The Timeless Truth About Time Management

Picture this: It's the end of a long day, and you're scratching your head, wondering where all the time went. You had these grand plans, these noble intentions, but somehow, the hours just slipped through your fingers like sand in an hourglass. Sound familiar? Well, we've all been there.

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But let me ask you something. When you finally put down those working tools and stand before the Great Architect, what are you going to have to show for your time on this spinning rock we call Earth?

Will your life be a shining example of living with purpose, of making every moment count, of staying true to those eternal principles that guide us?

Or will it be a jumbled mess of random pursuits, a life spent chasing after every shiny object that caught your eye?

You see, we're living in a world that's constantly trying to hijack our attention, to pull us in a million different directions, to tempt us with all kinds of flashy distractions.

It's like we're in this never-ending game of whack-a-mole, trying to keep up with the constant notifications of our phones, while the pressures of society are telling us that being busy means being important.

It's so easy to get caught up in that whirlwind, to spend our days just reacting to whatever pops up, mistaking being busy for actually getting stuff done.

But here's the thing. Amidst all that chaos, there's this little whisper, this nugget of truth that's been around since the dawn of time:

a life well-lived isn't measured by how many fleeting victories we rack up, but by how steadily we pursue the things that will still matter long after we're gone.

This, is the core of what we're here to talk about today. It's a principle that's guided us Freemasons for centuries, a North Star that's shown the way for countless seekers of light. And it's just as relevant now, in this age of constant distractions and disconnection, as it's ever been.

So, how do we navigate by this eternal compass? How do we make sure that our thoughts, words, and actions, day in and day out, line up with the sacred principles of our Craft? I'll tell you where the answer lies, and that it comes from a phrase in our ritual:

“Truly does it warn us ever to measure time with the unswerving regard to eternity”

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, that comes from the The 24-inch Gauge.

In the hands of a skilled Craftsman, the 24-inch gauge becomes a powerful instrument of wisdom, a measuring stick for the true value of what we do with our time.

When we start applying the lessons from the 24 Inch Guage to our lives, it's like a veil gets lifted. We start to see the difference between the timeless treasures and the temporary trinkets.

We start asking ourselves, every time we make a choice:
"Is this going to help me build something that lasts, or am I just piling up more rubble?"

By holding up our lives to this eternal yardstick, day after day, we slowly but surely reshape ourselves into something better, something higher. We become more intentional, more deliberate, more focused on the things that truly count. And that, is when we start to feel a deep sense of peace, of purpose, of knowing we're on the right path.

But let's be real for a second. Putting this into practice is a lot harder than just talking about it. It takes a kind of discipline, self-awareness, and guts that doesn't come easy.

We're creatures of habit, and it's all too easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind. So how do we train our minds and hearts to live by the principle of how we measure time?

It starts with carving out a little time each day to reflect, to take an honest look at ourselves (I know right, to measure time, you need to allocate time to measure it). Just like we use a physical gauge to measure and adjust our work in the material world, we need to use this symbolic gauge to measure and adjust our work in the inner world.

This means setting aside a few minutes, or even a whole hour if you can swing it, to just pause, step back, and take stock. It means asking ourselves the tough questions: "Am I staying true to my values? Am I using my time and energy to serve my highest goals? Or have I let myself get pulled off track by all the craziness around me?"

It also means diving deeper into those eternal principles that are the bedrock of our Craft - brotherly love, relief, and truth. These aren't just fancy words to ponder in the lodge room; they're living, breathing truths that should shape how we walk and talk every single day. When we integrate these sacred virtues into our relationships, our work, our play, suddenly the ordinary starts to sparkle with extraordinary meaning.

Now here's the secret sauce. Living by the principle of measuring time isn't a one-and-done deal; it's a lifelong adventure. It's a choice we make every day, a commitment we renew with every breath. Sure, there will be times when we stumble, when the chaos of life makes us lose sight of what really matters. But the beauty of Masonry is that it always gives us a compass to find our way back - that unwavering light of truth in the East.

Now, I can already hear some saying "That all sounds great in theory," you might be thinking, "but what about the real world? I've got bills to pay, mouths to feed, deadlines to meet. I can't just sit around pondering the mysteries of the universe all day!"

Look, I hear you loud and clear. And let me be straight with you: living by an eternal clock doesn't mean shirking our daily duties. Quite the opposite. It means pouring a higher sense of purpose, a deeper commitment to excellence, into everything we do. When we approach our work, our family life, our service to the community with the heart and mind of a true Craftsman, we don't just meet our obligations - we elevate them.

But I'm not going to sugarcoat it. There will be times when sticking to this principle feels like swimming against a raging current, when the pull of the world seems to be dragging us straight towards the rocks of distraction and self-indulgence. In those moments, we need to lean on the strength of our brotherhood, the support of our fellow Masons. We need to remind each other why we're here, what truths we stand for.

And we also need to remember that this work of aligning our lives with the eternal isn't a solo gig - it's a team effort. When we, as Masons, all commit to living by our Masonic Principles, we become a force of nature. We become a beacon in the night, a living, breathing testament to the power of timeless principles to transform lives and reshape the world.

So, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. Let's take up that charge and every day, and hold up our thoughts, our words, our actions to the unchanging standard of eternal truth. Let's have each other's backs on this journey, keeping each other honest and true to our highest ideals.

And let's never, ever forget what an incredible privilege and responsibility it is to be Masons in this world. We are the inheritors, the caretakers, of an ancient and sacred tradition, a chain of wisdom reaching back to the very beginnings of human civilization. In our hands, in our hearts, in the way we live our lives, we carry the torch of this timeless light.

So let's walk the walk. Let's be the Craftsmen who build not just with bricks and mortar, but with the unshakable materials of character, integrity, and love. Let's be the leaders who show the world, through our example, that a life lived in tune with eternal principles is a life of unimaginable beauty, meaning, and impact.

And when the day finally comes to lay down our working tools for good, when we cross that threshold into the great unknown, let it be said of us that we measured our time on this earth with an unwavering dedication to what lasts forever. That we lived not just for the fleeting joys of the moment, but for the enduring satisfaction of a life well-crafted, a temple well-built, a legacy that will shine like the North Star for generations to come.

This, is the promise and the challenge that the 24-inch gauge holds out to us. May we have the courage, the wisdom, and the strength to rise to it, today and every day, as long as we have breath in our bodies.