TenMinuteMasonry

  Being a Masonic Man Being a man is not about conforming to outdated stereotypes, but rather about developing inner strength, integrity, and a commitment to personal growth and responsibility. It's about building emotional intelligence, practicing self-awareness, and striving to become the best version of oneself. It also involves respecting others, taking ownership of actions, and contributing positively to one's community.  To “become a man” in the broad, cultural sense is often framed as a journey of self-discovery, building character, taking responsibility, and living by a code of virtue. In the context of  Freemasonry , these themes deeply resonate, but are further refined and expressed through specific  values  and  symbols  that guide a Mason’s personal growth and conduct. Key Masonic Values & Their Symbolism Self-Improvement and Moral Integrity The  Masonic Gavel  symbolizes a Mason’s comm...

  Given how pervasive AI is becoming, I want to show you some of the simple things it can do for you to be an aid in your life.   I asked it a couple of questions that are masonic in nature.   However, as you will see, you can apply its usefulness to about anything you can think of.   CHATGPT Questions and Answers I am a 70 year old man that has grown daughters. I am member of masonic lodge. I want to continue to grow personally according to masonic principles. What activities should I be doing or what reading material should I do? ChatGPT said: That's a noble and inspiring pursuit. At 70, your commitment to continued personal growth—especially within the framework of Masonic principles—can be both enriching for yourself and impactful for those around you. Freemasonry encourages the development of moral character, lifelong learning, and service to others, and there are many ways to deepen that journey. ? Activities Aligned with Masonic Principles Here a...

  How Leaders Learn” – A Masonic Reflection As you know masonry is dedicated to the principles of light, truth, and continual improvement. Tonights topic is inspired by the book How Leaders Learn by David Novak. While not written for Masons, it echoes many of our core beliefs—that true leadership begins within, and that wisdom is something we must continually seek. 1. Learn from Your Upbringing Our journey starts with self-awareness. Each of us was shaped by our upbringing—our families, communities, and early life experiences. The values we inherited form the foundation of who we are today. But being a leader requires us to pause and ask: What beliefs do I hold? Where did they come from? And are they helping me grow or holding me back? As Freemasons, we are taught to “know thyself.” This is where leadership begins. 2. Learn from Change Change is rarely comfortable. But it is always rich with opportunity. Novak identifies four sources of opportunity: new knowledge, ne...

    “Top Time Wasters and How to Fix Them” The 24 hour gauge shows us that we only have so many hours in the day.   We need to balance our time with all the things important in our lives.   The issue can become that you look back at how much of that time was wasted.   Once, it has passed, you cannot get it back.   We only move forward.   (As far as we know at this point.) I have a list of things I know I need to get done, but it is so easy to procrastinate or find fun things to do.   I had to sit down and force myself to produce this talk.   Sigh. So, How can we improve productivity, reduce stress, and use our time wisely? ⏱️ Here is a list of some of the top 10 time wasters in our lives today. 1. 📱 Excessive Social Media Mindless scrolling steals hours.   Between Facebook, Tik-Tok, Instagram, Youtube, we have so many ways to find mindless entertainment.   Heck, even the TV can cause ...

  Appendant Bodies, So many Hats and Symbols If you want to delve into some further masonic teaching or social gatherings, there are many, so called, appendant bodies to look into.   All of these require you to be a master mason in good standing.     Scottish Rite consists of degrees from 4 th thru 32 nd degree.   They have an honorary 33 rd degree also.   Each of the degrees is presented in dramatic presentations that teach moral lessons and personal growth.   Many Scottish Rite temples do some of the degrees as power point presentations however.   They seek to: ·          Aid mankind's search for identity and destiny in God's universe. ·          Produce wiser men in a wiser world, happier men in a happier world, and therefore better men in a better world. ·          Promote the dignity o...

  Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most significant figures in American history: George Washington , focusing particularly on his involvement with Freemasonry, along with a few fun facts that you might not know about the man behind the legend. Introduction to George Washington George Washington, born in 1732, was not just the first President of the United States—he was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and a leading Founding Father. But, apart from his public role, Washington had a deep personal connection to Freemasonry, a fraternal organization that has long been associated with secret handshakes, moral teachings, and an awful lot of symbolism. Washington and Freemasonry Washington became a Mason in 1752, when he was just 20 years old. He joined the Fredericksburg Lodge in Virginia, cost was 2 pounds 3 shillings, and from that moment, Freemasonry became an integral part of his life. Washington’s Masonic journey was ...