The Work Of Our Masonic LifeSkills Conference

The Work Of Our Masonic LifeSkills Conference

As I reflect on our Masonic LifeSkills Conference, 2014, I appreciate that we ask young adults essential life questions.

We begin with “Who Are You?” and “Why Are You Here?”  These questions ask us all to go deeper to begin to focus on our life’s mission.  Our Masonic LifeSkills Conference focuses on the following lessons:

·      Servant leadership is not an accomplishment; it is a way of life.  It brings it’s own intrinsic rewards; what is essential is our intentions.

·      As servant leadership increases, we become more attracted to love, peace, and beauty rather than in things or short-term gains.  Forgiveness and gratitude become a habit.

·      As we continue to be connected throughout the world, we become aware that as we improve in our private lives, the world improves with us.  What we do to serve others automatically benefits everyone; we are all connected in this life.

·      We can make a gift of our life by being kind, respectful, forgiving, responsible, compassionate, and integrous.  We seek to offer these gifts at all times, in all places, to everyone – including ourselves.

·      Integrity is strong, constructive, practical, and simply “works.”  Our integrity comes from taking responsibility for what we think, feel, say, and do.

·      We decide daily to “be kind to all life” - to respect the sacredness of life.  Dr. David Hawkins stated, “Simple kindness to one’s self and all that lives is the most powerful, transformational force of all.”  The values of compassion, forgiveness, and understanding become prominent.

·      Out of all-inclusive, unconditional, loving compassion comes the growth and health of humanity.

·      We support and focus on the solutions instead of attacking and judging the causes.

·      Acceptance and understanding resolves strife, conflict, and pain.

·      Gratitude is more powerful than retribution.

·      Keeping focus on a goal inspires us to actually accomplish the goal; what is held in our hearts and minds becomes real.

·      All we need to progress towards our goal is patience, faith, and the surrender of resistance.

·      Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move through it.  We reach out to others, pushing through our fear of rejection, failure, and hurt.

·      Each positive choice moves us closer to additional choices.  Every choice matters.  Choose well.

·      We recognize each other at our highest level.  We see the same Self in everyone.  This unity through community heals us of separation.

·      Make a gift of your life.  Share love, acceptance, and compassionate service.  When we uplift others, everyone is uplifted in the process.  Trust the process.

·      There is no greater calling in life than to be of service to others.