What Strength is For

At The Good Guy Project, we strive to live according to our values. We think that articulating what you believe in is something every group–and individual man–should do. We use the acronym S.I.M.P.L.E. (Strong, Insightful, Mindful, Purposeful, Loving, Emotional). In this issue, we want to talk about the first virtue, strength. 

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” — Ernest Hemingway

Strength is a tool. 

We think one of the best ways to use our strength is to care for others. Protection is, after all, just a strength-based form of love. As President Obama pointed out in the summer of 2025 on a podcast entitled “Focus On What’s Right About Young Men.” He said:

At its best, [protection] counterbalanced the idea of being strong. Like you're strong not to pick on people. Not to be a bully, not to dominate others. Instead, it's strength in order to protect.

At heart, true strength lies in connection, vulnerability, and reliability to our families and communities…and to ourselves.

Still Building: Each issue, we share something about life that’s still hard for us. 

There’s a narrow window of time each night that my wife and I have to talk about family logistics. Even so, it’s still hard to walk in the door from work and launch into discussions about household expenses, incomplete tasks, and pending decisions. Even going in prepared to be positive and collaborative, it still often feels harder than it should. Or maybe this season of life’s just hard from time to time. 

A Question to Consider:

Are strength and vulnerability connected? How do they show up for you?  

Something To Try: 

Go do the unglamorous or difficult task at home or for others. Run the errand, fix the thing, fill out the form. Don’t look for praise or recognition–do it as a form of caring. 

If you do give it a try, email us and let us know how it went!