When was the last time you stood next to a Brother and offered a bit of advice about a situation they were involved in?
When was the last time you received the same?
It is something as Master Masons we are honor bound to do and far too often we don't.
We all see the issues. It doesn't matter whether it's at Lodge, when we see a Brother when we're out running errands, or cringe when we see that social media post. Why don't we speak up? Why do we let things go?
In my opinion, and it is strictly my opinion, I feel that many aren't comfortable giving that advice. We're afraid of how the Brother might take the advice and we don't want to upset him or cause a scene. We don't want to let what might be a singular incident ruin a friendship.
It is a difficult thing giving advice. You want to be sure that person you're speaking to understands that the advice is coming from a good place and not one of superiority. So often we see those folks that look down their noses at others simply because they feel they are better than others. That perception has allowed us to color our view of why someone might be giving a particular piece of advice or council. We need to remind ourselves of three other words in our ritual "subdue our passions." We need to step back and remove our emotional response and listen to what is being said.
Whispering good council takes empathy, it takes knowledge, but most of all it takes courage to reach out and give it.
It also takes courage to listen to what a Brother has to say and understand that they are coming from a place where they truly want to help you improve yourself.
"We take good men and make them better," is one of those, as I call them, bumper sticker slogans that only tell half the story.
When a person joins the Freemasons it is not just us trying to help them improve, but, for them to help us improve ourselves. It brings to mind the simple fact that act of giving good council is not a one-way exchange but a conversation. When giving good council you need to understand what you are giving, and if you're receiving, the framework it's being given in. If for some reason there is a difference of opinion, it's presents an opportunity for a conversation where both can grow and learn.
So when you find yourself involved with that "good council," conversation, remember where it is coming from and why it is being given, so that all may benefit and become a better person for it.