* I can jump off of huge rocks into the water.
* I can rock-climb and complete an expert course.
* I can drop a tall tree where I want to, and chop wood.
* I can re-build the small engine of a gas-powered radio-controlled car.
* I can withstand the pain of an entire sleeve of tattooing.
* I can go camping for several days and actually enjoy myself.
* I can speak publicly.
* I can identify good cigars, wine, beer, or coffee.
* I can defend myself if I have to.
* I can shoot a large gun or a bow with decent accuracy.
* I can prepare almost any animal for eating purposes.
* I can lead other men into things they didn’t think possible.
* I can backpack for miles into the Honduran mountains.
* I can complete a triathlon.
* I can hit an over-the-fence and an inside-the-park homerun.
* I can drive a stick-shift and shift without the clutch.
* I can cut close to a .500 light from Christmas Tree at the Dragstrip.
* I can grill a steak that will make your body go all floppy.
* I can do a backflip, frontflip, and multiple twists from the diving board.
* I can herd cattle and effectively work them.
* I can lead people to Christ.
* I can run a bobcat, a logsplitter, a stumpgrinder, an industrial woodchipper, etc..
* I can make my wife feel beautiful.
* I can make my little girl feel safe.
These are a few of the things I am proud of. What are you proud of?
I can give birth to a human.
The end.
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* I can take landscape pictures at night
* I can forage for food
* I can solo paddle a canoe
* I can code in several languages
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Great topic! In this age of political-correctness, we have forgotten how important it is for men to be manly! And while I don’t aspire to manly traits, some womanly things I can do:
-What Mandy said: Give birth to a human (best thing ever).
-Sew an outfit for my baby girl.
-Cut my boy’s hair.
-Cook for my family.
-Make beautifully decorated cookies.
-Make my home a safe, comfortable place where my family feels safe and loved.
-And that’s all I have for now.
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* I can cut close to a .500 light from Christmas Tree at the Dragstrip.
I don’t even know what that means!!
***
I suppose there are a couple of things I am proud of. I can make my husband feel like he is the most awesome man on the planet. I can make my best friend crack up with a single word. I nourished 2 babies with my body alone. I see all the love in the world when I look into my children’s eyes but that feeling is put to shame when I see the way they love each other. I can inspire people. I love to sing praises to God!
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That my family is healthy and that my 2 children turned out pretty damn good!!
Oh and don’t worry about having a 2nd. Piece of cake!
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You know sweetie you only need the last 2 to prove you’re a man. The rest are just gravy. Plus you know I’m a woman and can do most of what’s on that list. Not the triathalon thing though, that’s a no.
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I think the manly things you can do are amazing but the most beautiful one on your list is the fact that you can lead people to our Lord. Thank you for that.
I am can cook for my family and make them feel special with just a hug!
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Way cool post!
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I was reading what you wrote and mentally ticking of all of the above things I can do… awesome. More of an achievement for me are the girly things I can do:
*I can wear heels (sometimes)
*I can wear make up
*I can pluck my sister’s eyebrows (weird. yes I know. But they look good).
*I can cry in sad movies
*I can sit on the phone and talk to my friends for hours
*I can be a strong woman in Christ
Hooray for being a women. And even more praise for being a women who can paddle a canoe, climb, drive stick shift, change engine oil, mend a puncture, change a car wheel, hang wallpaper, take off a radiator… etc
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hey man.. I’d add that you do a purty darn good job of being a pastor at VWS – and everything that title involves… from running sound to creating videos to loving God’s sometimes unruly kids to reflecting His love and freely sharing the fruit of His spirit born in your life. Personally, I’m more grateful that you can (and DO) do those things than that you can skin a deer.
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I’m proud to be a child of the most high God!
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* I can skydive
* I can whitewater raft
* I can remodel my home by myself
* I can eat an entire watermelon in one hour
* I can make almost anyone smile
* I can be a Godly example for kids to follow
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What an inspirational post! Too often we are bound by society to not brag about the things we can do. If I had to make a list of 20 things I can do, I’d be stumped!
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*I can love my husband like no one else can.
*We will stay married until we both shall die. (Thirty years and counting)
*I helped God create life and sustain the life of three awesome humans.
