Jacked Up! Following the Example of Jack Thornton

Men need to get Jacked Up! In witnessing what many see as the decline of nobility in men, some women may be thinking, “They already are!” But, not in the way I am thinking. In this context I am saying that “Jacked Up” is following the example displayed in the character of Constable Jack Thornton in the Hallmark Channel’s scripted series, When Calls the Heart. In the sections that follow I would like to make some suggestion to men as to why they should strive to be “Jacked Up.”

Honor

Honor in everyday life seems to be missing. Men will say and do almost anything to get what they want, regardless of any other factors. In the long run this attitude makes everyone want to look out for themselves, because no one else will. But, with a man of honor at your side it is easier to take on the storms of life. Just as the people of Coal Valley can trust their Constable and rest easy because they know Jack will say and do what is right, so, too, can friends and family of honorable men live better lives because they know a man of honor.

Courage

We typically think of courage as being steadfast in the face of a huge threat, but that is not the full picture. Courage has to start with the small things, when it would seem easier to give in because the consequences can be ignored or nullified. Jack Thornton displays the willingness to pursue what is right even when friends, or a potential love interest, stand against him and question him for doing the right thing. Men need to be confident that, no matter the immediate consequences, they will eventually be justified when standing for the right in all situations. I doing so their friends and loved ones will be confident of them and their future actions.

Commitment

Much of a man’s integrity is made manifest by his commitment to the people around him and honest principles. People will honor a man who will work for the betterment of the community around him. Jack’s example of giving back generously to his community out of the rewards he earned in protecting that same community elevated his status among those for which he cared.

Humility

Much maligned among men in he modern world, humility is a necessary source for living a life of peace among friends and family. The nature of men goes directly against this character trait. We want to believe that we are always in the right and we should be the center of all of the thoughts of those around us. However, Jack Thornton show us that humility is a great strength, especially among those we love. Their confidence in us is built up when they know we are strong enough to admit that we are in the wrong and seek forgiveness. They know that we are seeking their well-being at the expense of our own stubborn pride.

Sacrifice

Perhaps the most noble, and most painful, of all of Jack Thornton’s character traits is sacrifice. This is a principle that men desperately need to embrace. Sacrifice is the ultimate visible expression of love. When those around us see that we are willing to increase our own pain and sorrow to lessen the pain and sorrow of our loved ones, it only strengthens the bond that ties them together. Jack’s constant efforts to lessen Elizabeth’s pain through any sacrifice is only meant to increase her joy. And the joy of our loved ones should be our great goal.

So now, I call on men everywhere to become the “better angels of [their] nature” and emulate these powerful character traits displayed in Jack Thornton. For your own sake and the sake of your loved ones. Get Jacked Up!

-written by Heartie Stewart Kahler