If you asked her if I was a better man from point A (first time I went to lodge) to point B (today) she would tell you yes. But she wouldn't give the credit to masonry, because I've managed to improve myself a fair bit over the 17 years since we've met and only the minority of those have been in the fraternity. She is a practical lady with a graduate degree, and I know her, so I know she'd smile and humor a mason who asked, or even me, but she figures its me who decided to improve, and me who did it.
But I know. I know how I admire the qualities I've found in my Brothers, and how I give those qualities thought. The man who taught me the work, for instance. He is a wise fella on some things that matter. I like that. I try to work that into the mix.
The man who was my top signer. I see the goodness of him practically glowing. I try to emulate him in my own small ways.
I see the men who speak well, at their ease and confidently. I look to the details. I watch, I listen, and I think about it.
Lots of that sort of thing. So she may not give the credit, but I do. She reckons I believe thats where it comes from, so it works. Like a placebo, or Dumbo's feather. That may be because she hasn't observed those small things in those men I have over time and noticed them cropping up in my own behavior. But like I say, I know.
Either way, your partner will feel you becoming a better man if they are paying attention, and you really do work at it.
