Man-Dysphoria

In order to devote to a man in peaceful partnership, I first had to deal with my man-dysphoria.

It's something I might contend with for some time, returning men to their energetic right-size.

I was taught, like most girls learn, that men are somehow larger than life.

I was taught: Men are smarter than me and know more things.

I was taught: Where I falter, a man will have a plan.

I was taught: Men's power far exceeds mine, so the impact of their behaviors, especially on me, will be far greater than any impact I might make on them, greater also than my ability to heal.

I was taught: Men are tougher than me so my worst vitriol will roll right off him.

This man-dysphoria keeps us all trapped and disempowered.

Men do not *actually* have this power, and when we treat them like they do, we have impossible expectations of them, they're failing and we are disappointed, and we have lower expectations of ourselves, we don't need to solve it because there's a man around.

This man-dysphoria is antithetical to Devotional Partnership, which is secured by the intimacy of being in love with what IS.

In devotion, I can only relate with a human man, and I am committed to relating with the fullness of his humanity.

When I relate with a human man, I engage the sacred principle of humility. Whereas pride and shame says limits should not exist, humility offers that each limitation represents an asset.

I healed my man-dysphoria because I started to recognize the assets that men's general limitations represent, as well as honor the assets represented by any individual man's limitations.

In the light of his limitations, my power clarifies itself, showing the way it is the complement to his.

When I started to see the asset of each limitation, my entitlement and demand healed, my expectations became more realistic, and I felt more gratitude for men.

With my gentle eyes on the asset of their limitations, men report feeling deeply relaxed around me, at ease, at home.

They offer me what they have because I recognize and receive what they have rather than seeking out what they don't have.

The men in my life all fall in the same category—Worthy of My Attention, and I receive what I desire of what they have to offer like, “Yes, thank you, Something Like This.”