From the South

By Andrew Hawes, PM — Jr. Warden

May is a good month to practice being a better person.

Then again, so is every month, really....

"May I?" is a phrase associated with asking permission to do something- but you don't need permission to be nice.  Caring about what others think is an important part of coexisting in polite society.  Many times I have heard the expression "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" used to justify taking an action that the person taking it suspects or knows to be wrong or against someone elses wishes, because they feel that asking for permission first will entail delays or resistance to something they want to do.  The idea of it being inconvenient to have to deal with what other people think or want is, to me, a dangerous path.  Once the idea takes hold, it isnt that far a step to simply stop caring about permission at all, and do whatever you want, when you want to do it.  Widespread hedonistic authoritarianism isn't something that fits within the idea of a polite society.  The very tenets of Freemasonry require that we ask permission first, so that we need not seek forgiveness.  Brotherly Love demands that we care what others care about.  Relief insists that we give aid and support to our fellow creatures.  Truth requires that we always be up front and honest about what we say and do, which means our intentions are known before we take action.  

Asking "May I?" should be unnecessary amongst masons, since we should always agree on the best course of action to be taken to adhere to these standards- and yet, should for that same reason always be asked, to ensure that we continue to perpetuate that same co-adherence to the nobility of purpose to which we have all bound ourselves.

...oh, and Mexican for dinner of course.  

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!