The Journey of a Thousand Miles

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The Journey of a Thousand Miles

I know what you’re thinking!  Here he goes talking about his book again!  Well, it certainly has been an adventure, but I’d like to share what the last few years have entailed in my personal development.  And more importantly what I mean by “the journey of a thousand miles;” it’s writing a dissertation.  And I want you to know exactly how serious I take my work.

I Passed!

In addition to writing and publishing my book Saving Our Sons, I’ve been studying for a Ph.D. in Education.  Over the last month I have been writing, researching and I’m proud to say I PASSED the comprehensive exam for my doctorate degree. 

I’m going to be very honest and real with you. There were moments when I wished a University had awarded me an “honorary doctorate” because I could have added years to my life!  But that’s not who I am.  

How I Got Here:

  1. Made sense of my own suffering in childhood through therapy
  2. Discovered my life mission by understanding my gift
  3. Obtained a Psychology degree and focused on adolescent boys with developmental needs
  4. Became a licensed counselor with a Master’s Degree and wrote a thesis on adolescent boys
  5. Developed The Quest Project®-A Modern Day Rite of Passage with years of success (2000 graduates since 2000)
  6. Have nearly completed my Doctorate Degree on scientific theory supporting what adolescent boys need

Being A Part of the Solution

I not only want to understand the science behind what I do, I want to give adolescent boys the very best of what they need to be healthy young men.  And, that’s exactly what I’m doing.  I have given over 25 years of my life to this work. 

My dissertation is titled The Difference of a Ten Week Counselor Facilitated Adolescent Boys Group On Behavior.  The importance of it all is this, not only do I work with boys in The Quest Project®,  this will be my second published scientific peer-reviewed journal on the very subject of the mission I live and stand for.  

I am committed and will advance this research to present to the academic world the reasons boys are struggling during adolescence by compiling, evaluating and defending the data that supports what boys need.  

I Know Because I’ve Been There

As a young man, I knew that I was missing something very important in my life, and I knew if I needed “it” there had to be many more young men just like me.  The “it” turns out to be that boys need to be raised and “initiated” by a healthy male role model and example.  Preferably there’s a father to guide them, but as we all know that is becoming a rarity, which leaves a boy in a state of dual ambivalence and that is basically STUCK!

 I’m proposing that we don’t ignore the issue, or keep stating it over and over and defer to someone else for the resolution. We need to do something about it.    At home, at school, and as a community, together let’s make the changes needed before it’s too late. 

Are you with me?

Saving Our Sons was released on September 1, 2016. The book is now available on Amazon.

1 Comments

  1. Gerry Mandel on September 11, 2016 at 5:36 pm

    Two important steps: You’ve been there. You got there. Congratulations on your accomplishment, Clay. As many parents look for a solution to this widespread problem, your Quest Project takes on added significance.

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