Under the Umbrella: A Delicate Balance of Pleasure and Profit
Exploring the Masonic Principle's Guide to a Fulfilling Life Amidst Life's Storms
Imagine a day when it is pouring rain outside, and you must go out.
What's your first instinct? You reach out for your umbrella. This umbrella is not just a tool to protect you from the rain but is a metaphor for the safety measures that protect us in life.
In this example, the umbrella protects us against:
harm
financial loss
chaos
fear,
instability.
It also extends to more abstract concepts like personal organization, work-life balance, life transitions, personal ethics, and cultural intelligence.
These lead us to a more considerable discussion about life balance.
This umbrella shields us from life's storms, protecting us from the disruptive elements that life throws our way.
Just as a sturdy umbrella can keep you dry and comfortable during a storm, it provides security and comfort.
Thus it helps us navigate various transitions and changes, ensuring we weather life's storms with confidence and peace of mind.
Now, consider "Pleasure and Profit". This Masonic principle encourages us to balance our pursuit of pleasure, derived from our daily experiences and relationships, with the quest for profit, signifying personal growth and development.
Imagine our life as a balancing scale.
On one side, we have the joy and satisfaction derived from our daily experiences - the moments of laughter with friends, the comfort of a loving family, the fulfilment of enjoying our favourite meal - this is the pleasure.
On the other, we have moments of introspection and growth - the satisfaction of acquiring new skills, the joy of overcoming a challenge, the peace in understanding ourselves better - this is the profit.
“Pleasure & Profit” teaches us that to balance the scale, we must seek pleasure and profit in equal measure.
But what happens if we ignore this principle?
What happens if we choose to seek only pleasure or only profit?
The scale tips and our life loses its balance.
Just like an umbrella made solely of heavy metal might protect you from the storm but will wear you down with its weight. Similarly, an umbrella made entirely of light fabric might be easy to carry around but will break, leaving you exposed to even the slightest gust of wind.
An overemphasis on profit leads to stress, burnout, and isolation as we grind ourselves in the pursuit of growth and development, forgetting to pause and enjoy the fruits of our labour.
But, a life lived in the constant pursuit of pleasure, with no thought for personal growth or meaningful goals, can lead to stagnation, a lack of progress, and even addictive behaviour.
This imbalance can result in an unfulfilled life where we might be outwardly successful but inwardly unhappy or a life filled with ephemeral pleasures devoid of any real sense of accomplishment or purpose.
Achieving the right balance is crucial for our well-being, happiness, and overall satisfaction in life.
However, the purpose of this reflection is not to cause distress but to emphasize the importance of maintaining this balance in our lives.
The Masonic principle of "Pleasure and Profit" is not a luxury we can ignore but a fundamental requirement for leading a balanced and fulfilling life. The imbalance between pleasure and profit is not just inconvenient; it can disrupt our sense of self and our place in the world.
So, how can we maintain this balance?
Here are some practical steps that we can follow:
Seek Balance:
Develop a routine that incorporates both work and leisure. Dedicate time for self-improvement, but also allow time for relaxation and enjoyment.Prioritize Personal Growth:
Engage in activities that foster personal growth - reading a book, learning a new skill, or even taking a class in something you've always wanted to do.Enjoy the Journey:
Life is not just about the destination but the journey. So, enjoy the small everyday moments. It could be as simple as enjoying your morning coffee or watching the sunset.Invest in Relationships:
Relationships are a great source of joy and support. Foster strong bonds with your family, friends, and community.Value the Intangible:
Profit isn't always about money. Value the intangible aspects of your life, such as personal growth, moral integrity, wisdom, and knowledge.
In conclusion, "Pleasure and Profit" provides a roadmap for a balanced and fulfilling life. It encourages us to seek pleasure or profit, reminding us of the importance of enjoyment and personal growth in our journey.
By applying this principle, we can ensure that our metaphorical umbrella is sturdy enough to protect us and light enough to carry around, enabling us to weather life's storms with grace and resilience.