Articles for The Mankind Project of Houston

As I write these words, just a few days after our snowfall, only four years since the last time it snowed here, Hurricane Ike seems to me but a distant memory. I hope you came through the hurricane okay and didn’t have to go without power for too long. Mine was out for about seven-and-a-half days. I was entirely incommunicado for the whole first weekend. I took advantage of this rare opportunity to take care of only myself. The biggest downside was the news radio station I relied on, ...

First, this is not the "definitive" history on the Houston MKP Center. but Rather, it’s an article with a thread of what sharing and contribution can do from the vision of just a few men. Story-telling is another way to describe this article! While Houston’s beginnings are addressed here, I am sure someone else can write a definite “history” of the Houston Community. My focus is a bit different, and Houston is honored here as well. My intention in writing the article is to demonstrate ...

A look at today’s world could lead one to the conclusion that many aspects are unraveling; some have lost hope, and some have begun to panic. Now is the time you can step forward in some manner of mission and service and participate locally in I-Groups, staff weekends, feed the homeless, attend graduations and meetings, among other activities. My offering is to let us focus on the “now” and move forward together with the genius in YOU to co-create a better community and world. ...

Brothers – Man in Mission I Request Connection, Support & Accountability Help Me Make a Difference in the World by Mike Maldonado (Victorious Vulnerable Lion 9-97)

As long as the grasses grow, And the four winds blow I feel your prayers from home In this pile of stones… --Bill Miller The last edition of the DRUM contained photographs taken by Todd Silva of men in our community constructing an inipi, or sweat lodge. The Lodge Keepers Society (LKS) was blessed by the board of directors to build the lodge for our community. The lodge is built and is located on the north side of the MKP lodge between the MKP lodge and the north fence. As in ...

It was nearly 20 years ago when he hit rock bottom. High and drunk most of the time, Steve Sewell couldn’t function without just a little something to get him through his day. And he was getting into trouble left and right. One fateful day, the light shone and he realized that the only times he got into big trouble were when he was drunk. While sitting in jail he began to realize there had to be a change. He agreed to attend court-ordered AA Meetings. At the time, in-patient rehab would have ...

Texas grieves me Old joys turn Into dark skies Early days twisted Into lost memories Oh, how I long Sometimes For the St. Augustine Under the giant pecans The place of early battles Fought over big money Long cold ones In Hot sweaty nights With young friends Now older parents Tall buildings Matching tall hats A famous French aviator A tie designer An Indian doctor Three law school mates Hair color not found in nature Drunks and loose women ...

Next to our innate instinct to survive there does not seem to be a stronger drive in the human experience than to be in relationship. Across time and across cultures being in relationship, along with all of its rituals, continues to be a top human priority. Relationships have the potential to bring out our brightest gold and conversely our darkest shadows. Left to deeply imbedded learnings from childhood, our unconscious will likely keep us living in relationship shadow. Consciousness ...

I speak monthly at a Science of Mind Church in Bisbee, AZ. This month the topic was “The Element of Prolific Variety (abundance).” Most of these churches, Unity, Christian Science, etc., derive from a “New Thought” movement in the early 1900s and focus on spirituality rather than dogma, although they are definitely based in Christianity. They like to focus on the good in you rather than on your sins and are big on the mirror. The one where I speak is mostly populated by women and gay women. I ...

From the Editor by Mike “Lionman” Leone Each year at this time, I look back, in response to the community’s annual presentation of the Ron Hering Award. This event always evokes memories for me. One reason is that I was the grateful recipient of the award in 2003. I didn’t print anything about it in the DRUM because, as editor, I saw it as tooting my own horn. Another example of misplaced modesty, I suppose, and even now I don’t know what else I would have said about it. So I’ll let it ...

Going In Mission and Service by Prentiss “Golden Fat Cat” Jones Each year, one man in each of the 38 centers worldwide that comprise the ManKind Project International (MKPI) is eligible to receive recognition for living a life of mission and service, primarily outside of the context of our circles of men. Each community may select such an individual and submit his name to MKPI for review and blessing, with the end result being the bestowment of the Ron Hering Award, named after one of ...

MOTHER NIGHT by James Kinchloe the day is done my blanket holds me as this old house it creaks and sighs the magician comes a nightly visit to carry me with him to places high mother bat you ride the currents of earth moon sky and whispering sea to return to your young ones again at daybreak a mystery to many but not to me so my brothers let us build a campfire here on this friendly hallowed ground with wood that our grandfathers planted with wood that our ...

This is a story about making a choice – the choice between getting and giving.

Mayor’s Volunteer Award, 2008 Nominating George Sayre, D.D.S. by Mariano W. Guas How does a patient’s appointment turn into ten years of volunteering for the dentist? For Dr. George Sayre it all happened ten years ago when Dr. David Buck sat down in his dental chair. Dr. Buck’s numbed and mumbled question of how could the new organization Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston (HHH) enlist the support of Houston dentists for a budding dental clinic elicited Dr. Sayre’s own enthusiastic ...

Olympic Gold and Not So Gold by Anonymous I never would have imagined that as these Beijing Olympics come to a close that I would be processing the impact of the event in my I-Group and my therapy session. But alas, like anywhere else in the world, my shadows, both dark and golden, were mirrored back to me. The most profound and obvious is how the human body and spirit can be stretched to their highest potential. How with conscious intention and commitment to vision, magnificence in ...

[Editor’s Note: Clayton wrote and read this poem for a graduation he recently completed. His dad, Rick Goldberg, submitted the poem to the DRUM.]

MKP Houston Community Meeting By Mike Leone, DRUM Editor Our second community meeting of 2008 took place at the lodge on May 10. Dave Steitz, who has assumed the position of Board chair, was at the helm. Dave began by reminding us that no community is static and that every community experiences its up and down periods. Corollary to this is that we can have down periods and still prosper. His intention for the meeting was that all of us leave with the commitment that our community is ...

From the Editor by Mike “Lionman” Leone Another summer has finally arrived. It was too cold to feel like summer, or even spring, as we experience spring here in Houston anyway, when I visited Yankee Stadium toward the middle of May and watched the Yankees get trounced by the Mets 11-2. I was there primarily as a way of honoring my father. I can’t imagine that he, having been born in Brooklyn, never set foot in Yankee Stadium, even if it was to watch the Dodgers go up against the Bronx ...

The Big Leagues by Kim Sawyer It’s loud and scary in there. They’re all so big, And the ball moves so fast. I can’t play with them. I’ll get killed for sure! I don’t want to go in there with you, But I’m afraid if I don’t, I’ll be left behind – Forever without you. If you’d just notice me - just sitting here – and see how frightened I am. And if I could be sure you’d come back to get me, I’d really much rather go play in my room. While you go play Big ...

A “Kingsmen” Light By Micah B. “Vinnie” Vinson “Lobo Bravo," RT(R) JAN. 2007-LOMG, “KINGSMEN” I-Group I was strolling on a dark and often lonesome path; looking forward with the main purpose being not to stumble over down-trodden “obstacles.” A man was sent to cross my path seemingly for friendship and camaraderie; Yet here I am after more than a full moon’s rotation knowing this man to have been a guiding force. I started a journey that has taught me to open  ...