I have grown as a person in and through Masonry for the last five years in many ways. I was a college kid when I was introduced to the fraternity. Because of the members and the friends I made in this group, I had a better footing when I took the first uneasy steps from college to the real world. The struggles and strife of the 
world take on a different hue when mixed with what we inculcate and express in our Lodge meetings and rituals. I feel more open to the world because I understand that titles and differences are just trappings – they are limits we put on each other to keep one another at a distance instead of realizing that where we are, so you once were or one day shall be. We shouldn’t lord it over each other - we should help each other learn and grow because of it.

We consolidated our lodge the year I became a Master Mason. I was still new and fresh to the idea of “Livingston West Orange Lodge 205”. And then someone writes a letter, and the name becomes “Livingston 11”. I didn’t know what to feel, I was nervous but anxious as I recall wanting to be on the commitee to investigate the consolidation. But upon being brought to light in 19 Burnett Street in grand fasion by the Grand Master of Masons for the state of NJ, I realized something: Lodge designations are another trapping. We are all brother Masons and should act as such.

My time in the chairs has taught me one thing: your word is all you truly need in this life. Keep that, and nothing shall ever go wrong. I think people should join not to have a ring or a fancy title in a secret club. Join for what we all signed up for and vowed to uphold: the ideals of equality among men and the fact that we want to be better men.