Why we Live Longer and are More Fulfilled
Our craft teaches us different techniques — think of them as mindhacks, to remind us of the importance of self discipline, self control, focus and planning. It gives us the ability to start to change and improve ourselves.
None of us are perfect, but life is a journey and we all make choices. We look for and find different ways of being better men, better husbands, better fathers and better members of our community.
Our ritual is performed by memory for those brothers who choose to be a ritualist. This keeps our minds sharp.
The choices we make will veer us into a different, more productive or more fulfilling path if we so choose. Masons are reminded of these better choices through our rituals and through our working tools. How we choose to use them or for that matter not to use them, is ours to make.
Becoming a better man is not a race. Those inquiring about our craft need not bother if they are desirous of immediate change on the day they are initiated. Each time a brother sees one of our rituals performed, even if it is the same ritual, he learns something new or perhaps a different way to think of things. Consider hearing something 100 times only to realize in the 101st time, that there is a lesson that can be applied to one’s own life.
The amount of knowledge that can be gained in masonry is rich. A well-learned Brother Mason, who puts effort into becoming a better man, understands that monetary wealth is a poor substitute for a life well lived.
After some time and personal commitment to self improvement through attending Masonic events, men are often left to wonder what other fulfilling directions their lives can take them or could have taken them had they not waited. This awakening could happen in months for some, years in others or possibly even decades.
There are sometimes poor souls who do not find fulfillment after attending a few rituals or meetings and simply quit. Being a quitter is a choice too. Every man makes choices and those choices can result in fulfillment and personal growth. But they have to choose. We choose to be better. We choose to learn
A Brother Mason who seeks something greater than what he has already learned or achieved should seek out a Masonic mentor. If that person cannot guide them toward that which he seeks, and that’s ok, find another. There are other learned brother.
When you make changes in yourself, you become better. When big changes are made, it’s like a renaissance and masonry is a Renaissance of the mind.