From the South

By Andrew Hawes, PM — Jr. Warden

This month's article will be a short one, because I'm late in writing it and want to get it done in time.  That's my excuse for why this month I shall most likely be reiterating tired platitudes and droning on and on about ways to make ourselves better men, and better masons, yada yada. Most of these articles are written in a very stream-of-consciousness format, which is why I try to pull from some recent experience and extrapolate on it, instead of actually putting in time to do research or anything like that.  You know this, and yet still you read.  Ok, fair, I mean, it's as reasonable a way to pass a few minutes of your time as any, I guess.

Ok, maybe I'm not usually droning, but if you've read any of these that I've written before, you will know that I DO like to talk about some little thing that I've thought about, that I feel might be worth sharing.  Well, I've recently had a cardioversion, to correct an arrythmia, and it's made me think more than usual on the fragility of life.  So this month, my topic is going to be death. 

A dark topic?  Perhaps- but as we all have learned and try to accept in our hearts, it comes to all of us.  I like to jokingly say "I'm going to live forever... or die trying!" when discussing this, but lately I've been taking it more seriously, and considering the fact that life IS short, and it will certainly end for all of us some day- whether it is today, tomorrow or (hopefully!) in many years.  

In considering this, I think we need to think not only about our own experience, but of those we leave behind.  How will we be remembered?  Does it matter?  Well, maybe not for us, once we've moved on, but for those loved ones and friends we leave behind, I think it's important that we try to ensure that they are prepared for our departure.  Let them know, in open discussion, that you're not afraid of dying, and acknowledge with them that it will be happening one day.  Of course, I'm not advocating lying to them - make sure that you're NOT afraid of dying!  Whatever you believe about what waits for you after your time on this earth comes to a close, whether it be a blissful eternity in that house not build with hands, a rebirth into some new life, achieving nirvana, or nothing at all - don't be afraid of it.  You can't outrun it, scheme your way around it, or avoid it, so embrace that, and focus not on fearing the inevitable, but instead on making the life you are living one worth living.

When you think to yourself "How will I be remembered" what comes to mind?  Hopefully nothing unfortunate!  I was asked once to choose one word that I would want to have describe how people think of me once I'm gone, and after some thought I came up with "fondly."  If you leave this world, and leave sour feelings, bitterness, or anger behind you, well, then, you're dying wrong!  We cannot be perfect in our lives - masonry acknowledges and accepts that fact, and we as masons are taught to accept it - but we can strive for constant improvement.

We never know how many days we have left, so do what you can with each one to make it a good one.  I think the boyscouts have a pretty good set of guidelines for living a good life:

Try to be trustworthy, loyal, courteous, kind, obedient, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent, and if you achieve those things, you're doing ok!

Memento Mori.  

Remember death, and when you do, do not fear it, but accept it as part of life, and strive to make your life well lived.

As the lyrics of a song say - "Live like you were dying"  ...because, in fact, we all are.  And that's ok.