A Man's Journey

(This was an old piece I wrote years ago. I was inspired to write this when I read last night an old article on the Lifestyle pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I forgot the name of the author, and although this piece was similarly patterned to his work, I added a few innovations on it. I hope you enjoy reading it.)

In a man's life, he goes through different stages, be it on his physiological, physical, mental, and emotional development, and in each of these stages he experiences a cornucopia of eventualities that mold him a a person. But instead, let us tackle the emotional development stage of a man. Once a man has passed puberty, he begins to experience a variety of emotions especially towards the opposite sex. He begins to feel a sudden need to be with someone. With the advent of all the different medium that broadcasts/showcases love-themed movies, books, blogs, etc. A young man begins to start his journey in love. Through this journey, a man will meet different "loves" as he progresses through different stages of his life. Let us define these "stages" by naming each of them:

The Josephine Stage

Josephine is a stage in a man's life where he was a mere novice... a greenhorn on the love scene. Probably, a man would experience the "Josephine" stage in his highschool years, or probably during his younger/formative stage. A Josephine girl would be some girl he met; when he feels like he actually like her, yet he still needs his time to hangout or be alone with his friends. A Josephine girl would probably be a girl who's about the same age as you are, or a year younger than you. In this stage, a man would probably experience his first time to hold a girl's hand and feels really good and "heavenly" about it. This stage may also be the time when a young man experiences his first kiss. It may not be as good as it seems, but it is the FIRST.

The Sarah Stage

The Sarah stage is stage in a man's life where he feels he's experienced already, but in reality, he's not. This is a stage probably when a man is in his mid to late teens around 16-18 years old. A Sarah girl would probably be a girl that he probably met in class, a blockmate perhaps or a friend or acquaintance in highschool where you met in a place where barely know anybody; possibly like your first time in a university in a far flung place from home. A Sarah girl would be a girl whom a young man would find her easy to be with and talk to. She would be someone who's a bit reserved, "traditional" and conservative. A girl like this could make a young man really feel so comfortable, yet when you start to talk about love, a Sarah girl would definitely be overtly defensive. In the Sarah stage, a young man may probably have no control over his feelings, and make a lot of mistakes and f*%k-ups as he goes through it... In the end, a Sarah girl is someone whom may capture a young man's romantic fantasies, yet in the end, she just becomes a good friend.

The Abigail Stage

The Abigail stage in a young man's life where a man transforms from being adolescent to an adult. A young man may probably meet an Abigail girl on the latter part of his teen life. An Abigail girl is a girl whom you meet in a large circle of friends. She is probably a girl who doesn't like you at first, but because of peer pressure, oh well, she somehow gives in, and goes out with you the moment you ask her out. In this stage, a man begins to make his moves carefully, makes a lot of calculations on how and what to say on a first date, etc. A man learns to become a true romantic on this stage; he would send her flowers, ask her to go adventuring to a lot of places, etc. The Abigail stage is also the stage where a man would start to bring the girl to his home and introduce her to his folks. More so, on the Abigail stage, this is the stage when a young man may proclaim himself as a real man in its truest essence. An Abigail stage is also a stage wherein a man starts to map out his life.

The Joy Stage

The Joy stage is a rebellious stage. It is a time where a man starts to break the rules. He begins to drift from what is normally acceptable. A Joy girl can be defined as a very quiet, and meek girl. In this stage, a man probably would make his way by wooing a girl, even though he is still with someone. He may meet this girl in a far flung place, where only the two of you are the only ones talking with each other. A Joy girl is also someone, even though meek and quiet, but also willing to go through a rebellious exploit. The romance on this stage is probably very intense. Yet after the romance, the man would probably wake up to his senses. The Joy stage is also very heartbreaking, because things really have to end so quickly. It is also a stage in a man's life when a man begins to wander and asks himself: Why am I doing this? Realizations probably will sink in years later, but what's important is it is a stage where a man begins to experience life in its truest sense.

The Lala Stage

The Lala stage is probably a stage in a man's life where he is drunkenly, brazenly, and uncontrollably in love with someone. A Lala girl is probably, a really beautiful and glamorous girl. Probably, you would meet this girl in your workplace. The Lala girl is someone that every man wants. She is probably sweet, approachable, and very easy to be/work with. A man in this stage is probably a bit apprehensive in approaching a Lala girl because every man wants to pursue her. She would probably receive a lot of gifts from suitors. But what's so special about this girl on this stage is that this girl wants something different. This girl would want guts in a man. She would want something really out of the ordinary to happen, and she, although she may not admit it, loves surprises. It is also in this stage where a man, not knowing what a Lala girl wants, would give exactly to her what she needs. Call it serendipity or fate, but it is on this stage where a man becomes so crazy in love. Of course, as the laws of physics say, in every action, there is always an equivalent opposite reaction to everything, so in essence, heartbreak is bound to happen on this stage. As the Brian May song goes: "too much love will kill you anytime..." it is true in its purest form.

The Noreen Stage

The Noreen stage is a rebound stage in a man's life. It is one of the stages where a man should avoid getting into. A Noreen girl is a girl whom your friends will introduce to you after being heartbroken. Probably, a Noreen girl is someone who also just came out of a breakup, and wants immediate remedy to her heartbreak. This stage in a man's life should always be avoided because in the end, it's the girl that suffers most. It is a stage in a man's life where he becomes "a heartless asshole who doesn't give a shit to whatever people say about his actions". In this stage, a man usually doesn't have a very nice closure with the girl. Better avoid this stage.

The Mae Stage

The Mae stage is the point in a man's life where he starts to decide what he really wants in Life. In this stage, a man may probably be at the worst stage of his life until a Mae girl comes along. A Mae girls is a very smart and beautiful girl. She may also be sweet, friendly, reserved, and very family-oriented. A Mae girl is probably a girl where a man would probably wants to spend his life with, because this girls is not just a girl. She is THE GIRL. What's so special about this girl is because this girl knows how to adapt to a lot of circumstances. She is also a girl whom a man would consider a combination of being "his girl, his woman, and his best friend rolled into one". At first, because of her adaptability, you wouldn't find a Mae girl quarrel with you. But you have to be very careful of this girl... and always pay attention to her, for failure to do so, would cost you a lot... A Mae girl is probably the most special stage in a man's life, and also the most mysterious...

So what's next?

At this point, a man should always remember that no matter how long and arduous the way to your destination may seem, sometimes, it is journey that matters most. Why am I saying this? Because you can never tell what's gonna happen next? In your journey through life a man may end up in any of the stages mentioned above... or another stage may come up next... who knows? But if you're gonna ask me? Hmmmmm... I think the last stage would probably be where I wanna end up with. But only God knows what's gonna happen next to you, so I think I'll just wait and see.