Women & Men in Society
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Dignifying the Man – V
Posture & its Effects on Soul & Body
Having discussed the need for men to lead the counter-revolution in the home,
care for his appearance, maintain dignity and
dress appropriately, let us now pinpoint the important and often overlooked problem of bad posture and how it affects the soul.
The state of a man can be determined by the expression of these mentioned aspects separately or in concert. As noted before, the exterior is a reflection of the interior man. This is confirmed by Scripture: “The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, show what he is" (Eccles 19:27).
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We can affirm that a man who slouches, leans or saunters is a man with little care for himself as made in the image and likeness of God. Though he may attend Mass and pray the Rosary, he has inadvertently entered into the Cultural Revolution of the ‘60s. The casual spirit and being comfortable have replaced the discipline of the past, which called on a man to respect himself and others by carrying himself well.
He who acts in this carefree manner is not likely to be serious or industrious, but rather childish and lazy. If the body is, so to speak, primed and always ready for its next task, then the man with bad posture is always primed for a low-effort action. Can one really expect an excellent work to be done by a man who appears so slovenly and careless?
Added to the bad posture is a constant fidgeting and movement that seems endemic to today’s youth, who cannot seem to sit still for any extended period unless their faces are glued to a screen. This constant movement is a sign of instability and anxiety; their bodies want always to be at ease. What can be expected from people who are unable even unable to control their movements?
How to change
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Clothing and posture work together to reflect the state of one’s soul. Therefore, if he wants to change his posture, he should first begin to dress with dignity, for this will affect how he stands, sits and even walks. The serious clothing, manly and even solemn as it was in the past, makes the youth feel his potential and worth as a human being.
Clearly, it is far easier to slouch when one is dressed in a sloppy and lazy manner. The Revolution understood this very well. And so bad customs were introduced to replace the well-dressed man of the past man with the carefree, happy-go-lucky fellow who no longer seems to think or care about good posture and a distinguished appearance. He became a reflection of the Cultural Revolution instead of Christian Civilization.
Here are some simple practical guidelines to begin to set the will to a regime of good and manly posture:
The role of a father and husband is to direct the family to supernatural goals as well as natural. The natural goals are, of course, the sustenance and formation of the children. The supernatural goal is to direct the family to everlasting salvation.
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As head of the home, the superior, he governs the family, makes decisions, expects obedience, and does not allow himself to be manipulated. That is, he sets the tone for the family.
What will that tone be in a family where the father slouches, leans, and cannot restrain his arms and legs, giving the impression of being unstable? What will his wife do? Either follow his example or roll her eyes at her "big boy." In either case, he is not the husband she wants or needs.
Instead of maintaining his authority before his wife, the casual slouching "dad" in his shorts and sandals is treated by all as an equal, or even as a child. On outings together, the wife feels justified to remind her "big boy" to sit upright or to stop leaning as he invariably slides into his bad customs.
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With each such reminder she gives him, not only is his authority damaged, but her feminine spirit of submission is injured. She harbors a conscious or unconscious resentment of her husband, whom she would like to view as the head of the home.
The children, born with original sin and the tendency to follow the passions, will be quick to imitate the father in his relaxed postures. Corrections from the mother will not help very much if the father does not change. Here, the boys are more at risk to fall into the tribal mode since they are more likely to copy their father’s behavior.
Again, we see how the mother becomes the de facto leader of the house when the father fails in matters that can seem small or trivial, but in fact are extremely important and significant.
Men, if you believe your body was made in God’s image and likeness and that your every act will be judged, then you have no excuse not to correct your posture. Do not dishonor your Creator by treating the body he gave you with carelessness.
When the time comes for God to select the hardened men for the difficult tasks of the restoration of society, He will overlook those who could not even make the effort to sit up straight. If you are indifferent to the glorious adventures God has planned for faithful souls, then continue to ignore your posture and follow the path of laziness.
I hope this article may jar you to reconsider your behavior and to assume responsibility for how your present yourself – in public and in private – and then make the resolution to correct this bad habit now. You will be preparing yourself and your family to be part of the Reign of Mary of the future.
