Real Men in photos or words - don't have performance issues

The Piano Player - Coney Island - June 2010

This is a new standard feature to HMR, Real Men...  In this reoccurring series, HMR explores the definition of Real Men.  Today, I want to explore real men who are not afraid of showing who they are in public.

There are many cliches about real men and their challenges.  One of the subtler challenges a man faces is belief in self.   They may develop performance issues if this doubt grows too big.  You may think I am writing about bedroom problems, which this could be part of, but I am looking at something beyond sex, beyond love.  I am writing about belief and faith in self.

To be a real man, you have to know what you know and can do and also know your limitations.  Almost every great man (and woman) know they have something special and have the confidence to go through with it.  This self confidence may be to take on a new job, release a new song, approach an enemy, say "I love you." or to just play a piano in public to a beauty sitting beside you.

We all have some things we are good at and others want to see.  I salute those who have the confidence to share that ability with others and not give in to the fear that they will fail.  Who cares if you miss a note or two, you still played your heart out and lived in the moment.  By doing that, you showed you are a man living in the present and are not afraid what others think.  You don't just think about it, you did it.

Photo note - This photo is from Coney Island, New York.  The great city of New York sponsored an art installation piece by Luke Jerram called, "Play me, I'm yours."

Presented in NYC with Sing for Hope, 60 pianos were installed in public parks, streets and plazas in June 2010. Like a creative blank canvas, the pianos were there for any member of the public to play and engage with.  Streetpianos.com

This guy playing came over with sheet music, sat down, and played for the beauty to his left for half an hour.   Now that is a real man.