Each generation must face the stark reality that we are responsible for our actions and accountable for the messages our lives are sending to our children, grandchildren and youth. I see television ads and testimonials about quick fix surgeries, breast implants, liposuction, face lifts and tummy tucks, not to mention hair implants, hair growth and hair removal…yes America’s biggest loser is fast becoming our youth. Today humanity has allowed itself to be trapped with indifference and we have forgotten each generation has the duty of raising our youth in the principles that founded our nation.
There are eight guiding principles transfixed into the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.
- We the People of the United States
- In order to form a more perfect Union
- Establish Justice
- Insure Domestic Tranquility
- Provide for the Common Defense
- Promote the General Welfare
- And Secure the Blessings of Liberty To ourselves and our Posterity
- Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
Consequently the Preamble defines America’s core principles to be imparted to each generation unimpaired. It reflects the desire of our founding fathers had to ensure the government would be just. The preamble does not affirm the sovereign authority of the state or the sovereignty of man. Rather that each generation must have as their body of work to secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity.
Have you shared with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews the following principles?
- The Sovereign authority of God
- The Absolute Truth
- The Veracity of objective moral values
- The Fixed standards
- The Sanctity of human life
When our Founding fathers were looking for guiding principles to establish the constitution, they turned to our Great Light – the Holy Bible, and the result was the birth of America. Before, during and after the birth of America; humanity has experienced many trials and tribulations. I believe Noah Webster said it best when he declared, “the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from today: vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, are the results from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”
Therefore since the Holy Bible is the Great Light of masonry we should follow its direction and allow its truth to light our path. Consequently we should never try to be better than others. We should not seek to raise ourselves up at the expense of another’s character, worth, or reputation. Our reputation is what we are perceived to be, our character is what we are when no one is looking.
There are those special bonds we form on earth with family and friends. What makes these bonds special is they know us for who we are, warts and all…and they still love and accept us anyway. Yes sometimes there are life bonds that can never be broken, the bonds of family, the bonds of friendship, and the bonds of marriage, fraternal bonds, bonds formed from athletic competition, and the bonds of comrades in arms. Each of these bonds accepts and acknowledges us for who we are, no more, no less and affirms the fact that we matter. This is another lesson we need to teach our youth.
While attending High School I formed many such bonds. In my last year there were a few team members on our baseball team who set the goal of a perfect season and a state championship, while others began working on another goal. That year our baseball coach introduced a philosophy that would change my life. He asked us to remain after practice to learn precepts that would ensure “true success”. The concept was simple and it was called “A Pyramid of Success.”
The first idea learned that day was “a player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player.” This leads to a personal definition for success as follows, “True success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction and knowing that you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.”
A more visual manifestation of 15 behavioral traits essential to achieve this idea of success is shown in the diagram below.
The corner stone of a mason’s foundation is in our Great Light. Additionally the three jewels of a Fellow Craft encourage us to seek, preserve and teach divine truth. Brethren if your pilgrimage through life has been stagnate and left you unaware; then I challenge you to search for “true success.”
Beginning at the base of the Pyramid of Success the 15 behavioral traits are perceive to be:
- Industriousness – anything worthwhile requires dedication and work.
- Friendship – respect and camaraderie.
- Loyalty – “To thine own self be true.” Do not betray yourself and those you lead.
- Cooperation – if you wish to be heard – listen.
- Enthusiasm – is contagious, so is despair and negative rhetoric. If you are not enthused about where you are leave.
- Self- control – You cannot lead or function effectively unless your emotions are under control.
- Alertness – There is always something going on around your circle of acquaintance from which knowledge can be gained if you are alert.
- Initiative – Have the courage to make decisions and take action. Often failure to act is the greatest failure.
- Intentness – the ability to resist temptation and stay the course.
- Condition – You must have mental and moral condition, without proper conditioning in all areas; you will fall short of your potential.
- Skill – You must know what you are doing and be able to perform quickly and properly. Regardless of the specific skills required in your profession you must master each one.
- Team Spirit – Eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all. Praise that comes because of your contribution to the group is the kind of praise that should be desired.
- Poise – remaining true to oneself, not getting rattled, thrown off, or unbalanced regardless of the circumstances or situation.
- Confidence – is earned only by a tenaciously pursuing and attaining those assets that allow you to reach your own level of competency. However confidence must be monitored to ensure it does not spoil or rot and turn into arrogance.
- Competitive Greatness – “A real love for the hard battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required.” Instilling a joy derived from the struggle itself, the journey, and the contest.
I believe applying these 15 precepts of the Pyramid of Success will help our lodges become effective pillars in our communities. The brethren who came before us knew and applied the eight guiding principles transfixed into the Preamble of the Constitution which had been imparted to them by our founding fathers. If our lodges are going to endure for future generations we must recommit, dedicate and teach true success.
Our founding fathers came to this wilderness in search of religious freedom, not agnostic despotism. The foundation of masonry was built upon the precepts contained in the Holy Bible and many of those 15 character traits contained in the Pyramid of Success.
During the life of the children of Israel they faced a similar fate as we do today in America. They had reached a point where the current generation could no longer rely upon the previous generations commitments to ensure the blessings of liberty. Each one had to decide the path they would travel to the future. On bended knee they heard GOD provide the solution. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I pray our Nation turns back to GOD. My hope is for a new since of patriotism to engulf our nation, and that our Fraternal Bonds are strengthened. It only takes one brother with an eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all to begin a reformation. In my heart I know the 15 precepts of the Pyramid of Success can benefit each mason under the whole canopy of heaven.
Following biblical precepts, true success will be attained. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. It is the only thing that ever has.
Kenneth Dyer
Grand Master
