Live Life Happy

By Dane Maxwell

The following is a true story about why I feel men were put here on this planet.

1 year ago, I was invited by my best bud Drew to plant gardens with at risk children in Des Moines.

While I was there I witnessed a horrific event.

“You stupid bitch” …

My ears rattled and heart broke all at once the second I heard these three words.

Those words literally cut my heart.

I spun my head around to find a young boy (roughly 9 years old) in a “tiff” with a little girl.

I called the boy over, lovingly, and invited him to sit down with me…

I had no idea what I was going to say. I remember thinking “holy crap… maybe I shouldn’t have said anything? What am I going to do here?” … but something deep inside was guiding me in that moment… So I went with it.

The boy sat down next to me. Afraid. He knew he was in trouble.

I think he thought I was going to scold him.

No.

I looked at him gently and asked…

“Do you think you’re in trouble?”

“Yes,” he said.

“No, you’re not in trouble. I’m just calling you over here because I’m sad. You made me sad.”

He looked at me puzzled.

“Do you know why men were put here on this planet?”

“No,” he said.

“Men were put here on this planet to protect women.”

I paused a little…

“You are the strongest, biggest boy here. Do you know what that means?”

“No,” he said.

“It means that you are needed the most for this! It means you are the most qualified man to protect the girls here. From bad guys, from anything.

Do you know what especially hurts women?”

“No,” he said.

“Your words.”

He looked at me like in total focus. I had his complete attention.

“Do you think you can step up to this task, to be a true man?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Do you think you can protect women?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Why?”

“Because I’m big and strong and I have too!” he said.

I smiled.

I gave him a hug. He gave me a hug.

I was so present to this moment I completely forgot about it after it happened. It was gone from my memory.

On the drive home Drew asked me, “What did you say to that boy? He looked so happy and free after you talked to him!”

I told Drew the story. He said holy shit you have to tell this to everyone. It’s amazing.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes.”

One year later, it’s on my heart to share today.

So thank you to Drew Matthew Mainfeld for letting me know that these ordinary events happening in my life are actually worth sharing!

And Men. I invite you into the possibility that we as men are here to protect women. And that especially means their heart.

Take care of your girlies boys