To be continued
The state of a man can be determined by the expression of these mentioned aspects separately or in concert. As noted before, the exterior is a reflection of the interior man. This is confirmed by Scripture: “The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, show what he is" (Eccles 19:27).
A consequence of bad posture: the constant fidgeting common especially among the youth today
He who acts in this carefree manner is not likely to be serious or industrious, but rather childish and lazy. If the body is, so to speak, primed and always ready for its next task, then the man with bad posture is always primed for a low-effort action. Can one really expect an excellent work to be done by a man who appears so slovenly and careless?
Added to the bad posture is a constant fidgeting and movement that seems endemic to today’s youth, who cannot seem to sit still for any extended period unless their faces are glued to a screen. This constant movement is a sign of instability and anxiety; their bodies want always to be at ease. What can be expected from people who are unable even unable to control their movements?
How to change
Father & son walk on the street of Marseilles, France, in the 1940s
Clearly, it is far easier to slouch when one is dressed in a sloppy and lazy manner. The Revolution understood this very well. And so bad customs were introduced to replace the well-dressed man of the past man with the carefree, happy-go-lucky fellow who no longer seems to think or care about good posture and a distinguished appearance. He became a reflection of the Cultural Revolution instead of Christian Civilization.
Here are some simple practical guidelines to begin to set the will to a regime of good and manly posture:
- Proper breathing: For the upper body, inhale through your nose and let your abdomen expand. Your chest will naturally straighten as your back uncurls and your head props up. When you exhale, do not drop your chest but keep it up. If you are not used to this posture, you will feel a slight resistance in your mid-back area at first. This is the body adjusting to a new position.
- Whether sitting, standing or walking, the legs should fall in line with the shoulders and the feet should be positioned straight and forward. A man whose feet turn excessively outward or inward easily traipses away from the model of a stable person.
- When walking at a normal pace, keep the arms close to the body with little swaying of the arms. The arms should be neither too stiff nor too loose.
- Fidgeting can be avoided by identifying the first signs as it begins. Once aware of the problem, one should try to turn his attention to something else; exercise the will to conquer the body’s lack of control. Ask Our Lady and your Guardian Angel to help you. Over time the fidgeting will disappear.
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Posture can be improved with effort & discipline
The role of a father and husband is to direct the family to supernatural goals as well as natural. The natural goals are, of course, the sustenance and formation of the children. The supernatural goal is to direct the family to everlasting salvation.
Children will follow their father’s example,
choosing comfort over effort
What will that tone be in a family where the father slouches, leans, and cannot restrain his arms and legs, giving the impression of being unstable? What will his wife do? Either follow his example or roll her eyes at her "big boy." In either case, he is not the husband she wants or needs.
Instead of maintaining his authority before his wife, the casual slouching "dad" in his shorts and sandals is treated by all as an equal, or even as a child. On outings together, the wife feels justified to remind her "big boy" to sit upright or to stop leaning as he invariably slides into his bad customs.
Hollywood ruined good posture by promoting rakish actors for people to emulate
The children, born with original sin and the tendency to follow the passions, will be quick to imitate the father in his relaxed postures. Corrections from the mother will not help very much if the father does not change. Here, the boys are more at risk to fall into the tribal mode since they are more likely to copy their father’s behavior.
Again, we see how the mother becomes the de facto leader of the house when the father fails in matters that can seem small or trivial, but in fact are extremely important and significant.
Men, if you believe your body was made in God’s image and likeness and that your every act will be judged, then you have no excuse not to correct your posture. Do not dishonor your Creator by treating the body he gave you with carelessness.
When the time comes for God to select the hardened men for the difficult tasks of the restoration of society, He will overlook those who could not even make the effort to sit up straight. If you are indifferent to the glorious adventures God has planned for faithful souls, then continue to ignore your posture and follow the path of laziness.
I hope this article may jar you to reconsider your behavior and to assume responsibility for how your present yourself – in public and in private – and then make the resolution to correct this bad habit now. You will be preparing yourself and your family to be part of the Reign of Mary of the future.
To be continued
Posted May --, 2026
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