What Does It Mean to Be a Dude?

What Does It Mean to Be a Dude?
By Ron Clyburn

Dude. 

It’s not just a word, or another way to say fellow, or guy. Dude is a way of thinking. A mindset. A code that you live by. 

A dude knows the value of hard work. He may go home tired after a long day, but he has faith that one day, he’ll reap the benefits of his labor. 

A dude knows the meaning of commitment, and his word is his bond. 

A dude lives his life as an example to others, but knows that what he does when no one is watching matters most. 

A dude is not perfect. He makes mistakes, but learns from them, and the life lessons guide him along a brighter path. 

A dude is giving. He helps and lends a hand when needed, and asks for no credit. The feeling of making a difference in someone else’s life is more valuable than recognition. 

A dude is a person of integrity, holding himself accountable for his actions, and keeping his moral standards and values constant. 

A dude forgives, especially himself. He lets go of resentment and makes peace with himself for past misjudgments. 

A dude knows that masculinity, often demonized in today’s society, is not a bad thing. He can still be masculine and show compassion and kindness to others. 

A dude is humble. There’s a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence, but a dude’s humility gives him empathy for the needs of others, and he feels gratitude for what he has and all that he’s accomplished. 

A dude is persistent, believing in himself and his abilities, knowing that if he puts his mind to something, anything is possible. 

A dude is resilient, overcoming obstacles and setbacks to achieve goals that others may think are unattainable. 

A dude has courage, facing fear and uncertainty when taking on new challenges and endeavors in life, and maintains mental toughness that sees him through to the end. 

I admit, I don’t normally write about positive virtues or affirmations. I write fiction, creating stories that are often humorous or take the reader on a thrill ride, filled with edge-of-your-seat action. But when Jarod asked me to contribute to the Campfyre, it was a no-brainer, and I jumped at the chance.

The above words are just some of my thoughts on what being a dude means to me, and I hope they mean something to you as well. As a dude, I am honored and beyond proud to be part of this community, and I will strive every day to live up to the standards written above. I want to thank Jarod for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to all the great things Self-Care for Dudes will accomplish in the future. 

About the writer:

Ron Clyburn is a writer who grew up in a small town southwest of Dayton, OH, called Farmerville. As an only child, Ron developed a very active imagination, reading comic books, watching action movies, and sneaking downstairs to watch Saturday Night Live. He tried his hand at stand-up comedy, but decided that writing fiction was a better outlet for his sense of humor. After many years of hard work and dedication to several Fortune 500 companies in the fields of security, telecom, information technology, and service to the United States Government, Ron retired and is writing full-time. Ron is passionate about organizations that benefit veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and dog rescues, and hopes to not only entertain but also bring awareness to those causes through his writing. He’s published short stories in several publications, most recently in Starlite Pulp and Thriller Magazine. Ron is currently editing his first novel, titled “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie,” about a private investigator, set in Dayton. 

You can find out more about him and his writing at the following links:  

Website: ronclyburn.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ron.clyburn

Instagram: @ronclyburn

TikTok: @ronclyburnauthor