Three Words That Will Change Your Life

Do you experience a difficulty in holding a conversation with a total stranger?

No matter if you are visiting or have visitors to your lodge, striking up a conversation can sometimes be a uncomfortable challenge. But there might be a simple solution to transpose that uncomfortable challenge into a pleasant situation.

Here is a short article posted on a Facebook page recently (author unknown), that gave me cause for some thought and reflection.

I’M THE MAN

 

“I’m the man who asked to join your organisation,

the man who paid his fees to join,

the man who stood up in front of you all,

and promised to be Regular, Faithful and True.

 

I’m the man who was initiated,

passed and raised,

though the cheering, clapping and the praise

are nothing more than just a haze.

 

I’m the man who sold you raffle tickets,

wanting to pass by,

only to make you realise that I was sat close by.

 

I’m the man who never visited another Lodge,

I guess you were all just too busy to invite me…

that’s the reason why.

 

I’m the man who came to your meetings,

and the one nobody paid any attention to. 

I tried several times to be friendly to you,

but you all have your own friends which you sit next to.

 

I got up and down several times,

but no one paid any attention to me,

I had hoped very much that someday..

.. someone would ask me to take part in something,

fund-raising,

collecting an aged brother to bring to Lodge,

help organise a Lodge function – anything really.

 

I’m man who was never asked, 

I’m the man who was always passed,

I’m the man who probably won’t be the last.

 

I missed a few meetings over the ensuing months

because I was ill and couldn’t attend. 

I had no telephone call from the Lodge’s end –

no one asked me at the next meeting where I had been,

I’m guessing it didn’t matter much to the others if I was there or not.

 

The next meeting I decided to stay away and play golf, 

the following meeting that I attended,

no one asked me why I was off.

 

You might say I’m a good man,

a good family man who holds a responsible job,

loves his community,

his country and his friends.

 

But do you know who else I am?  –

I’m the man who never came back!

As a global organisation we spend considerable amount of time attracting, interviewing and initiating new members when in fact, sometimes we neglect those members we have.

All we have to do is make members feel welcome, wanted, needed as part of the lodge. Likewise as new members we also need to reach out and make connections with existing lodge members – it is a two way street.

The reality is that we sometimes find it difficult to start and hold conversations with people we don’t know very well. Think of the times we have had visitors to lodge meetings and other than an odd  ‘hello, nice to see you, please come again’, we have not really shown any real interest. 

Maybe we need some help, a little guidance. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone is a skill that can be taught. It does not come naturally for everyone. Especially if you do not want to come across being creepy.

Three words that will change your life

Here is a short (17 minutes) video. A link to a TEDx Talk presented by Dr Mark Holder – who claims that ‘three words will change your life’.

Tell me more…

What happened next?….

That sounds interesting…

 

I would leave you with one last thought, it is my view, that it is worth while making an effort to make that initial approach.

… when you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new  

 

The Dalai Lama

Article by: Nicholas J Broadway

njcholas broadway

Nicholas was initiated into Freemasonry in 1989 in Stonewell Lodge No. 9137, Essex England (UGLE) and was Master in 1995, 2011 and 2016. He also joined other UGLE craft Lodges and is a PZ in the Royal Arch Chapter. 

He acquired the title of The Square Magazine in January 2020 and oversees the technical running of the digital publication.

Recent Articles: skill series

Freemasonry and Reskilling in the age of AI

The article explores the challenges and strategies organizations face in reskilling their workforce in the era of automation and artificial intelligence. It highlights the need for companies to view reskilling as a strategic imperative and involve leaders and managers in the process. The article also emphasizes the importance of change management, designing programs from the employee's perspective, and partnering with external entities.
 

Ten Central Commandments or Principles of Freemasonry

Embrace the wisdom of Freemasonry's teachings in your personal journey towards self-improvement and stronger leadership. By upholding virtues of integrity, compassion, and respect, and uniting these with a commitment to continuous learning and social responsibility, inspire change. Transform yourself and the world around you, fostering a legacy of positivity and enlightenment.
 

