tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post2081564217168054238..comments2023-12-11T20:18:37.225-06:00Comments on Shattering the Silence: Shadow BoxingRoger Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591791342062150604noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post-44832932314188760002014-10-26T06:22:34.773-05:002014-10-26T06:22:34.773-05:00Thanks, Roger. I had those same feelings. All I ev...Thanks, Roger. I had those same feelings. All I ever wanted was to be a man, but felt less than a man because of what happened to me. God has been gracious to put godly men in my old age who are genuine friends. I am at ease with them. I give God all the credit and praise.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your feelings. I've found it a good thing to share, and I thank Cec for providing this venue for us.<br />Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post-59529066413024054322014-10-25T14:03:19.356-05:002014-10-25T14:03:19.356-05:00Excellent comment, Roger. If there was a male manu...Excellent comment, Roger. If there was a male manual, I didn't get a copy either. <br /><br />But, like you, through the loving support of friends and God, I've been writing my own manual.<br /><br />Cec Murpheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06151061579255432985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post-19527470511510849382014-10-25T13:58:30.652-05:002014-10-25T13:58:30.652-05:00I'm so familiar with the feeling of 'less ...I'm so familiar with the feeling of 'less than'. It's a shadow I've dodged all my life. I grew up feeling like there must have been some book on how a boy/man is supposed to act; filled with things he should know and skills that every boy is just either born with or develops naturally if they are normal. <br /><br />I did'nt get that book. I scrambled awkwardly through life, observing, comparing, mimicking as best I could all the 'normals', hoping to fit in, hoping no one would see I was different, freaky. <br /><br />Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't but even when it did, I always knew it was a lie. Worse there were always some who seem to see right through it leading to more shame, guilt and feelings of 'less than'. <br /><br />I'm better now, thanks to God, counseling, celebrate recovery programs and the love and support of my wife and friends. The ghosts of those feelings still drift in and out from time to time leaving me feeling insecure for a time and wondering if it will ever completely go away. <br /><br />I no longer trust what I feel, I trust what God says about me and that has brought balance and stability I never thought I would ever experience. <br /><br />Just my thoughtsRoger Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591791342062150604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post-91152067089294337502014-10-25T13:52:09.467-05:002014-10-25T13:52:09.467-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Roger Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591791342062150604noreply@blogger.com