Manly lessons from the most powerful man in the world.
“4 more years” tweeted Obama, posting a photo of him and Michelle.
The re-election of Barack Obama to four more years of the presidency of the United States has been received differently. Most people, especially non-Americans, are happy with the outcome as they felt they could not trust Mitt Romney.
Regardless of how one perceives America, its foreign policy or Obama himself, there are some great things about the guy that we just can’t ignore.
His victory also showed that the President has got strength of character and the ability to earn the trust of millions of people. These and other things are skills every man should have, and here I list the ten things every man-and woman- should learn from Barack Obama.
10. Believe in Yourself
The art of achieving is the art of believing in oneself.
9. Stand Firm
Obama showed the world that if a man knows what he wants and fights for it he will get it. The president refused to be inconvenienced by little things like birth certificates. Likewise we should not be blown of course by trivialities.
8. Acquire Wisdom
Being a man means having wisdom in all matters of the world- financial, social, political , spiritual or otherwise. A man must never be left out of a conversation because he does not know the number of players in a soccer team or which continent Brazil is found. A man should not be parochial and limited- President Obama is president, plays basketball, studied law, reads poetry and writes books and does other things besides.
Associate with the wise
Read and associate with the wise.
7. Stay Human
Obama smokes outside a family hut in Kenya
Irrespective of his social status or the car he drives, a man must remember that he is not God, or a ‘god’. A man must never forget that he is a mortal just like the rest of humanity. He understands that he was not born president, CEO, General or pastor.
That means smiling always, humility, apologising when he is wrong, knowing where one came from, taking a walk, remembering the people in your life-even those one sees as unimportant-and being thankful for the little things in life.
6. Inspire
President Obama is an inspiration to millions of people. He showed the world that with the right amount of determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Teach, Lead by Example, Inspire. Even a simple greeting, a helping hand on the stairs or a smile- these are the little things that change other people’s lives.
5. Black People Can (Don’t Be Held back by Stereotypes and History)
Don’t be held back by the past, don’t be trapped by the past- learn from it, use it’s invaluable experience and visit it but DON’T stay there.
4. Date for Love, Marry for Love, Stay true to your Partner
Not much to say here. A man’s commitment to his partner must be total and no one does it better than brother Barack.
“Michelle, I have never loved you more.”
-Obama in his re-election speech.
Nuff said.
3. Stay Healthy
President Obama does the most manly exercise ever- the PUSH UP.
President Obama runs 3 miles and works out for 45 minutes six days a week. On top of that he plays basketball almost everyday.
Health is a lifetime thing; it is much more important than wealth, and personally I’d rather be as poor as Diogenes than be wealthy and fat. A man must not look like a pregnant woman, regardless of his financial standing. Rich or not, a man must make his body a top priority because he is stuck with it forever. A man must know how to swim; he simply is not allowed to die for lack of swimming skills, especially in swimming pools or small lakes. Equally important, a man must be able to run a few kilometres before complaining and breathing like a donkey.
Drinking and smoking is not bad, some consider it manly to drink regularly, however at no point must beer and cigarettes compromise one’s health.
2. Keep Your Faith
Believe, Believe, Believe!
Believe in whatever you want but keep that faith. If you believe in God, Allah, Buddha, the Ancestors, a Rock, the Sky or whatever your personal convictions are then you should be proud of those beliefs. This does not mean a man should be mean and insult other people’s religions; a man must respect even those who have no faith.
1. Love your family
Here is what I consider to be Barack Obama’s most important lesson to all men: Love your family, totally and always. While a man may choose his friends and lovers at will- or according to his social and economic conditions- a man’s family, just like his body, is a lifetime thing.
“And I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago.
Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation’s first lady. Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you’re going up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your mom.And I’m so proud of you guys”
For a son of the soil like me, this is more important than anything else the brother can teach us.
“Being married to Michelle, and having these tall, beautiful, strong-willed girls in my house, never allows me to underestimate women.” –President Obama
Reflections Of An African Youth 