The Top 5 Things to Consider When Volunteering Internationally

I wrote about what I think one should consider if you want to volunteer internationally here:

http://catholicvolunteernetwork.blogspot.com/2011/10/top-5-things-to-consider-when.html

Who are you, man?

Today on the phone one of my best friends Bobby Kilner, who's in the seminary to be a Diocesan priest, told me that when he thinks about guys who are trying to live out the calling to the married life the right way, I'm one of the guys he thinks about.

I was humbled.  I'm not doing anything special.  But it did remind me of what I am about, who I want to be, and who I should be today.

I'm a single guy, but I believe in men preparing ourselves to be responsible, disciplined, and strong enough so that one day we can provide for our wives and families---lovingly, financially, and physically.

I'm not saying guys should be the breadwinner, but I'm more concerned that I should be able to take care of myself---physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.  My thought is how am I supposed to provide support and strength in those areas to someone else or a family if I can't do that for myself?

One piece of great advice I heard a speaker say to my brotherhood back at CUA simplified it in four words: "Get your sh*t together."

Sometimes I try to remind myself of the guy who I "dream" to be, who I consider is the best version of myself, and then remind myself that he should not be an eventual goal, but someone I need to shoot to be today.


Anyway, I guess I want to thank my boy Bobby for reminding me of who I need to be every day: the best version of myself, Matt Aujero.

This is all I'll have to say about this for now---I need to do more walking than talking. And in honor of the Feast of St. Francis today, for the rest of the way, my motto will be: "if necessary, use words."

Amén.

Why men are in trouble...

A great article on the stats on where men stand in America

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/04/opinion/bennett-men-in-trouble/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

And another about the movie coming out to inspire men:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/04/church-produced-film-courageous-lights-up-box-office-on-opening-weekend/

Video: "I serve because..."

I made the following video for Catholic Volunteer Network.  It has my nephews, it has bloopers, it spells Catholic Filipino Ridiculousness to the max.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MattAujero#p/a/u/0/LSflWh1dUKo