Today, October 14, is National Dick Day!

Now, before your minds go racing straight into the gutter (too late, I know), National Dick Day is actually a lighthearted celebration of people named Dick.

We're talking about famous Dicks like Dick Van Dyke, the legendary entertainer; Dick Van Patten, the lovable father from Eight Is Enough; Dick Clark, who helped generations ring in the New Year; Dick Cavett, the brilliant talk-show host; Dick Butkus, the football legend; and Dick Gregory, the comedian and civil rights activist.

And we certainly can't forget Dick Sargent and Dick York, who both played Darrin on Bewitched. Apparently, Samantha had a thing for Dicks!

But come on, boys. This is GoNaked. You knew perfectly well we weren't going to spend an entire article discussing television personalities named Richard.

We're here to talk about YOUR dick.

And I have a rather personal question for you.

Do You Actually Like Your Dick?

Seriously. Think about that for a moment.

You've had that particular piece of equipment hanging around for your entire life. You've probably looked at it thousands of times. You've washed it, admired it, worried about it, played with it, and perhaps occasionally wondered why it chose that particular moment to have a mind of its own.

But do you like it?

Is it the right size?

Have you ever wished it were longer? Thicker? Straighter? Maybe even a little shorter because the damn thing occasionally gets in the way?

Do you wish you were circumcised? Or uncircumcised? Do you love the way it looks, or have you spent years comparing it to every other penis you've encountered?

And then there's the question of performance.

Does your dick still do what you want it to do?

Maybe it once stood at attention whenever the wind changed direction, but these days it prefers a little encouragement, some patience, and perhaps an advance appointment.

Maybe it doesn't get as hard as it used to. Maybe orgasms feel different. Maybe medications, age, stress, or health issues have changed the relationship you have with your favorite appendage.

For some men, those changes can be frustrating. For others, they can be downright heartbreaking.

And let's not pretend that being gay makes us immune to penis envy. If anything, spending time around other naked men gives us plenty of opportunities to compare the merchandise.

We've all seen that guy in the locker room, at the resort, or in the shower who appears to have won some sort of genetic lottery.

But here's something worth remembering.

Someone, somewhere, has probably looked at your dick and thought it was absolutely perfect.

We spend an enormous amount of time worrying about what we don't have, rather than appreciating what we do.

And the truth is, there's no single perfect penis. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and configurations. Some are straight. Some curve. Some are growers. Some are showers. Some have been through surgeries, health challenges, or decades of enthusiastic service.

They're all part of the wonderful variety of the male body.

And none of them determines your worth as a man.

Five Ways to Show Your Penis Some Appreciation on National Dick Day

In honor of tomorrow's celebration, here are five suggestions for giving your favorite body part a little well-deserved attention.

1. Give It a Compliment

Yes, I'm serious.

Stand naked in front of a mirror and really look at yourself. Instead of immediately finding something to criticize, find something you appreciate.

Maybe you like its shape. Maybe you like the way it hangs. Maybe you've made peace with its size. Maybe you simply appreciate all the pleasurable experiences you've shared over the years.

Try saying, "You know what? You're a pretty good dick."

It might feel ridiculous. But so does spending 40 years wishing part of your body looked different.

2. Take It Out for Some Fresh Air

Spend some time naked at home, in your backyard if it's private, or at a clothing-optional destination where nudity is welcome.

Let everything hang naturally without underwear, tight jeans, or the constant need to keep yourself tucked away.

Sometimes the simplest way to appreciate your body is to stop hiding it.

And gentlemen, don't forget the sunscreen if you're taking the boys outdoors!

3. Treat It to a Little Pleasure

Well, we certainly weren't going to leave THIS one off the list!

Whether that means enjoying some private time, sharing an intimate moment with a partner, or simply slowing down and rediscovering what feels good, give yourself permission to enjoy your body without expectations.

No pressure to perform. No stopwatch. No comparing yourself to the energetic 25-year-old you used to be.

Pleasure isn't a competition, and an erection isn't a report card.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is enjoy whatever your body is capable of giving you today.

4. Give It a Health Check

Appreciation isn't always about admiration. Sometimes it's about maintenance.

Take a moment to notice whether anything has changed. Any unusual lumps, sores, irritation, discomfort, or changes in your ability to urinate?

If you're experiencing ongoing erection difficulties or other sexual changes that concern you, talk with a healthcare professional. Some changes are associated with aging, but others can signal treatable medical conditions.

Consider whether you're due for routine STI screening, too.

Your dick has been there for you for decades. The least you can do is return the favor.

5. Stop Comparing It to Everyone Else's

This might be the most important one.

We've all been conditioned to believe bigger is better, harder is better, younger is better, and anything less than spectacular is somehow inadequate.

What a load of nonsense.

The penis you have today may not be the penis you had at 25. And chances are, the penis you'll have at 80 will be a little different, too.

That's life. That's aging. And that's okay.

Your dick doesn't have to win a beauty contest, break a size record, or perform like a porn star to deserve your affection.

It just has to be yours.

A Little Love for the Old Boy

Here's what I'd really love for you to take away from National Dick Day.

For many of us, our relationship with our penis has been complicated.

We've celebrated it, worried about it, compared it, hidden it, shown it off, and occasionally cursed at it when it refused to cooperate.

But through every decade of our lives, it's been part of our story.

It's been there during our first discoveries of pleasure, our first romances, our wild adventures, our quiet moments, and all those years of figuring out who we are.

Maybe it's not as impressive as you'd like. Maybe it's changed. Maybe it doesn't always behave.

But neither do you, and we still love you anyway.

So tomorrow, in between celebrating Dick Van Dyke and Dick Clark, take a moment to celebrate the Dick who has been closest to you all these years.

Give him a little appreciation.

And if you're feeling particularly festive, well, I'm sure you can find an appropriate way to celebrate.

Happy National Dick Day, boys!

Now tell me something: If you could change one thing about your dick, would you? Or have you reached that glorious stage of life where you're perfectly happy with the equipment you've got?