Sisyphus Smiles: Bear the Burden.
I was having a bad day today. There is no real reason—just one of those heavy, inexplicable moods that drift in like a storm with no forecast. We all have days like that. The ebb and flow of life. Highs and lows. Joy and weight. We know this. Still, when it hits, it doesn’t feel ordinary. It feels like failure.
What made it worse was the lack of any clear cause. Nothing was technically wrong. I had no complaints worth voicing. I have food, shelter, family, friends. I have God. I have more than enough reasons to be grateful. And somehow, that made it all feel heavier—not lighter. The guilt crept in: You shouldn’t feel this way. You’re fine. What’s wrong with you?
That’s when the self-judgment started. That inner voice sharpened: This is on you. You're the problem. Snap out of it. So I tried. I gave myself the pep talk: “This happens.” “You’re okay.” “You’re a man.” “Keep moving, soldier.” “Chin up, chest out.” I could summon all the old-school masculine slogans to steel myself—to reclaim my edge.
I even did the ritual: opened TikTok and let the motivational firehose run. Goggins, Rogan, Peterson, Jocko—all barking truth into the void, daring me to rise. And I did feel lifted for a moment. But the hollowness was still there. A stubborn ache under the noise. And then I remembered something deeper—something I’ve been slowly uncovering through the spiritual work I’ve been doing. Something more true than discipline or hustle. Something that doesn’t shout but whispers.
Several months ago, I prayed in solitude inside my church. I asked God to reveal anything he wanted me to know while contemplating. The key message I got from that contemplation was as follows.
“Step out of yourself and serve others.” Step out of yourself and serve others. What does that even mean? To me, the message was clear. Stop worrying about yourself, your trials and tribulations, and your struggles, and focus on what you can do to help someone else. It’s pretty simple when you boil it down.
Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
I may be struggling, but someone is always out there who has it worse. This line of thought is not meant to diminish my feelings. I still feel them. But I do not let them control and dictate my actions. I do everything I can to overcome them; if I can’t, I separate myself from them. The best way to cheer yourself up is to do good work that makes you feel good about yourself and who you are as a person.
We all have our issues. In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius has a journal entry where he begins with light despair for his current situation. He immediately catches this feeling and challenges it, coming to the conclusion that he is happy for this trail. The reason is that such a trial will make him a better person. He is also happy that it happened to him and not someone else who may not be as strong or capable of dealing with such a situation.
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed to us."
This verse is often used as a reminder that whatever pain or hardship we're facing now is temporary—and that something infinitely more significant and beautiful is ahead. It’s a powerful message of hope, endurance, and perspective.
It’s all about fostering joy in the trenches. Just as Albert Camus said, “One must imagine Sisyphus to be happy.” The pursuit is what gives life meaning. The development of character is what makes us fulfilled. And while the fire may feel hot while in it, we come out as a stronger tool because of it.
We must always aim for these qualities within ourselves. Divine Masculinity is strengthening these characteristics. Obtaining these desirable virtues. Being:
Protective: Keeping loved ones safe from harm and injury at all costs. Sacrificing ourselves to protect others if need be.
Provider: Make available for use; supply. Provide. Give others what you can, regardless of how big or little that may be.
Purposeful: The reason for which something is done or created or something exists. Have as one's intention or objective. Living with purpose. Living with meaning. A reason to crawl over broken glass with a smile on your face.
Decisive: Settling an issue, producing a definite result, having the courage to make up your mind and stand by your decisions, and being the shot caller when needed.
Disciplined: The practice of training to obey a code of behavior. Remain consistent, persistently show up, attack whatever you try to achieve, and persevere through any circumstances.
Knowledge-seeking: Always striving to know more. A thrust for information. Always striving to be more intelligent. To understand the natural and spiritual world as best as you can.
Action-oriented: Willing or likely to take practical action to deal with a problem or situation. Less talk, more action. Doing something about an issue, not just talking about it.
These virtues aren’t just ideals to admire from a distance—they are daily commitments, sacred responsibilities, and the foundations of a life well-lived. Divine Masculinity is not about domination or ego; it’s about presence, power with purpose, and becoming a steady pillar for others to lean on. It’s not perfection—it’s pursuit. A man who walks this path doesn’t just change himself; he becomes a force that uplifts homes, communities, and generations.