*I taught and grew three humans to become lovers of God, of life,of themselves and of others.
*I can ride a horse bareback at a full out run!
*I am training a colt for the first time, from birth to finished.
*I can trim thirty trees in three days, all by myself.
*I can maintain 5 acres of beautiful land around my home.
*I can deal with customers who don’t want to pay their bills on time.
*I can lead Bible Studies with Women I love or are perfect strangers who then become people I love.
I hate to limit myself. I know there is so much more.
THis was fun. Thanks Ryan!!!
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Awesome list! I want you on my side when the world comes crashing down around us.
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OK, your list is seriously making me wonder what the heck I’ve been doing with my life besides nothing? Sheesh! My “I cans” are on a short list. I’ve got to get busy.
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I can get a better score on the motorcycle driving test than my husband
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-I can grow a human, trust my body enough to push it out without any medication what-so-ever, and create it’s food for a year or more afterward.
-I can hike 4 miles through the redwoods on a trail marked “strenuous” at 7 1/2 months pregnant.
-I can nurture my children so that they feel loved, cared for and secure.
-I can lead a prophetic worship set for two hours that helps connect me and others to the heart of God.
-I can change things with prayer.
-I can stir people’s passion for Jesus with my voice.
-I can be a source of encouragement and wisdom to my husband daily.
-I can keep on working and taking care of business when I really don’t want to.
-I can guide a raft with passengers through class III+ rapids.
-I can split firewood with an axe and build a killer bonfire or fill a wood stove.
-I can use power tools such as a drill, gas powered hedge trimmer, lawn mower, weed eater and am working on the rights to the chainsaw.
-I can back pack with a heavy pack for several miles.
-I can get free from years of addiction and bondage.
-I can spend years in prison and not have my heart be hardened.
-I can overcome jealousy, unforgiveness, regret, resentment, and sorrow.
-I can understand people who are not easy to understand.
-I can love the unloveable.
-I can be even better tomorrow than I am today.
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I can give good advice and help others to see that thier situation is not as bad as it seems. I also make awesome pancakes.
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Seven weeks ago I started the interval running program called Couch Potato to 5k using podrunner.com.
Seven weeks ago I struggled to run for 60 seconds and hated every moment of it. Last Saturday I ran for 20 minutes and didn’t feel like dying at the end.
I didn’t know I could do that.
This Saturday I run for 25 minutes. Can’t wait!!
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Mine isn’t manly…but it is something that I am incredibly proud of:
I can make people feel comfortable enough to approach me and say “This is probably a stupid question, but…” Of course it’s never a stupid question, but I’m apparently approachable enough to make people feel they can ask me for help and I am SO proud of that. In fact, I’m making a profession out of it (fingers crossed that someone decides I’m amazing enough to hire!)
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I seriously thought you were going to end this post with a picture of your beautiful wife’s pregnant belly and a statement of “But, I can’t do ‘that’.”
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I wish I had more time to answer this. But today I am proud of my daughter, who came to me and confessed she had lied to me about something. So I guess I’m proud of my parenting skills. For today.
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Cool post today. Love the last two, those are the best of all. I’ll have to sit down and think a bit about this. But I do know that I can love and make my boys (husband and son) happy. And I make the best chocolate cake.
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I am proud of the beautiful daughters my husband and I created. I am proud they are all Godly young ladies and are involved in their youth groups. They are right now in New Orleans at the ELCA National Youth Gathering. I am proud of being a surrogate, and giving two families the children they desperately wanted. I am proud of being my daughter’s biggest basketball fan. I am proud of losing 40 lbs. through diet and exercise. I am proud that I joined the rec center and work out 2x a week. I am proud of the fact that I am keeping the household running while my husband works out of state. I can mow, pay bills (late, but usually on time), kill spiders, keep the dogs healthy, hold a full-time job. Yeah that’s it!
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I can manage a global team on a complex deal without leaving my home.
I can give birth, and raise and love a child.
I’ve raised and loved a child for 14 years that is not my own, as if she were my own.
I can be an Elder, managing Christian Faith Formation for a 300 member church on a part-time, volunteer basis.
I can lead planning of, raise funds for, and implement a week-long youth mission trip.
I too can drive a stick, without using the clutch. I can also stop on a hill without using the brake.
