THINKING ABOUT NOTHING IN PARTICULAR: SINGULARITY OF THOUGHT

Perhaps society is most often limited by what we do not say and do not do, rather than our actions and words.  Take for example the convergence of two phenomena; one biological, one created by humans- illness of the brain/mind and prisons.  The original asylums were created by Catholic monks to shelter mentally ill people from public violence. Ignorance then as now, continued to mock what we didn't understand. During recent times, governments took it upon themselves to reduce stigma by simply reforming facilities. The results were mixed. Social scientists have examined them and liberalized thinking has revealed we have moved mentally ill people into the prison system. Used a rather fluid ethic, we use sentencing to isolate any corrupting influences from their presence that might contaminant polite society. In prison, psychiatric symptoms were not treated. Physical and mental abuse reflected our capacity for inhumane treatment, not so much under wrap but complete with an ethical argument to justify our actions.  Today we realize our thinking has been incomplete. Just as history goes, questions do not usually reveal answers at the first asking. Sometimes we ask and second, third and more each time coming closer to insight.   As a Freemason, we can hardly avoid asking questions of ourselves. As ridiculous as it seems, essential questions may require patience.  How we live during that period of exploration can actually define us.  How do we treat our lives as a regent- in waiting for the opportunity to rule over ourselves?  Do we live compensating for early unpleasant experience or using our intellect, gather ideas from watching others and gradually becoming our own mind?  What if you and I have an enormous but unrevealed talent?  What if with commitment and diligence, we can overcome 'settling' for mediocre performance and find  a confidence and grace that pleases the world?