countercultural

4 Ways to Be Countercultural

As a young man with a young family, Jason is all about moving forward in his career. At the same time, he’s worried that his foundational values are at odds with the world he’s trying to impress. He shared his concerns with his friend Mark over lunch. “I don’t feel right about some of the things my boss asks me to do,” he said. “I want to do what’s right but I can’t afford to lose my job.”

Mark smiled. “Don’t worry about that,” he said. “Be true to yourself, but it’s possible to stand out from the crowd quietly and respectfully. You really can be countercultural without wearing a sign.” Discover how simply doing the right thing can make you a leader and a game-changer in your community. Here are 4 ways family men should be countercultural.

1. Finances

We live in a culture where entitlement, greed, and “I want this and I want it right now” too often call the shots. This makes for poor decisions at home and at work while leaving the door open for unethical practices in both places. Think differently, think ahead, and lead from a position of strength.

2. Priorities

Understanding what our priorities are provides a clear template for other choices. If family, faith, and others stand ahead of self, profit, and popularity, we can be free from cultural pressures.

3. Media

If we allow what we watch, listen to, and access via television, the Internet, and other media to guide our behavior, then we are the opposite of countercultural. If we make decisions based on criteria such as faith, family values, and other internalized principles, we are likely to be countercultural.

4. The Golden Rule

Today’s culture seems to suggest, “Do unto others before they stick it to you.” Living out the actual Golden Rule, however, still works well because—in addition to being the right thing to do—it builds community. We can be countercultural while simultaneously working toward healing the culture and making a powerful difference.

Sound Off: What are some other ways we can be countercultural?

Huddle up with your kids and ask, “How is our family different from other families? What are some ways we need to be different?”