In the movie Dr. Strange there's a scene when he learns "the most significant lesson of all" - it's not about you.
I know it's from a movie and about a comic book character to boot, but it's also a lesson we should all think about and learn.
It's not about us.
So often in life, both in and out of Lodge, we see individuals who have to make it about them. When a topic comes up they feel they are the best qualified to speak on it and they do so. Sometimes they feel they are the obvious choice to take on a new role and get upset when they don’t get it. Then there are those that they feel they are the clear cut individual for a promotion, and when they don't get it they blame the world. To those individuals its more about collecting another title, another award, another honor, it's about feeding their ego. They need to feel that they are in control of their own destiny and the universe is meant to be bent to their their every whim.
In reality, those that get the most out of life, the ones that provide the largest benefit to mankind, are those that take a few minutes to help someone out, they might pass a couple of dollars to someone in need, or maybe just sit and listen to the same story for the 100th time - without asking for anything in return. They don’t expect even the simple "thank you" those that are being helped often say.
As the world starts to emerge from the pandemic we should all consider this lesson as I fear that it will fall by the wayside. For the last 18 months, if you could look past the statistics and political football that was being played, you could see so many practicing this very lesson. Neighbors would run to the store for those that couldn't get out, friends offered to share accounts or cover the costs of video conferences so that families could stay in touch, and those that just took the time to pick up the phone and call someone to see if they were ok. It truly was a period where it was about helping your neighbor and not about finding a way to move yourself up the pecking order.
Now that more and more are being vaccinated and we are out in the world we would be remiss if we didn't continue to follow this lesson, the lesson of Masonic Charity. Yes, what you witnessed and participated in, wasn't what we've turned charity into, writing a check and then move on. We're talking about the original meaning, love. Love of your fellow man, love of those that need our assistance, the love of giving of your time and energy, not your bank account.
Take a few minutes and think about that lesson and try to find a way to add just a little bit of it into your life every day and you will be the better for it.