Time for a Little Kindness

by Senior Midnight Freemason Contributor
WB Gregory J. Knott

Those who are kind benefit themselves, 

but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 11:17 NIV

One of the fundamental tenets of our fraternity is that of brotherly love.  Within this concept, we are taught to treat all others equally with respect and tolerance.  Digging down further, we learn that we should use kindness towards others.  Kindness is the pathway to getting to know someone else, in a much deeper and meaningful way.

Any quick review of social media will reveal a lack of kindness towards one another.  I have long thought that if people were meeting in person, they would never say things or act so rudely towards one another. Hiding behind the computer screen provides an easy opportunity for people to be anything but kind. They are often downright cruel.

As Freemasons, we have the amazing opportunity to set an example for others.   Here are some easy ideas you might use:

• Call your neighbor to check on them and see how they are doing

• Volunteer at a local charity

• Give blood

• Tell a coworker how much you appreciate them and the work they do

• Become a mentor

• Hold the door for someone

• Smile and say hello

• Say thank you

The last couple of years have been tough on all of us, but with a little more kindness in the world, we can weather this current storm and soon arrive at a wonderful sun-filled day with the hope of a bright future for all of humanity.

Thank you.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is a founding member and Senior Contributor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. He is a charter member of a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter U.D. and serves as its Secretary. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters. You can contact him at gknott63@gmail.com