Four Challenges Every Knight Must meet

To become a true knight, a male must first master four challenges To become a true knight, a male must first master four challenges. The first challenge is concerned with the type of relationships that the male creates, all of which are based on either trust or mistrust.1 1These stages of development were first described in the work of Erik Erikson.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Prepares for the negative forces within the forest that work against his success.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Learns that some individuals should not be trusted, and as a result, he must set protective boundaries.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Accepts that no one is perfect and makes decisions and responds to others within that reality.

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” -Roger Crawford

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Is freed from the memories of those who have disappointed him by his choice to forgive.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Develops an optimistic mindset that allows him to believe that most individuals can be trusted.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Intimately shares his soul’s faith system with others, both to teach and to inspire.

For a man to develop his emotional capabilities, he must recognize that he needs important relationships to survive, grow and maximize his life. A knight: Learns to accept the reality that his survival in the present is temporary.

Score yourself between one (1) and five (5) on each item above Score yourself between one (1) and five (5) on each item above. How well have you dealt with the trust versus mistrust challenge that is part of all of your relationships? 1 - I have difficulty establishing a capacity to succeed at this life challenge. 5 - I am succeeding at this life challenge.

The second challenge involves taking responsibility for one’s decisions. This challenge measures a man’s ability to be autonomous versus his capacity for self-doubt or shame.1 1These stages of development were first described in the work of Erik Erikson.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: Learns to make judgments about what is good, bad or preferred.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: Evaluates his actions, to see if they accurately portray his character.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: Takes ownership for his choices and the outcome of these choices.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: Demonstrates a learning spirit that impacts his future decision-making.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: Willingly changes himself to achieve important forest goals.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have a sense of personal control, security and confidence. He must gain a sense of his ability to make a difference in the forest through the power of his choices and his efforts. A knight: F. Models a sense of quiet self-confidence.

How well have you taken responsibility for the development of these skills and the competence that is necessary to succeed in your forest walk? Score yourself between one (1) and five (5) on each item above. 1 – I am just beginning to exercise my manhood responsibilities. 5 – I have established a strong manhood identity.

The focus of the third challenge is to increase the level of intimacy within your key relationships. This can be demonstrated by proactively taking initiative in your key relationships versus responding to your relationships out of guilt or relationship ambivalence.1 1These stages of development were first described in the work of Erik Erikson.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest. A knight: Reaches out to others with the intention of giving.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest. A knight: Attaches his strengths to his sense of mission and his love for others.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest. A knight: Seeks diverse relationships that will yield a greater understanding of others which, in turn, enables him to grow.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest. A knight: Expects honest feedback to be an integral part of working through conflicts.

The young man, after completing this challenge, should have the ability to provide leadership and should be positively influencing all of his relationships. He must expand his social horizons, asserting his interpersonal influence on the forest. A knight: Empathizes with others at deeper levels. Works to increase the enjoyment of life for others.

Score yourself on your ability to practice these relationship skills which increase intimacy. 1 – I am new at relational leadership. 5 – I am actively leading in a relational manner.

The fourth challenge of a man is to become a knight and make a difference in his environment. Does he demonstrate industry (productive effort) or inferiority (giving up)?1 1These stages of development were first described in the work of Erik Erikson.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Works hard to develop the areas in which he is gifted.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Chooses team members with good character.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Guards against his shadow’s presence, so as not to harm others.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Practices LARGE CARE (listening, attention, respect, genuineness, energy, communication, affection, responsibility, empathy) skills to deepen his friendships.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Ensures that his chain mail beliefs are realistic and positive, and also support his mission. Knows how to express what he needs with clarity and integrity.

The young man, after completing these challenges, should be following God’s call by impacting others with his unique gifts and skills. He must perform at higher levels in order to make a heroic difference in the forest. A knight: Accepts the difference between good and bad failure. Good failure occurs when he learns a lesson through failure. Good failure occurs when a failure does not get repeated. Good failure isn’t discouraging to him.

Score yourself on how well you have accepted that, as a man, you are called to positively contribute. 1 – I am still learning to contribute. 5 – I am regularly attempting to make positive contributions.