Will Highsmith
Editor, Weekly Decryption

Clock picture courtesy of FreeStockPhotos.biz

 

\”Growing old is no more than a bad habit which a busy person has no time to form.\”
-Brother Andrew Maurois

Time is a concept discussed in many Masonic Rituals with teachings on how short life is and how we should spend our time. Time is alluded to in the interaction between the Illustrious Master and the Captain of the Guard during Closing of the Select Master Degree. It is explained that the working hours are from 9 at night til twelve when prying eyes are asleep. Although there is no explanation about who the prying eyes are, it is safe to think that this refers to the other Craftsman.

If we think back on our First Degree, the 24 Inch Gauge is introduced as a working tool. It is said to teach us how to spend the 24 hours of the day whereby are found eight hours for the service of God or worthy Brother, eight for our usual avocation, and eight for refreshment or sleep. Taking this and combining it with the Closing of the Select Master Degree, we see an implication that the Select Masters sacrified sleep to complete their work.

This concept of sacrificing one thing for another leads us to time management and priorities. These Craftsmen made completing their work their priority and rearranged their schedule to accomplish it. As you go through your work and life, think about how you prioritize and spend your regular hours. How we spend our time is based on our obligations and interests. We all have 1440 minutes a day, and it is up to us how we use them. How will you use yours? What will you chose to improve things within your influence or fall asleep?