KFerguson84
Premium Member
I ran into a situation regarding my Masonic membership and I just wanted to see if any of you have experienced similar situations and how you handled it. Here's the story:
I received text messages from a few of my friends last night telling me they are disappointed in me that I ditched my "real friends" for "my other friends that I have to pay for." The guys that sent me these texts have never evolved out of the party stage of the early 20s. I am 26 years old and married and am an avid Mason. I did my share of partying in my day but have outgrown it and have found something that I love in Freemasonry. I truly cherish my Masonic membership.
These guys are mad that I spend my time doing Masonic activities instead of drinking and partying with them and feel that I should stop spending my time doing Masonic things so I can do what they consider fun.
Now here's the dilemma, I do value their friendships. One of them was even a groomsman in my wedding in May. But it is impossible to explain to them that I don't have the desire to party that like anymore. They don't comprehend how anyone could not want to get wasted all the time.
So, how do I keep my friendships with these guys without changing my lifestyle? I will never give up my Masonic membership. But I would like to make them understand that this is who I am now and they should respect me for it without offending them or implying that they should get their act together and be like me, which is not at all what I'm attempting to say.
I'd love to hear what you guys think about this.
Kyle Ferguson, FGCR
I received text messages from a few of my friends last night telling me they are disappointed in me that I ditched my "real friends" for "my other friends that I have to pay for." The guys that sent me these texts have never evolved out of the party stage of the early 20s. I am 26 years old and married and am an avid Mason. I did my share of partying in my day but have outgrown it and have found something that I love in Freemasonry. I truly cherish my Masonic membership.
These guys are mad that I spend my time doing Masonic activities instead of drinking and partying with them and feel that I should stop spending my time doing Masonic things so I can do what they consider fun.
Now here's the dilemma, I do value their friendships. One of them was even a groomsman in my wedding in May. But it is impossible to explain to them that I don't have the desire to party that like anymore. They don't comprehend how anyone could not want to get wasted all the time.
So, how do I keep my friendships with these guys without changing my lifestyle? I will never give up my Masonic membership. But I would like to make them understand that this is who I am now and they should respect me for it without offending them or implying that they should get their act together and be like me, which is not at all what I'm attempting to say.
I'd love to hear what you guys think about this.
Kyle Ferguson, FGCR