Freemasonry: A Guide to Fatherhood

In the sacred halls of Freemasonry, fathers discover a hidden power to transform their parenting journey. With its timeless values, supportive community, and life-enriching teachings, Freemasonry empowers fathers to provide a moral compass, foster self-improvement, build stronger connections, and embrace the confidence and wisdom needed to navigate the complex realm of fatherhood.
 

Courage as a core value in Freemasonry

Freemasonry, a revered fraternity, prioritizes virtues like honesty and charity. However, courage is foundational. From Plato to Maya Angelou, courage is vital for other virtues. Freemasonry's teachings, referencing events like Gettysburg, emphasize diverse courage forms. In today's divided world, Masons promote and exemplify courage, understanding its importance in facing challenges.
 

How Freemasonry Cultivates Ideal Entrepreneurial Traits

Freemasonry's cryptic rituals hold timeless lessons for building entrepreneurial greatness. Through tests of passion, vision and skill, Masonic teachings forge ideal traits like grit, creativity and alliance-making needed to seize opportunity and elevate enterprises. The right commitment unlocks code for entrepreneurial success.
 

What you see praiseworthy in others

"What you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate, and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend". This passage of Masonic ritual (Taylors Working, Address to the w
Wardens) is advice on how to improve oneself by observing others.

How to Learn Ritual with a Learning Disorder

So what do you do when faced with that little blue book? Most Masons when first looking at the ritual book can understandably be fazed – the tiny print, the missing words, the questions and answers! Learning ritual can be a challenging task for anyone, especially individuals with learning disorders, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to help make the process easier.

The Mind Palace

A "mind palace", also known as a "memory palace", is a technique for memorizing and recalling information. How would your life change if you could remember anything and everything? Discover the 'Mind Palace' and all will be revealed.

Leadership and Freemasonry

What is leadership and who does freemasonry help develop those skills needed to be a better leader

Property and Plunder

A story of the 'Ruffians' – those individuals whose paths cross ours, who feel entitled to seize and consume the property of others that they have not earned. A lesson to build character to be a better citizen of the world.

how to learn ritual - Recap

Now we are back in the Lodge room once again, maybe it is time to review how we learn and deliver ritual and look at different ways of improving that process.

How do you Learn?

Making an advancement in Masonic Knowledge can become far easier when you 'learn how to learn'.

Masonic Meditation

Learn how to practise Masonic meditation in a busy world with all its care and employments

The 5-Minute Ritualist

Struggling to learn your ritual? Become a 5-Minute Ritualist with the aid of a book of the same name.

Day in the life of a Freemason

As we start a new year, maybe start it with a new habit?

Ten Basic Rules For Better Living

Ten Basic Rules For Better Living by Manly P Hall

How to avoid confrontation

How can we use masonic leadership skills to avoid confrontational situations?

Critical Thinking

How the Trivium is applied to Critical Thinking - {who, what, where, when} - {how} - {why}

Seven Liberal Arts

The Seven Liberal Arts - why 'seven', why 'liberal', why 'arts'?

Speak Like a Leader

How to improve your public speaking skill with 6 techniques

How to Learn a Speech

Do you need to speak in public, or present Masonic ritual without notes ?

Logical Fallacies

What are logical Fallacies and how to spot them

Share One Tip

Share one easy tip to learn masonic ritual; Some good tips from Facebook followers

Public Speaking

How can we use the 7 secrets of the greatest speakers in history

Critical Thinking

What is a critical thinker and what are their characteristics?

Share one personal skill Freemasonry helped you to improve?

How can we make practical use of the lessons taught in Masonic writings?

Public Speaking

An introduction to the art of public speaking - speak with confidence

Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences

What do you know about Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences

Three Words That Will Change Your Life

This article discuss a common situation found in many lodges - a difficulty in holding a conversation with a stranger.

Al – Khwarizmi

Al - Khwarizmi live c750 - c820 is credited as being the father of Algebra, being asked what is Man, give his answer in an algebraic expression

masonic knowledge

to be a better citizen of the world

share the square with two brothers

click image to open email app on mobile device

Masonic Apparel

made to order

Share this article ....

Contents