, and quite painful-to-watch first half for the Patriots, the pundits said there was no chance the Patriots could recover from their deficit.

The Falcons now have a 91.6% chance of winning Super Bowl LI. Live analysis: https://t.co/mk4bqHgeQr

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) February 6, 2017

Then…

Continue Reading

February 7, 2017 Filed Under: Leadership Tagged With: featured, leadership, life, success

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 15
  • →

Favorite Quotes

Life is hard! When you enter into relationship with God it doesn't make it easier, it just means that youre doing the hard stuff with God. -Tim Young

Cool Scripture

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Never Out Of The Fight!

Get Heartstone

Get the book

Resources

  • FREE Heartstone poetry e-book
  • Heartstone Series
  • Heartstone Press Release
  • Book Recommendations
  • Podcast Archive
  • My Tools
  • Home
  • Archives
  • Media
  • Contact

Copyright © 2011–2025 | Heartstone Journey

Privacy Policy  ·  Permissions  ·  Terms of Service