Freemasonry Returns In You

With much of the negativity being floated around about the present state of the craft I figure it's time to chime in with my two cents.

Whatever our origins might be as a fraternity or our past or present intentions we have to realize that what we give to freemasonry is what we'll get out of it. I believe that "Freemasonry gets what we put into it" not the other way around. We must hold ourselves accountable for the Craft.

The lessons learned in masonic degrees are not specific to freemasonry alone - Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth. Fidelity, Piety and the Golden Rule are not new concepts. The Craft does portray them in an interesting, thought provoking manner. It is up to us how we take our lessons further. If we find something interesting it is also my belief that it is our duty as brethren to share that information with one another so that we all may grow. I participate on a few online forums where discussion runs rampant and enjoy brethren from all jurisdictions speaking their mind on educated topics.

Thus we have "Freemasonry Returns In You". On a short aside my mother has a plaque in her and my step-fathers room related to marriage. It says (paraphrase):

"One may think what the other may be;
To know this is compatibility"

My brothers, Freemasonry is as far and vast as it is wide. It is one of the many aspects I enjoy about being a mason. There are so many schools of thought and ways of life that we can't help but increase our ever widening circle of knowledge. As it has been said "The more I learn the less I know".

Think about it Brothers!

We have men of all walks of faith (even those whose official stance is to condemn freemasonry) and life. If we take a moment to listen to our brothers we can certainly learn a lot. I believe that's what Freemasonry is all about - learning. If you're not into the esoteric/philosophic/spiritual aspects of the fraternity learn what it means to be a cabinetmaker, or a car salesman. To make it short and sweet be brothers!

I think learning is what this fraternity is about & as I stated above - it's not strictly masonic. If we don't strive to learn through common interaction or masonic ritual I believe we're headed for a downfall as a species.

If we learn much Freemasonry will return to us and we can impart that to the fraternity at large - thereby making better men & better communities as Freemasonry has intended us to do.