What I would value in life now is advice from experienced and successful people about how I can fail less often in my business and personal life and how I can succeed more often. I'm not saying I'm doing that poorly now. Rather, that I have a feeling I am not hitting on all cylinders, so to speak. If I had someone to tell me what not to do I am sure it would be of use and value.
John, It depends on how you define success. If you mean money then you are in the wrong place. If you see success as having an inner sense of Honor, Happiness, and Integrity then you are asking the right question. But I caution you that just as no man is forced to become a Mason, no Mason is forced to learn these lessons. The lessons are offered to Masons in the form of symbols and allegory. It is up to the individual to study and decipher their meaning. It is not an easy task. Yes, having older, wiser men to guide you is a plus. But remember this:
Some things cannot be taught using words, they must be experienced to be understood. What Masonry offers is the experience of Manhood, of Character Building, of Individual Self Improvement. The work to make these things your own is up to you. When I was a new Mason I expected to be given these things, and I was disappointed. I considered quitting. What I discovered was that my disappoint was of my own making. That was disappointment was due to what Masons call my own "vices and superfluities" A good definition of this is:
Vices and Superfluities
The word "vice" comes from Latin where it means "a flaw or weakness." A stone with a flaw is not suited to the builder's use. Its flaw will weaken the whole building. A man with a flaw is – well, all of us. Don't kid yourself. We are all imperfect, even if we rise to the level of "good enough to pass." Vice is about not living up to the ideals we know are there, the ideals we strive for. It's about failing to care about other people and the hurtful consequences of our actions. Living in the moment is a good thing, but not if you lack compassion for others, not if you are only thinking about your own pleasure, wealth, or power.
One of the first things a Mason is taught is that he should begin ridding himself of these. For me it didn't happen easily or quickly, but the
experience and the
understanding that I acquired as a result have made me the man I am today.
As for the age of the members; I find that in my Lodge the younger people may be outnumbered but they are the ones who are taking the leadership roles.