Hats, pins, titles and medals..

Freemasonry is not a competition yet it asks that it's members work for her rewards. The funny thing is that it asks that you work without the promise of reward, but if you work hard you may be rewarded. So there in lies the rub. Work hard for the fraternity and expect nothing but you will maybe, probably, kinda, sometime be, well, rewarded. You may get a shiny new pin or a medal or apron or a different colored hat. This is where the misguided stray. And when I say misguided not that they came in misguided but that they were misguided. Misguided by those seeking self importance and a sense of pride. Not serving selflessly but self serving. If you work hard you'll get a new pin you know. You'll be Past Master or Past Heigh Priest. Daresay you may get a bump in Scottish Rite and get the unmentioned Red Cap. There are those I call check Mark Masons. It's a play on Mark Masons who are taught to design and make their Mark. A Check Mark Mason joins looses site for "light" and chases titles. Usually because they haven't accomplished much in life or their home life sucks or Mom and Dad were mean to them or they are of that younger generation where everybody got a trophy. So Masonry becomes that thing that place where they can unfortunately due to our lack in numbers, quality and leaders, where they, the under achiever, the uneducated, seek honors, hats and pins over mysteries, memories, friends, companions, skills, stories and secrets. It's sad really that so many of these sorts have come and indeed bounded through the west gate and established themselves and a check list of check marks so they can chase that magic ring and grasp it while riding the carousel of Masonry through the Mystic Camp smiling at the addition of the new pin, sash or badge and not grasping any of it all the while what is really screaming at them. Check.. Its our fault really. We failed them. We promoted them and like "the ring to rule them all" consumed Golum, we didn't see what we promoted and they didn't understand they were promoted as a chance, a chance to see if they could shine. Not promoted for the "next step" not promoted or entrusted for the "next thing" but to be part of the next thing that is a collective, a prosperous self promoting thing where we shine a little brighter because of our selflessness not the sheen of our trophy. Its our doing guys. We need to correct it, not ignore it. Or we are the same that subtly created it so long ago and then we are as guilty when we look down at the post nominals after our name in the program for this evenings event. Once all the checks are met they leave and if they don't get their trophy for showing up they leave and we are still here, still hiding in the darkness of a bright room hidden under a bushel hidden in plain site. Think about it. NPD has more to do with being recognized than being "recognized". That's all. JL