We can’t be afraid anymore. And that’s the real downfall of the American male. They’re afraid of everybody. They’re afraid of foreigners; they’re afraid of women; they’re afraid of losing; they’re afraid that they can’t fall asleep at night; they’re afraid that they can’t get it up. That’s the downfall, that’s the underlying cause of the decline: fear.

When we let go of that fear, things will change. The fear is what stops us from being men. Because men should not be afraid. Aggression is a symptom of fear. Men don’t need to be so aggressive. They’re supposed to be heroes and fathers and do great things. And this is not what men are doing anymore—they’re playing video games and getting fat on hot dogs. The women are moving ahead. And if they can’t do it with men, they’ll do it on their own. We need to make this world better. Men want to be heroes and if we don’t make men heroes, we’re only hurting ourselves.

—Kenneth Willardt, fashion photographer, in The Decline of Men, by Guy Garcia

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.

And there are things to be considered:

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.

It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time.

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold onto the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the River.

Keep our eyes open and our head above the water.

See who is there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves.

Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

— The Elders of the Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

—George Bernard Shaw

“It’s a very funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”

—William Somerset Maugham

“Feel what you want to give most as a gift, to your woman and to the world, and do what you can to give it today. Every moment waited is a moment wasted, and each wasted moment degrades your clarity of purpose.”

—David Deida, from The Way of the Superior Man