The Makings of a Man

As I have gotten older, I have realized the importance of religion. While in undergrad, I was exposed to a variety of other beliefs that I never knew existed. I mean you have Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, etc. However, one thing that really baffles me is that with all these discrepancies in religions, people still have a hard time admitting that they made an honest mistake.

Admitting that you are not perfect should be a requirement in everyone's life. Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir, but I cannot recall anyone walking this planet as "perfect." As I type this, I think back on some of the mistakes I have made in my life. In particular, during my younger days, I used to think that everything would fall right into place in my life. Boy was I wrong.

Oh my goodness, he's got to be the sickest man in western New York

What intrigued me last night while I was watching SportsCenter was the audacity that one player had to say over a mistake he made. Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Steve Johnson, dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass in overtime of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers went on to win the game by a field goal.

Johnson was obviously upset after the drop as well as after the game. He had the audacity to blame God for his mistake. Just when I think I've heard (or in this case read) it all, something is bound to prove otherwise. I'm used to hearing people thanking God after a personal achievement, but to blame Him after a loss? That's absurd. I may be wrong, but I'm not real sure that God is overly concerned with sporting events or played any role in Johnson taking his eyes off the ball. I guess Johnson lives in a consequence-free world where all errors can be blamed on a supreme being. That's like me blaming God for allowing me to fail an accounting test; utter and complete foolishness.

I pride myself in being able to recognize the best in others. I see it as a testament of my taste level. I can’t stress enough the importance of surrounding yourself with energy that supports your goals. Older folks used to say, “You can’t soar with eagles if you’re walking around with chickens.” Unfortunately, I have encountered countless chickens thus far in life.

If there is someone in your life who is a straight up “chicken”, don’t cater to their foolishness, just press the delete button and move the cursor to the next website in your life. You cannot have any offenses or stumbling blocks along your path that do not need to be there. I know it’s hard to leave stuff, trust me, I know.
Sometimes when we hold on to stuff, we delay God from blessing us and it’s a lot like a leech, not helping us at all, just sucking all of the blood and energy within us. Once the leech has gotten what it wants; then it falls off, satisfied with its work.

The same logic can be applied when it comes to helping certain people, its okay to help someone, until it comes to a point where you become drained. God never intends for your helping others to become a burden to yourself.

You have to be careful, even if someone is putting the right stuff on the table, is that what God has called for you at this point in time?

It’s important for we (as humans) to understand the moment, the season, the context in which God has laid us in and who and what to be surrounded by.

I had to learn the hard way that there are some people that you just have to let go of and step aside—because they can obstruct where God is trying to take you. There have been times when I’ve had to separate myself from certain family members, childhood friends, and people in general who brought negative energy into my life. It’s not always easy, but very necessary.

If you know you are the best, it only makes sense for you to surround yourself with the best. NO EXCEPTIONS!

---Class Dismissed

From watching plenty of my friends, family, and fraternity brothers make several errors in dining etiquette, I've learned that people just don't know better. I think our communities don't really offer us the opportunities to know these very important societal rules.

So to start, here are some general rules:

1.) Do not start eating till everyone has been served their food or the host begins eating
2.) Do not use more then three sugar packets in the bland tea or lemonade. You don't have twenty packets all over the table.
3.) Acknowledge the people you're sitting with.
4.) Keep your napkin on you lap when it's not being used.
5.) Do not rush while eating, take your time and make conversation.
6.) Unless eating traditional Japanese food, use a spoon at all times for your soup. Do not drink from the bowl!!!

Below are some rules about your place setting:

1.) Your bread plate is on the left and your glass is on the right.
2.) It is customary to have two glasses, one glass for your water, tea, or lemonade and another glass for your wine or cocktail.
3.) When you have multiple forks and/or knives, start from the outside and work your way in.


---Class Dismissed

Short and sweet. Wear a condom people!!!! I can't say this enough. Unless you are: A) in a deeply committed relationship, B) abstinent C)with a death wish, you need to wear a condom/make your partner wear a condom.


There are two issues at play in terms of safe sex, pregnancy and STD's. I now have to contend with the idea that one out of four women I would do the horizontal mambo with would probably burn me. That's not right... not right at all. Women don't have it much better, with male STD rates nearly matching the female. I'll use common sense and realize that not everyone is forthcoming with their infections either. So whats that mean? Wrap it up!

The second issue is the arrival of a baby. I've never seen so many of my friends have babies, as I've witnessed this year. Nearly a dozen young women I know have gotten pregnant unintentionally this year, not including those who had abortions. Babies having babies

Here at The Makings of a Man, I want to help in every aspect of a man's social lives, so I give you five tips to help with the ladies. I will try my hardest to remain politically correct with this post. See most websites, when talking about pleasing women, often just talk about sex. While sex is great, there are some steps to handle before getting good love making.



5. Class with a little crast. Be a gentleman at all times but if she permits, show her a little freak from within. That means if she becomes affectionate then show it back, but don't be to pushy or you could end up lonely.

4. Carry yourself with some style. Don't be overly cocky!!! You gotta have some swagger, that's why she was attracted to you in the first place, but don't get full of yourself. I know you want to maintain your swag but stay the man of the relationship. Don't become the biggest metro in the world.

3. Be yourself. It's good to give your all and be on your A-game, but in the long-term you will be yourself. If you're playing to be something your not, eventually she will notice and then you're in some trouble.

2. Make her laugh. Now this is important. Make sure she is laughing with you not at you. Laughter is a beautiful thing and women love someone that can open up a big smile on their face. This also leads to point #1.

1. Make her comfortable. See a woman that is comfortable with you and in your house will be more comfortable to do other things (oh boy!!!). Seriously, comfort allows for a person to be themselves and to be open to your charm.

Turn down your damn music!

I know you want to bump a just released CD and let everyone in the world know about the set of 10" subs you have in the trunk, but turn it down. It's okay to blast your music when you're in the car with your boys or by yourself, but not when your trying to impress your new lady friend.

See, she wants to talk to you and get to know each other, you can't do that with "she wanna lick the rapper" pounding in her head. Now I even have a bad habit with this one, but I know I'm wrong. Some of you don't!!

Now there are ways to get around this: you're on a road trip, there are a bunch of you in the car, she turns it up (ohhh, this is my song), or your conversation is really wack and you're not ready for her to find out. See those are good reasons to blast your music. I know this one is hard, but when your new semi-sophisticated dime piece is in the whip relax the tunes. The thing is if she wants to really hear that song, she will turn it up. Then you can go crazy on it cause she's really feeling that track.

Lastly, stop driving by my house at 3am with volume on 40 and your windows down, some people may have to go to work in the morning!!