Maxim Monday: Honor Good Men

Last updated on: February 17, 2014 at 9:21 am by Niki Whiting

Maxim Monday: Honor Good Men 2014-02-17T09:21:15-08:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This Maxim is likely using the word ‘men’ to mean humans. (Any Greek scholars want to help me out here?) So, yes, let’s honor good people where we find them.

We can get caught up parsing the word ‘good’ and wonder who among us is truly good? Everyone has a flaw, a blind spot, or something dishonorable in their past. Yet, we should honor the good we want to see more of in the world.

On that note, I’d like to honor a good man in my life. It’s a few days after Valentine’s day, a ‘holiday’ I don’t observe, at least not in the ways that mainstream card and chocolate makers would like me to. I’m gonna get mushy and honor my husband and partner, Adam Blodgett. He is a good man.

Adam and our daughter, about 8 months old at the time, in Wales.

Adam and I have been through the mud of relationship. I have seen the less-than-good parts of him. Yet none of these things can obscure his goodness: his ability to nurture, listen, support. He has always, always been there for me and for all of his friends. When it comes to community, he stretches himself to put his values into action. He gives to charity, offers to support his friends, and makes time for his family. He works hard to support of a family of four, even when it feels like an uphill battle. He challenges himself to seek his own betterment and greater self-care so that he not only has more to give others, but also to support his own unfolding work.

Adam also challenges himself to face his own privileges. As an educated, able-bodied, cis-gendered, straight white male, he actively seeks to understand how his privileges impact his life and the lives of others. I see him struggle with how he can best use his privileges for the greater good – or how he can get out of the way, so that others might benefit.

As a father and partner, all of these qualities are of the highest good. I am proud that my kids have such an involved and ‘good’ example of what it means to be human in the world. I love that they see him cry and nurture, pursue his art, work towards greater self-care, and struggle with being in the world. I love him in all his complexity.

I honor the good man in my life – and all the good men out there.

Previous Post

February 12, 2014

Pantheacon: Health and Hygiene

Next Post

February 20, 2014 Pantheacon 2014: Biggest Pagan Tea Time Ever

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alaska altar altars Ana Ancestors Anderson witchcraft Arddu Bhairava Biography bodies books Christianity Christmas community current events death Delphic Maxims Dhumavati dual observance Durga Faery family life feminism Feri Feri tradition Feri witchcraft food ganesha gratitude Guest Post guru health Hinduism holidays Jesus Kali Lakshmi land links magic Many Gods West movie review movies music my heart mystery myth Navratri Orthodoxy pagan pagan culture paganism pantheacon parenting Place politics polytheism practice pratice prayer Red Goddess review ritual sacred arts Samhain Saraswati Shinto Shiva singing Star Goddess Tantra tarot the Gods theory Uncategorized values virgin mary wales washington winter witchcraft year in review yoga

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who gave birth to Moses?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Orpah Keturah Merab Jochebed