Imagine a world where men didn’t have to carry the weight of silence, a world where they could express how they feel without judgment and where tears aren’t seen as weakness but as a form of strength.
I didn’t grow up with any brothers. My world was filled with strong, nurturing, expressive women, but I was blessed with an amazing father. He was kind, dependable and always present. His strength was steady and gentle at the same time, he led with quiet confidence and loved his family deeply and that left an imprint on my heart.
Fast forward to today. I’m surrounded by men I love deeply: my husband and our two incredible sons, two wonderful sons-in-law and the next generation, my precious grandsons. Through them I’ve been given a front row seat to the quiet strength and unseen pressure that sometimes comes with being a man.
Society still tells men to be the soldier of the family, stay strong, hold it all in and push forward no matter what. Yes there is still something deeply admirable about being dependable and protective, and yes it’s still so nice to have the door opened for me and I’m grateful for those gestures of care, but what I love even more is being part of a team where we share each other‘s strength with love and respect. In our family we try to create a space where our boys and men can feel, speak openly and just be.
I want my sons and sons-in-law to know they don’t have to carry the world alone and I want my grandsons to grow up in a world that embraces their whole hearts, not just their strength, but also their softness. It’s time to let go of the ones that teach men to suffer in silence, because real strength is found in asking for help; not incurring the load, but in knowing you don’t have to carry it alone. Take time to celebrate all the caring men in your life, as I do; I will always have fond memories of my dad.
Tune into the brighter side of life and business with Kim Pagano Saturday mornings to start your day in a positive way. Download Kim’s podcast, The Kim Pagano Show. Sign up for Kim’s newsletter and next business mixer at https://breakthroughtoyournext.com/0225-reg.