IF YOU HAD IT TO GIVE...

If we could roll back time; if every man one of us took serious his oaths; if we employed the tools left for us by Pythagorean notions; the concept of Masonry would be a silent and collective presence for good in the global community. Convincing an opponent the threat on the chess board is without substance has been exploited; turning an apparent weakness into a very apparent strength.   Would it be stretching reality too much to consider the hegemony of Masonry?  Would it be reasonable to suggest to Grand Masters, the influence of Masonry is not apparent in vacillations picked up by the most observant Grand Lodge? What if the draw of Masonry has continued to appeal to contemplative minds? And what if those minds are compelled to forward the practices of Masonry within their agency?  I think it would be difficult to measure but the thought itself opens up incredible possibilities for our future.  Nothing combative is spoken about the status quo by those who carry out an ethical lifestyle. It would take a fool to believe a man could become better through education, or learning that happens with a goal- to morph knowledge into wisdom. Not aggressively but competing within.  That silly little game of hitting a little ball around fields into holes in the ground is anemic without appreciating that it is a test of concentration and control of emotion.  A true golfer, like a true mason, competes within and when he is successful he understands its secrets.  It gives us some satisfaction to consider there may be masonic dark matter that accounts for the greatest influence of great ideas that does not follow the expected behaviour of membership but is far larger than what is visible to us.  The ideas of the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Reformation and Counter Reformation would be lost to in time if not for learners, inspired by a short but unforgettable brush with Masonry. Insight.