True Sucess

                     True Success

  "212 degrees of Fidelity, Today and Beyond"

Each generation must face the stark reality that we are responsible for our actions and accountable for the message 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 ardent desire of our founding fathers to ensure government would be just. The preamble does not affirm the sovereign authority of the state or sovereignty of man. Rather that each generation must have their body of work secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity. Have you shared with your children, grand children, 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 vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed 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 our selves 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 anyway. Yes sometimes there are in life bonds that can never be broken, the bonds of family, the bonds of friendship, 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 we matter. This is another lesson we need to teach our youth!

While attending Eastern Wayne High School I formed many such bonds. In my junior year there were a few team members on our wrestling team who had set the goal of a perfect season, while some of us began working on another goal. The year was 1979 when my wrestling coach introduced a philosophy that would change my life. We were all asked to remain after practice to learn precepts that ensure “true success”. The concept was simple it was called John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Now as an avid UNC basketball fan I had heard of John Wooden the “Wizard of Westwood”. The first quote I learned that day from Coach Wooden was “a player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player”. John Wooden the long time basketball coach and teacher coined his personal definition for success. “True success is peace of mind attained only through self satisfaction and knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable”. Coach Wooden was never satisfied with his initial definition. He constantly looked for improvement; therefore he determined it was insufficient. He sought after something more tangible – more visual manifestation. His journey would span 14 years identifying 25 behavioral traits he believed were essential to achieve his idea of success. The outcome culminated in a simple but profound diagram Wooden called "The Pyramid of Success", which he completed in 1948. Now six decades later these foundational behaviors have weathered the test of time.

The bedrock of a mason’s foundation is in our Great Light. Additionally the three precious jewels of a Fellow Craft encourage us to seek, preserve and teach divine truth. Brethren if your pilgrimage through life has been stagnate and unawares; then I challenge you to search for     “true success.”  

Beginning at the foundation John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success we perceive the foundation of:

·         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 the 15 precepts of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success will help our lodges become effective pillars in our communities. Brethren the successes of your Lodge, District and our Grand Lodge have endured since October 1736. Our brethren who have gone before us knew and applied the eight guiding principles transfixed into the Preamble 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 Holy Bible and many of Coach Wooden’s 15 character traits contained in his Pyramid of Success. During the life of the children if 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 Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success can benefit each mason under the whole canopy of heaven. Collectively with our Great Light True Success will be attained. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, my brothers…it is the only thing that ever has.

Your friend and brother from Inman

Jay Adam Pearson