The North Carolina Mason

The Bigger Picture By Jonathan Underwood, Grand Secretary Those of you who have visited the Grand Lodge and seen my office know I take lots of notes. I scribble – ideas, reminders, correspondence. It's the way my brain works and organizes progress, and I'll defend my system by stating the madness does indeed contain some method. The method is that the scraps of paper and random notebooks of ideas form a bigger picture – a puzzle that makes more and more sense the longer you look at it and the pieces fall into place. But, I've had to train myself to take the time to analyze my notes, not just take them. Freemasonry is no different, albeit perhaps a little more structured in its analogy of building. Consider each of us and each of our lodges as a component of a great Temple. Each of us is important and integral to the foundation and facade of the building, and each of us is composed of different material formed into different shapes. If we're honest with ourselves, we probably think we know what our use will be in the construction of this Temple. For instance, as a rectangular ashlar, we must be a part of the foundation. As a wedge, we must be a keystone. But, is that really our point and the Builder's intention? As humans, we often overtax ourselves to construct edifices of our own design, not the Builder's, and certainly not the Great Architect's. It's only when we view the structure as a whole that we realize sometimes our perception of place is not what we thought it was – like the notes on my desk. A review of my scribbles often leads me toward a different conclusion or outcome than the one I thought I was working on. While the minutia of our lives and the operation of our lodges is important, we, particularly as Freemasons, should make every effort to stand back and review the entirety of our plans as best we can see them. Though your importance appears in one corner, you must understand your conformity to that corner holds up the rest of the edifice. This realization will enable us to measure the impact of our words and deeds and benefit our brothers and sisters on earth. The first and arguably hardest part of this exercise is breaking our use of words and thoughts that indicate ownership. "My" lodge, "my" fundraiser, "my" year in the East. None of us are the definition of Freemasonry. We are but custodians of a Great Ideal we must nurture and pass on to each new generation. I cannot help but believe all Freemasons want nothing more than to see our fraternity flourish and succeed, but we can only do that when we release our perception of control to Freemasonry's ideology and essence. Freemasonry is, at its core, the fulfillment of Golden Rule. Who have we helped? Who have we benefitted? Who have we made whole? When I look at my notes and jots I often realize they concern the benefit of someone. They are not about me, but about who I can help to succeed, and how I can play my part to construct a bigger picture and a sturdier Temple. OPINIoNs 6 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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