Author: Rich Gorecki

After several posts about the traits of male friendship, I will now describe some very practical ways that men can develop and maintain better friends. Today, many experts believe we’re in an epidemic of lost friendships. The cure is not more friends. The cure is better friendships. So, while there is no path to a perfect friendship, I can suggest a few ways to develop the deeper, more authentic type of friendships that I believe every man needs, which I call the GodBuddy. Regardless of your religious or spiritual belief, the world needs more men who live up to a higher standard for manhood. I believe that better friendships will help boys and young males become better men who use their inherently masculine traits for the greater good rather than exhibiting “toxic” traits such as emotional repression, aggression, and dominance that are harmful and repressive. My Case for Better Friendships

As I continue to make my case for Better Male Friendships, I will finish this portion by describing a pair of important traits: teachability and the willingness to improve. These qualities are key to what I call a GodBuddy friendship—a deeper, more authentic kind of friendship that I believe every man truly needs. Men Need Other Men to Become Better Men No matter your spiritual background or religious beliefs, most would agree: boys and young men learn best when they have strong, principled male role models. As they begin their journey toward adulthood, they are shaped by those closest to them—especially parents, friends, extended family, and the people in their community. Engaged fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and mentors—like coaches, teachers, pastors, and youth leaders—play a vital role in that development. Male influence from those who’ve already walked the road to manhood is especially critical to understanding manhood and masculine behavior. Of

Most good friends support and encourage each other when one of them goes through rough patches in life, such as a divorce, health concerns, job changes, or financial troubles. They may even say, ” I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.” But adding the personal and sincere act of praying with each other for support and encouragement is one more trait that differentiates between good friends and the type of friendship that every man needs, what I call a GodBuddy. Men Need Support and Encouragement Ask someone for the definition of encouragement, and you’ll likely get something like “the act of giving individual support used as motivation.” Encouragement is motivation that helps pull us up after a setback. It helps us face criticism from our boss, challenges at home, or from the coaches and teachers at school. Generally speaking, most men thrive through positive motivation and encouragement rather than