Is it time to ditch the man cave and to bring back the study?
Before answering that question, we need to distinguish between the two.
The man cave is essentially a playroom for grown children.
With big screen TVs, pool and gaming tables, and posters and sports shrines, its goal is to entertain us, distract us and shield us from the cares of the world.
None of that is a bad thing in and of itself.
But it can become a convenient escape from the things that really matter in our lives.
We’re sure to have a good time while we’re there but likely won’t experience much self improvement.
The study, on the other hand, also is a place where we can escape the stress and cares of the world, albeit in a more productive way.
It provides an environment of peace and quiet with good books, a desk for writing and comfortable seats for sitting and reading.
Time spent examining one’s knowledge, grappling with new ideas and actively thinking about truth is the fertile soil in which self growth takes place.
These qualities, in turn, carry over into a man’s personal life, his family life, his faith, his work and his citizenship within the community.
At some level, if we’re not serious about bettering ourselves, we’ll have little to offer the world in terms of authentic improvement.
It’s the difference between going through life as a spectator and finding the confidence to take your place on the field.
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