I can change a tire in 20 minutes, in 100+ degree weather.
I can hear a tune (especially a rock n roll one) once and hum the tune back to you perfectly.
I can make fantastic chicken fried steak with cream gravy.
I can make science fun for kids.
I can do almost anything you need with Microsoft Office.
I can teach YOU to do almost anything you want with Microsoft Office.
One thing I CAN’T do – I can’t even begin to discern what things are “manly” or “girly.” Is that a subjective thing?
This was a fun post! Thank you for making me acknowledge some of my gifts!
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Wow- I feel like such a loser. I can’t think of a single thing that I can do.
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started to read this post when a dear friend came in. i closed the laptop and gave her my full attention, was patient and listened. she was having a difficult time and all i could stress was to let go and let god. i don’t know what her beliefs are but i told her it is called faith. we are only human and we need to ask for the guidance and strength to be led to the right path. to ask for the tools and not always try to take control. letting go and letting god….. after she left i went back to this post. it was perfect. thank you. i feel i have the gift of giving advice straight from the heart that is full of truth.
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#1. God is my #1.
#2. My husband….I praise God for giving him to me on a daily basis.
#3. My “Family”, past and present. They helped to form me (and believe me, I am very far from perfection!)
#4. All else…my wonderful dogs, my job, the dozen hummingbirds that visit my house daily this time of year, where I live, the beauty I see on a daily basis. Any and all talents, not mine, but gifted to me from God…..who I will always put first, I will always capitalize His Name, and always know that all I am was planned a long time ago. The stuff we accomplish is cool, but the credit it not really ours….all credit and praise is His! Amen.
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i think this is a great list. a few made me giggle (a steak so good my body goes floppy), one made me go eww (prepare any animal to eat) and the last two made me go all squishy inside.
good list.
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Awsome post!!! I luv that you make your wife feel beautiful, your daughter feel safe. That is sacred….
I can stretch a buck more than you would know..even in this recession, I can bring my daughter up when she is feeling down, I can give someone who is supper supper stressed a massage, and they get off the table a limp limp noodle, grinning a silly grin..I can cook a meal and see bliss on the faces of my loved ones…this is true luv, sooo luv this post, Ina from the Westcoast
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Love your list!
We are also on the second round: raising my sister’s daughter. (we’ve had her since she was 3, she is now 14)
There are lots of things I’m proud of…but the one that means the most to me is I’m a Great Mom! Just ask my kids. ha I have raised two wonderful daughters and did a great job of it. Well I did have a little help from the husband.
I wish my sister was alive to see what a great kid she has… Somehow I think she knows. She has been a blessing in our lives and I’m proud to be a part of her life…..
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i can do forms of needle work and lace making that most people have never heard of
I can make meals my husband raves about out from the most basic of ingredients
I can survive Iraq
I can make anything. (well, i think i can make anything…)
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Love this topic and your list.
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I can SING! Boy can I sing -and not in that “I-think-I-can-sing-and-all-my-friends-are-too-nice-to-tell-me-so-I-will-go-on-American Idol” singing. I am actually good.
I can crochet.
I can make homemade Chicken noodle soup that is to DIE for!
I can hear something twice and sing it back to you.
I can turn a no into a yes.
I can make friends with perfect strangers everywhere I go!
I can make anyone feel important.
I can read something and remember it.
I can write poetry and music.
I can make my three girls feel special and beautiful!
I can forgive.
http://walkaschildren.blogspot.com/
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I can be the best friend you ever had.
I can cook really well
I can balance a very large budget
I can grow enough food to feed my family and my neighbors, year round.
I can love my family like no one else can.
I can do anything with the strength from God.
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Hey cdparsons — great job on the couch to 5K! That is a great program!
Ryan — great post.
I’m proud:
to be the daughter of great people
to bethe sister of 4
to be the mother of one
to have loved and lost
to have stood when I felt I was being crushed
to be stronger than ever before
I know all of the above is possible because I have chosen to be the daughter of God, the sister of Christ & to allow the Holy One to live in me. For that, I am grateful.
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I can make people feel truly loved.
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Oh, and i can safely blow things up, too.
