Sometimes, only a few words are needed. This is one of those times.
This month, I’m reminded of why I do this work, the work we all do.
It is because I care about men. I care about people. When I take the time, that is.
When I take the time to really care, to pay attention, I get involved. I ask questions. I listen. And I act.
Sometimes, that shows up as inviting a man to come be part of MDI. It could be an invitation to a team meeting, an event like The Art of Masculinity or Legacy Discovery.
Photo by Intricate Explorer
It could be a fun event — just to get a man out of his cave, perhaps ease his loneliness. When I’m in touch with my care for another human being, I act. And I am alive.
That practice of caring shows up all over the place but, lately, I’ve had way more opportunities to care than I bargained for.
Photo by Francesco Ungaro.
First, one of our men was in a serious car accident. That meant trips to the hospital, getting him what he needed. It meant making sure his wife was cared for, too.
Then, I learned a dear friend was diagnosed with lung cancer, was actually headed to surgery. More texts. More calls. More care that wasn’t on the schedule.
Another man I know well got the news that his wife would likely not leave the hospital alive. More just being there. More simple caring without really knowing how it might make a difference. There was nothing I could do. The act of showing up was the care.
Image created using Gemini_AI software.
Part of Doug’s Journey is teaching men to care in mature ways. It’s a journey I am still on but I know I wouldn’t — I couldn’t — be who I am without the training, coaching, and care men have shared with me. That’s a big part of what we do.
Image created using Gemini_AI software.
So, keep up the caring men. Sometimes it’s all we can do.
And it makes a difference.
About the Author
Chris Christopher is the sitting president of Mentor, Discover, Inspire (MDI),
an international non-profit men’s organization dedicated to mentoring men to live with excellence, hence to become better husbands, fathers and leaders. Christopher earned a bachelor’s in economics and political science from Northwestern University and a law degree and MBA from the University of Virginia. He is a partner at Darden Brothers, a private equity firm he co-founded in 1995. It is, among other things, the largest independent battery distributor in Canada.
Christopher lives in San Diego, California, and has two adult children.
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