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
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: skills
7 Soft Skills Taught In Freemasonry Discover how Freemasonry nurtures seven irreplaceable soft skills—collaboration; Communication, Teamwork, Empathy, Flexibility, Conflict Resolution, Active Listening, and Trustworthiness. Explore how these essential human attributes, grounded in emotional intelligence and ethical judgment, remain beyond the reach of AI. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
What is leadership and who does freemasonry help develop those skills needed to be a better leader |
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. |
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. |
Making an advancement in Masonic Knowledge can become far easier when you 'learn how to learn'. |
Learn how to practise Masonic meditation in a busy world with all its care and employments |
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 can we use masonic leadership skills to avoid confrontational situations? |
How the Trivium is applied to Critical Thinking - {who, what, where, when} - {how} - {why} |
The Seven Liberal Arts - why 'seven', why 'liberal', why 'arts'? |
How to improve your public speaking skill with 6 techniques |
Do you need to speak in public, or present Masonic ritual without notes ? |
What are logical Fallacies and how to spot them |
Share one easy tip to learn masonic ritual; Some good tips from Facebook followers |
How can we use the 7 secrets of the greatest speakers in history |
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? |
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 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