IN FOCUS

The beauty of the Craft is that the more we acquire knowledge from it, to more we are able to apply to our lives.  How could we not be awed  by references drawn from Aristotle's masterful work- the Nicomachean Ethics.  If I'm not completely off balance, he simplified thinking and life for the rest of us by putting forward reasoned propositions to conclude with truth. He gives us three types of motivation; logical, ethical and emotional. I won't go into them here other than to say the world is still complex, but now we have defined a piece on the chess board. His case on happiness is most compelling, explaining the key to happiness is through virtue.  It certainly stops the debate about advantages of corruption over ethics.  Why live a good life?  Because it is the way to happiness that doesn't happen otherwise. The logic is there for us to reexamine and calculate again and again. Within the Craft, we do find men living accordingly and men struggle with their own assumptions.  The education of a mason is not to be underestimated. It produces dividends when properly cultivated with assistance of intelligent use of mentoring. If like-minded men would allow the rest to find their own way (or not) I think it would reduce the amount of distraction that has burdened lodges far too long.  We are poor judges of others. We are kidding ourselves thinking we can predict the future of anyone. Absorb values, live accordingly and optics change. It takes time for a cynical public to accept candor and trust when they have learned to be suspicious. It is our lot in life to patiently carry on, as we are, whether others accept our growth or not.  All men are imperfect. I am imperfect. As frail as those thougths might be, understanding virtue is not simple. Making choices based on virtue is lonely, all in the hope of finding happiness.