Over the last three months we've covered a number of topics with most being attached to a phrase or line from our ritual, this week I want to address something different, the why.
Many of us remember the initial excitement when we joined. The odd rituals and handshakes, meeting our new brothers for the first time, and having that first conversation with our significant other about why we're out so many nights - those are things we'll never forget and they'll be with us forever.
What doesn't stay with us, is the why we are Freemasons. I'm not saying that each of us doesn't have a reason for being a member of our Fraternity, I'm saying that the reason we joined is likely not the reason we continue to be active in our Lodges.
Some of us join because it's the "family business." We're members of a long line of Freemasons and feel it is something our family just does.
Some of us join because we want to give back to our communities. The fundraisers and service projects are want we're interested in. See those in our neighborhoods smile and say thanks is what we're looking for.
Some join so they can explore the more esoteric aspects of the fraternity. They want to expand their thinking and dig for deeper spiritual understanding.
Then there are those that want to teach. They may come into the fraternity with a solid understanding of philosophy, religious studies, or any number of topics and they want to give that knowledge to those that are interested and not just there because "they have to be."
I'm sure there are other "types" and at the end of the day they are all valid reasons for both joining and staying, in fact many of us have been in one or more of these status. That's a good thing, it means we're growing as individuals and by extension as an organization.
Where does lead? Back to the beginning of course. It's another rotation of the infamous circle we've talked about before. Each time we return to our starting point we've learned more about ourselves, and with that knowledge our perception of things has changed. Which in turn changes our why, sometimes a bit, sometimes a lot, but in any case, you need to take the time to look at your why. You need to be able to articulate it to yourself and if you can't, you need to spend more time contemplating it.
So, do you know your why?