"The No Bull Briefing" - November 2023

 

THE NO BULL BRIEFING - November 2023 The Matching Gift Got a Booster Shot! Our annual end-of-year matching gift fundraiser is back and now we have TWO anonymous donors who are challenging Samson brothers to raise $70,000! For every new dollar donated between September 1 and December 31, 2023, our generous anonymous donors will match it dollar-for-dollar. We are currently 24% of the way to our goal of $70,000! Help us by donating today. Only new gifts through are eligible for the matching fundraiser. DONATE Support Samson Through Venmo All new donations made through either New Horizons or Venmo are included in the matching gift fundraiser. Just scan the QR code below with your phone to donate today. Walk the Path with Nate in a New Video Series Recovery is not a solo activity, nor is it merely a mental one. Join Nate as we work our way through all seven stages of the Samson Society’s Path, taking time for deliberate work at each stage.  Become a sustaning member of Samson House for only $7.95 a month in three easy steps: 1. Click the button below 2. Use the passcode NoBullBrotherhood to access the website 3. Create your account JOIN SAMSON HOUSE More Than 200 Guys Gathered in Texas Thank you to all the men who traveled, attended, and/or volunteered to help make this year's annual retreat a success. We are in the process of planning next year's events - so stay tuned! Invite Your Partner to the Sarah Society Retreat The Sarah Society is taking their annual retreat on the road and will be gathering at the luxurious and serene property of Jordan Ranch. Located an hour outside both Austin and Houston, Texas, this property sits on 88 acres of lush green fields and provides outdoor activities (including hatchet throwing for those ladies who need to discharge pent-up emotions), 5-star meals, fiber-optic high-speed internet, and an amazing hospitality staff. Our featured presenter for this retreat is Daring Ventures founder and Betrayal Recovery Radio podcast host Dr. Jake Porter. Invite your partner to join the ladies of Sarah Society for two-and-a-half days of soul restoration and encouragement. LEARN MORE Regional Retreat Opportunities Planning a regional Samson retreat? Let us know at samsonhouseoffice@gmail.com or drop it on the #upcoming_event channel on Slack so we can help you spread the word! Monthly Resource Corner Each month, Samson Society will promote a resource that you may find helpful on your journey. Feel free to share any podcast episodes, blog posts, books, or documentaries that you find enlightening!  Managing Stress with ManTherapy We all get stressed. But you can deflate that feeling with simple breathing exercises. Imagine the smell of bacon while you’re at it. Discover more tools at ManTherapy.org by clicking the button below. LEARN MORE 2023 Annual Budget  $378,410.00 2024 Projected Budget $348,926.23 Connect with us on social media! DONATE SUPPORT@SAMSONSOCIETY.COM WWW.SAMSONSOCIETY.COM

Hone In On Their Masculinity

"When I work out hard at the gym, it makes me want to work out harder the next day.  I do this in order to get stronger." 

Spending time with my aforementioned Samson brother at the 2023 National Retreat was a major highlight.  He was thoughtful to seek me out immediately after arriving, and from there, we simply enjoyed breathing the same air throughout the weekend.

So much of our lives had previously been discussed, therefore knowing how special it was to simple BE TOGETHER, we seized the day(s) (with very little chitchat).

Though we'd shared photos, I wasn't certain as to just how athletically built he'd actually be.  

Keep in mind that the quote at the top of this post set the bar (expectation) for me.  He stated that early on into our friendship when I inquired of him regarding his relationship to physical fitness.  

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For me, visual masculinity equates to athleticism, and I believe this is the case for most folks.  I know, at times, facial hair takes the top spot relative to this, but for Rob, it's men existing in bodies that are honed to perform athletically.  A very close second to that is a quiet spirit. 

Unsurprisingly, my aforementioned Samson friend cited Sky Ranch's "Activity Center" (gymnasium) and how he and some other Samson guys had utilized it to compete athletically (during free time).

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Now that almost two weeks have passed since the retreat, I would be remiss to not mention how okay I am regarding our (once again) physical separation.  Why?

Moments with masculine men (especially so regarding close friends) carry such weight with me that they're like Rob being gifted a parachute whilst watching life's fuel gauge slowly descend.  And the chute isn't to descend me to the ground, but to make my way safely to the next plane.  

Hence, as of right now, I'm simply parachuting.  Slowly.  Deliberately.  Observing my surroundings unencumbered (out of doors) with eyes wide open.  

It's thrilling but also thought provoking as I make my way to my next flight, riding the columns of air throughout.  For I'm reminded that I no longer despise the fact that I'm not that guy.  Instead, I allow the friendship to bear the weight of my need towards identifiable yet quiet strength, repose and resolve.  For friendship is enough of a solution for Rob.  It's closeness, in particular, buttresses me where I'm weakest.     

Recommended Reading - The Author Of This TGC Post Is One Helluva Brave Man.

What My Video Game Habit Revealed About My Heart (thegospelcoalition.org)