Glynis Ratcliffe wants men to know that they are worthy of love. Look in the mirror, men. Love yourselves, because we love you. Please see that.
My heart hurts, right now. You see, I realized something incredibly important, something that I have perhaps neglected in my own life too much. I am always talking about my self-worth, and the self-worth of new moms, focusing on telling women that they are enough. And they are, and that is so important to convey.
But I saw a video this morning that made me cry, and it wasn’t about women at all. It was about a man’s self-worth. The video was an excerpt from Luc Besson‘s Angel-A, a film from 2005.
Why does this seem so new? So incredibly important and not said nearly enough?
Women live a very public struggle with their self-worth. I know this, because I’m one of those women. But too many men quiet fight their own battles. Maybe their wife left unexpectedly, maybe they haven’t been recognized for the hard work they’ve put in at their job, or maybe they have quietly tried to support those they love and never gotten the support they need in return. But, they keep up appearances, because that’s what’s expected of them.
They need to be strong. They’re men.
This excerpt of Angel-A is unbelievably profound. So many of us take for granted the strength that good men are expected to lend to their loved ones. They stand up, and they hold up their worlds. They are so silently good to us, that we forget the care they may need from us as well. The reminder that we not only love them, but that they are worth being loved.
♦◊♦
So I am writing this, first, for the men in my life: You are worthy. You are worth being loved, and your wife, your daughter, your daughter-in-law, your sister-in-law, your mother, your friend? She loves you. So please, please, please do yourself the favor of loving yourself, too. I cannot express how important it is.
To the men out there whom I don’t know, who are also fighting this battle: You are also worthy.
Maybe there isn’t a woman, or another man, to tell you as much. For that, I am sorry. You deserve to be told. Because you can only be silent, and strong for others, for so long, before you break. Before the appearances you’re keeping up become too much to bear. Before it’s too late.
Take a moment and look at yourself in the mirror today. Really look at yourself, and see that you are worth being loved. Because you are. I promise.
Video: YouTube/candysaysII
Photo Credit: Getty Images
This post originally ran on Glynis’ blog, The Joy of Cooking (for Little Assholes) here.
Great post Glynis! Men are always supposed to be the rock and not talk about our feelings or what we need (emotionally), so I appreciate your great reminder and the powerful clip.
Glynis,
Thank you for this. It’s a reminder that I find I need all to frequently that I do not get. I’ve reached the too late point… I’ve surfed relationships and crashed into the shoreline unwanted and unappreciated… I’ve been the ship lost at sea, and the sailor who’s forgotten how to swim. Sometimes even a general statement to all good men everywhere.. sometimes that’s enough. So thank you, and love back to you 🙂
D.C.