I have to give our Masonic Education lesson next week, and I'm at a loss for a subject. Anyone got any suggestions? Brother Nagy was kind enough to give last weeks lesson, and he's a tough act to follow... Suggestions are welcome...
Don't follow as you can't follow someone like Coach,you need to lead. What topic are you most comfortable with? And the least?
I was kidding about the following part. Coach is a great mentor, so I see him as a great influence more than anything else. What am I most comfortable teaching? I could discuss the finer aspects of EKG interpretation, or maybe fireground attack tactics... Seriously though, I really don't have a subject that's coming to mind. I've covered the working tools, a few Masonic phrases, etc... but lately, I don't have anything that's really standing out as a topic that I could discuss easily in a short period of time (10-20 minutes). I've made a conscious effort to avoid reading from short talk bulletins and the like. Those tend to get the Brothers a little restless after a long stated communication. I was hoping maybe someone would throw me a few ideas. Your a relatively new Mason, what would you like to hear about if you were in Lodge with me? What subject am I least comfortable with? You don't have that much time for me to list them all...
A brother in Canada produces a podcast called The Digital Freemason. It consists of a short masonic education. In addition to the audio, you can also find the texts of the lessons on his website: The Digital Freemason - Home They have not posted a new one in a while, but I have gone back and listened to I think just about all of them. They are generally pretty good and at the very least could provide you with a topic.
How about knowing if we are really earning a Masters wages..... are we putting in the "proper work" ???.....
There are so many topics that I want to know more about, the one that keeps coming to mind, and that I am working at in my own Lodge, is attendance. We have 10-15 Brothers @ Lodge on a regular basis and about 100 on the rolls. We are putting on a Rusty Nail degree with an open invite to Brothers from the whole GL, we shall see.... That topic would be: how do we make the Blue Lodge more interesting and desirable to potential and current Brothers? Personally, I love ritual & ceremony, so going to Lodge and other Lodges for that matter is great fun for me. That was one of the initial reasons I joined.
That among many other things was addressed by Bro. Nagy. I've been casually addressing that very point in each of my short talks. They don't realize it at first, but I'm certainly making them re-evaluate what it is they "think" they know... We did a Rusty nail degree recently. We had several long lost brothers show up that evening. Only one has returned on a fairly regular basis. I'm of the opinion that Freemasonry needs to develop not only a strong ritual/ ceremonial foundation, but also an even stronger effort to help Brothers learn the meaning of these things. For me, I love the ritual, but I find very few who actually understand why we do it and what the symbolism actually points to. If it weren't for a few brothers who saw potential in me to do both, I would have likely become disillusioned and lost interest. Develop a good balance of those things, and you'll have a stronger membership. You can't have one without the other. It is easier said than done.
Bro....sounds like to me you have really got some ideas brewing around in your head....just maybe trying to get it all formulated......I am sure you will have that "aha" moment and it will all click.... How about doing one on balance in ones life.....
Brethren, I found some inspiration from Masonic Short Talks on google. There are some great topics to choose from. My next discussion will be on Masonic charity.
Problem is, that I've got so much stuff rumbling around in my head that I can hardly make sense of it all sometimes. I've got a lot to say, I just lack the "wordsmith" capabilities of some of our more distinguished brethren here. I'm attempting to do this in a controlled manner so that the outcome is positive. Trust me Bro. Fireman, I'm working on a theme. And "balance" is really starting to be a common denominator. There are quite a few avenues to explore there (and NOT necessarily one's you'd think!). Thanks to all who have made suggestions. Because of them, I have a couple of ideas that I will map out and see where they take me. Keep them coming though, I'm enjoying the discussion. I may post my paper when I complete the research for it. I'm also looking to do something to submit to Further Light (The publication for the Florida Lodge of Research). Something tells me this may be an interesting one to submit to them. We'll see. It's got to pass through my "editors" first... They may tell me that it's crap!
The DDGM gave a short talk on the responsibilities of being on an investigative committee and being a sponsor. I found it very interesting.
Yeah, but I seek to make order from chaos by sharing my thoughts. As crazy as they may seem to some. This very thread is a prime example. For instance, you picked up on my "theme" for my Masonic Education. Balance. What types of symbols or Lodge regalia might represent: Yin Yang, white, black, left, right, Up , down? See the connection symbolically? "Lex III: Actioni contrariam semper et æqualem esse reactionem: sive corporum duorum actiones in se mutuo semper esse æquales et in partes contrarias dirigi. " or translated means: To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction: or the forces of two bodies on each other are always equal and are directed in opposite directions. Newton's third law. Balance. It's also physics, but I'm stretching boundaries here for the sake of exploration.
Very good! But that's just one of them. I'll admit, a very important one that a brother could spend a great deal of time investigating. Looking around the Lodge room there are many more, and they all quietly whisper "Balance".... I think I may be on to something, even if it is my tail...
Something that could be talked about (as our brethren are increasing in age) as well as everyone who drives a car. Since everyone seems to have a cell phone now a days. There is a local push around here to advise, and hopefully have most participate. Adding a simple "contact" in your cell phone that is labeled as "I.C.E." (In Case of Emergency) This should include general contact information that a first responder, or officer, EMT, Firefighter could obtain if you were unable to answer questions and you were alone. Many people don't carry lists of who to contact, etc. This is a great way to contact someone in case of an emergency. This was just a great idea that I think could help in the event of an emergency.
Hmmmm.... I bet that would throw them for a loop......or how about this.... talk on physical fitness.... shouldnt we as FM set a good example and take better care of ourselves....maybe P.E. should be added to the Arts & Sciences....making it a total of 8
