Every morning I go to the bathroom, shave, shower… Looking in the shaving mirror what would I like to see?
A newspaper report states that one in four primary schools – more than a million primary pupils – go to schools without any full-time male teacher. Experts warn of a rise in misogyny due to a lack of positive role models for boys…
I reflected on my teaching experience… men in the schools where I worked… good, caring men with different skills, characters, experience… positive role models for boys and girls.
When I look in the mirror each morning, I’d like to see a man who is a good role model to children and young people… to the middle aged… to the older folk of my generation.
In several recent conversations… men looking back over their lives… regret on mistakes made… events that have brought sadness and suffering… asking ‘What if…?’ wondering what course their lives might have taken with different decisions, jobs, relationships…
I reflected on the children’s TV character Mr Benn. In each episode Mr Benn, visits a fancy-dress costume shop, tries on a particular outfit (clown, spaceman, cook…), goes through a magic door and enters a world appropriate to his costume.
When I look in the mirror each morning, I’d like to see a man who accepts his past, and is content and comfortable with his present world.
In Beatles song ‘Help’ ‘John Lennon was expressing personal struggles, insecurities. When I was younger, so much younger than today…’ But it was the Beatles – young, confident and happy. Last night I watched Tina Turner singing ‘Help’.
I reflected on Tina Turner’s rendition. ‘Help me if you can, I’m feeling down…’ There was honesty, vulnerability, weakness. ‘Won’t you please, please help me?’ Tough experiences made her realise that she needs other people.
When I look in the mirror each morning, I’d like to see a man who doesn’t have to act independent and strong. Recognising his need of others, he can be weak, vulnerable and needy.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Enjoyed this, Malcolm. Hadn’t seen Tina Turner’s rendition, it is wonderful!
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I hadn’t, before last night, either, Dana. As someone who’d received so many knocks through her life the song seemed to have so much more depth.
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I agree!
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Thank you for sharing this with us. I never realized Tina Turner covered this song.
Occasionally a cover can outshine the original. I remember hearing Johnny Cash cover Nine Inch Nails “Hurt’.
The pain in the man’s voice is palpable. I could feel the regret that he had caused pain to those that loved him.
Sorry Trent Resner. The late, grate Johnny Cash turned your song into his own Mr. Holland’s Opus.
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I hadn’t realised till recently either. The Tina Turner and Beatles versions are so different I wouldn’t like to choose between them. I confess that the Johnny Cash version of ‘Hurt’ was the first one I heard – and so to me that’s the definitive version.!
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Good post! People need people! That is a good thing!
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They certainly do, Linda. We need each other often more than we admit to
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I know you wrote ‘ People need People ‘. But, since we are on the subject of songs, you reminded me of another great one: “People Are People ‘, by Depeche Mode.
Anyone know of any covers that would rival its outstanding original?
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The mirror 🪞 test for us nurses is key. We have our conscious, supernatural surveillance (if you hold to a particular faith), etc., keeping us in check. Ultimately, we must be OK with the person looking at us in the mirror. We have many systems to protect the patient, from licensure to continuing education. But with everything we have in place, our unique commitment to the patient’s well-being has earned us the number one spot, as the most trusted profession (last I checked, physicians were 5th). It is our number one contract, even above our employment. During our training, we learn to speak up even at the cost of our detriment, because even if we suffer, if we stand up for our patients, we can never be wrong. Great song. Thank you.
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It seems to me that it is the balance of confidence and strength with humility and vulnerability that enables us to be OK with ourselves.
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Wisdom indeed. My dad has Parkinson’s and other health issues. I keep pressing him to share that wisdom that comes from living life. I am glad it comes into my life from multiple 🙌 sources. Blessings Malcom.
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Had this conversation literally today. I call him often. He totally agrees with your wisdom.
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Thanks for that. It’s when I hear the same message from different sources that I have to stop and listen more carefully.
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Wow…this was literally the conversation with my grandmother. This is what I share: Proverbs 10:19 warns us that ‘In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise, James 1:19 tells us to be ‘swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’ – but notice it says ‘slow to speak,’ not ‘never speak.’ And Ecclesiastes 5:2 advises ‘let your words be few’ before God, but ‘few’ doesn’t mean ‘none.’
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