*** Just a heads up, I’m shifting to emailing these out on Wednesdays. ***
One of the underlying principles of Freemasonry is that an individual comes to it on their own, of their own "free will and accord," but what exactly do we mean by that?
The first part of the phrase, "free will," seems to be straight forward, you're coming of your own choice. There's no one standing behind you forcing you to become a member. You've given it, hopefully, more than a passing thought and feel that it is the direction in which you want to take your life.
It is the second part of that phrase, "and accord," that is too often just considered part of the phrase and is barely given any thought at all. You might think that since the word accord means to be in agreement that you're in agreement with the Lodge on you becoming a member, however, that's not the only agreement you're making.
Freemasonry is about a journey of self awareness and self improvement and those things take time and work to actually make progress on. That work is really what is being discussed.
When looked at from that point, you're making the choice to start that journey. No one is forcing you to take the time and put forth the energy to better yourself. You are freely acknowledging that you are starting a journey that will take a lifetime and might lead you to realize things about yourself that you're either not aware of now, or, that you may not want to find out about.
The accord you're making is with yourself. It's not with the Lodge, it's not with those who signed your petitions or investigated you, it's not even to those family members waiting to congratulate you later on. Look in the mirror, that accord, that agreement is with yourself. You are agreeing, and are in harmony with, the decision you've made. You understand that the road will not be easy, self discovery and improvement never is, but you are at peace with that decision.
It is something that you should take with you into every decision you make. Any time you go to make a decision take a moment and think, is this "of my own free will and accord?" Are you making the decision because it's the one that you want to make? Is it a decision that you are internally in agreement with? Too often we allow external forces to steer us into a decision that is not necessarily in agreement with who we are at our core.
So the next time there’s something you about to do, or have a decision you have to make, take a moment and ask yourself that question. In the end you'll be more at peace with the path you're taking.