I really don't like how myspace bulletins have invaded facebook, but I can't help but read them. It's like a car accident. It's horrible, but I just can't look away . . .
I was reading a post today and one of the questions was "strong in mind or strong in body?" I thought this was an interesting question because it brought me back to the first days of this class when we were discussing what is a mind and what is a body and which has dominion over the other. The answer to the post was "strong in mind" and my first implusive answer was also "strong in mind." Why do we value this so much?
When I think of the kind of men I'm attracted to, they are always strong in body. I'm totally into the "hero" type (whatever THAT might be!). My ex-husband is a Soldier. Although he's skinny as a rail and probably only weighs 130 pounds soaking wet, he's stronger than a mule and could easily pick me up and carry me around and I outweigh him by . . . well, let's just say I outweigh him :). My most recent boyfriend is a former marine. He's also really into weight lifting. He dead lifts 405 pounds. He amazed my brother by pretty much carrying a dryer upstairs by himself. Why do I tell you these things? Because I say I would rather have someone "strong in mind" when in reality, strong in body is significantly important in my attraction to someone, but even with that reality, I would not say that this is the more important that strength in mind. Why, you ask?
Because these men are also strong in mind. Perhaps these men are even stronger in mind than the majority of the men I encounter and that is why I find them more attractive.
Perhaps "strong in body" is a manifestation of "strong in mind." It is a tangible, extrinsic value we can see and touch. It is evidence that substantiates our initial belief. A person who is strong in body is rarely of natural strength. A strong body implies self-discipline, the ability to sacrifice the hedonist calling of humanity, the ability to put "other" before "self", which, let's face it girls, is a rare commodity in a man. To me, a "strong mind" is one that can exert control over one's actions. A "strong mind" can check impulses, can exercise restraint. A "strong mind" does not act without rationale.
What would your answer to this question be? What do you think "strong in mind" means?
Posts
I, too, am guilty of being attracted to the strong in body. I like guys who can carry my couch up three flights of stairs to my apartment or fetch me a refrigerator. I have my girlfriends for strong in mind moments. In my gender communications class, I learned that when guys do things like that, though, guys like to do things for their girls. Now that he's older and fragile and can't do things like that, he says, "Testosterone is a terrible thing to be inflicted with." It's the same sentiment as when you go shopping with your girlfriends and you pick out clothes and stuff for each other. Or at least, I like guys who like to show off, too ;)
ReplyDelete