September 2008
 

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short time ago, I started to closely examine the sexes as they engaged in open conversation among themselves. I wanted to determine whether men actually spoke authentically about their fears, failures, and overall feelings in a public forum. Derek, our audio visual specialist, remarked that men secretly yearn for such a forum like Table Talk as long as it allowed for raw emotions, a frank exchange of ideas among men. Of course, I questioned the idea, but was curious to see ---if given a forum to talk about their feelings would they?

Testing the assumption that men secretly yearned for a forum such as Table Talk. We turned this month Table Talk over to men for discovery.

I discovered that the majority of men that we polled can and will discuss their hidden selves publicly. They come across persistent, yet yielding on topics of love, marriage, and family. Their expressivity is eternally hopeful; often their language is strong but soft spoken when revealing personal idealisms of manhood.

Yes, I know that you’re thinking that several of the men you know {fathers, sons, husbands) have a preconceived phobia of being misunderstood or negatively pigeonholed (as weak, soft, etc.). This is the reason they give for not having personal discussions publicly. And of course, I know many men in and outside of my family for whom this is true.

This helps me understand that the stage is only set for a frank discussion when men are comfortable with self, their surroundings, and being the company of other men. This also, similar to us women, men turn on the facet and the conversation flows. It’s like running water moving slowly towards a joining waterfall. Men like women reveal their deepest feeling and fears when the atmosphere is comfortable.

Ladies, join us in making room for our men’s self-disclosures. If they want to have guys over to watch the game, let them. What better place then …at home? You may find that you too, need these very things for self expression.

Blessings,

Chap