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I think this would be a good thing to do when you start to doubt yourself. Thanks for the inspiration
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I was going to share this post with my husband and 14 year old son, but husband said, “It’s not manly to read what manly things another guy can do”
(He was joking, of course) Great post!
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Great post, thanks for giving me something meaningful to think about this morning.
-I can paint.
-I can feel in tune with God and nature.
-I can get 3 kids to bed on time.
-I can handle the stress and anxiety of being home alone with the kids for days on end while my husband is away doing sometimes dangerous work.
-I can learn.
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I’ve dropped in a few times now, intending to participate, but it’s hard coming up with a list! I don’t think I think about this kind of stuff much, but I suppose it’s good to do now and then. So here’s my effort:
- I can feel high on life most any day of the week.
- I can be thankful to God for the many, many gifts God has blessed me with, and mean it from the depths of my soul.
- I can gestate and give birth to babies- even 3 at a time! (With a whole lot of grace from God.)
- I can run a photography business, a household, a blog, do charity service and home school, and still seem almost like a full time Mama to my kids.
- I can give my kids a home full of love, faith, fun, education, and sense of security.
- I can do a pencil illustration of anyone, and it be the realistic spitting image of that person.
- I can beat my husband playing a game of basketball. (Well, I did one time!)
- I can play a mean game of darts. (I don’t mean I’d throw them at you…I just mean I play a competitive game, and have a good chance I’ll win. lol)
- I can turn my tongue upside down…but that’s pretty useless. I guess I’m getting desperate now, so I’ll stop.
** Now, ask us to make a list of the things we can’t do, and I’ll have a much long longer list for you, and I won’t have to think very long.
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After battling Satan for awhile on all my insufficiency may this be a column of praise to King Jesus for making me the way he did: I can sing, I can play guitar, I can play piano, I can play viola, I can play basketball, I can play volleyball…guess I’m good at playing. I can cook, I can sew, I can design, I can photograph, I can make people laugh, I can love people, I can paint, I can make an excel worksheet, I can remember things easily, I can praise God with every strength, praise him for every weakness, I can enjoy life, I can listen, I can do hair, I can clean, I can understand the Bible, I can laugh with the best of them, I can lift heavy items and reach tall ones, I can organize and inspire, I can create, I can write camp skits that actually make people laugh. I can act like a 5, 10, 16, or 25 year old on demand
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I am amazed with the timing of this post. I have just been hired for my first full-time teaching position – 5 years after earning my MAEd (had to wait due to medical issues with my daughter) and this is exactly how I need to begin the school year. I will be working with a group of boys in middle school who are at risk for dropping out of school. What a great gift to give them – the time to reflect on the things they can do well. Thank you for sharing. You are awesome!
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#20 was the best one imho
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P. Ryan, your proud points are so fun! I think you and my husband would get along quite well. He likes to do the majority of what you listed, and he always seems to be getting injured unexpectedly (dog bite to the face, concussion, leg punctured by a stick, gouge to the same leg from falling through a dry-rotted pool filter, sciatica, keratoconus, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs in his feet, the list goes on…) You are not alone in being battle-scarred by life.
I am proud that:
* I can ride a horse while it jumps over a fence.
* I can surf a wave on my own.
* I can joyfully and generously give money to others.
* I can be a wicked aggressive soccer player.
* I can laugh at myself.
* I can snowboard down a black diamond.
* I can find really cool stuff at a fraction of its regular cost.
* I can learn from my mistakes.
* I can learn to do anything I put my mind to.
* I have faith.
* I forgive.
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I can play the inside game with anyone no matter how big
I can play poker and laugh when I win or when I lose
I can surf 10′ waves
I can fix most any car, motorcycle, electrical/mechanical thing
I can be competitive and also be fair and a friend
I can coach your son or daughter
I can fight for you or against you
I can admit my faults or when I’m wrong
I can’t do anything without hope or the love of God
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This is a great post!
- I know what to do if someone is dying in front of me
- I can use credit cards and never pay interest
- I can communicate effectively in English and French
- I can run, fast if needed
- I can deliver a firm handshake
- I can eat most anything served to me
- I can make a loaf of bread that will make you go floppy
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- i can pee standing up
- i can eat american soil
-i can make fun of people who are different
- i am a white male landowner, fuck anybody different
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