Building Better Builders Workshops - 06/27/2012
Fellow Travelers!
Good News! The Florida Lodge of Research is sponsoring three "Building Better Builders" Workshops in three different locations in Florida. One on July 14th (Doric Lodge No. 140, Ft. Lauderdale, FL), one on August 4th (Sanford Lodge No. 62, Sanford FL) and one on September 8th (Jackson Lodge No. 1, Tallahassee FL). Event hours 9 am to 4 pm.
All Worthy Master Masons Welcomed.
Please review the following link for further infomation/details.
FLOR 2012 Flyer
Please feel free to contact me should you want to bring these Building Better Builder Workshop events to your area too.
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Bro. Coach N
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
In the Shadow of His Dogwoods.
From Three to FourFour-leaf clovers are a rarity. Anyone who has sought them for any length of time knows that they are not an easy find. I know this from experience. In my childhood, I had amassed a fine collection of Four-leaf clovers, despite their scarcity. Finding them was not a challenge for me. I knew how to find them! I had PROOF! So much so that by age 13 I had included in that collection two perfect Five-leaf clovers.
At that age though, something shifted for me. I don't know what it was. All I do know is that from that moment on Four-leaf clovers hid from my sight. No matter what field I encountered and no matter how hard I looked, I could not find even one. And I did look for them endlessly.
With time and disappointment, I found I was less likely to look down for I already knew that what I sought would not likely be there for my efforts. Occasionally, I'd look down and spot a field of clover and smile, warmly recalling my childhood joys. Any effort made to improve my success quickly reminded me of the frustrations of past efforts. Sadly, I must report that for forty years all my effort yielded nothing but disappointment. I have sought long and hard for additions to my fine collection and found them not.
I share this to set the context of what is to follow. Something shifted for me this weekend. Last afternoon, I came upon a field of clover and my childhood fancy imposed itself upon my will. I found myself wondering if my "luck" had changed. In that moment, I gave into childish thoughts and I sat down upon my heels in this field. I had done it again, like so many times in my life; I ventured into a gathering of green. Within 5 seconds of youthful excitement, I had found a Four-leaf clover. WOW! I reached down and plucked its stem long and continued my hunt like a kid in a candy store. I hit a vein of luck for within 6 minutes I gather a total of ten Four-leaf clovers with some appearing to be transforming into Five-leaf clovers.
I slept unusually sound that evening.
This morning I have scheduled in my day a return to this field with full expectation of gathering ten Five-leaf clovers.
From Four to More
Today I ventured out to the clovers that delighted me in the late day sun. I ran to the area were I found ten Four-leaf clovers just twelve hours earlier. I looked down to glean what exciting finds I might spy. Immediately I saw another one! Another Four-leaf clover! “WOW” I thought. My lucky streak continued.
I found four more gems very quickly and looked around to see if there were any more spots that might yield more bounty. The square acre at my disposal showed much promise and I venture forth toward other areas that “clovered up” out of the grass.
I sought my prey. I did so with vigor. I did so with earnest. I did so for one hour and found nothing, no matter where I looked. I felt disappointed even after all those that I had already found.
I decided to go back to where I found the others. Within minutes, I found one that seemed to have more than four leaves. Could it be? I carefully pulled it out of the ground and snipped its stem with my fingernails. I unfolded it carefully, counting the leaves as I went. One, two, three, four, FIVE! SIX! SEVEN!!!! Wow! I WAS STUNNED!
I sat there on the ground in disbelief. My mind raced as I contemplated what must have occurred for such a high count. I counted two more times to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Each time I arrived at a seven pedal count – WOW! I had in my hand a genuine Seven-leaf clover!
I was inspired to invest another thirty minutes of my morning and uncovered a total of ten Four-leaf, one Five-leaf and two Seven-leaf clovers. I was quite pleased to have broken my 40-year streak of not finding a single Four-leaf clover.
Whelmed, I sat there in the sun basking in my good fortune and I it was only then that I noticed something for the first time. In all the areas that I found my Four, Five and Seven-leaf clovers, there existed two Dogwood trees. In fact, it was only in the areas where the shadows of these two trees fell that I had found these gems.
In the Moment
It was in that moment that I recalled something very special. These two trees were planted in remembrance of my dad, who had died only a few years before. They were chosen because he loved Dogwood trees ever since he had converted to Catholicism and discovered their association with Christ.
As I sat there, I became still inside. My excitement died down and a deep gratitude swept over me. For some reason, it was only in the shadows around these two Dogwoods that the ground brought forth these wonderful delights.
For forty-years, I had no luck finding four-leaf clovers. And yet right here in the shadow of His Dogwoods, my cup runneth over.
F&S,
Brother John S. Nagy
Today I ventured out to the clovers that delighted me in the late day sun. I ran to the area were I found ten Four-leaf clovers just twelve hours earlier. I looked down to glean what exciting finds I might spy. Immediately I saw another one! Another Four-leaf clover! “WOW” I thought. My lucky streak continued.I found four more gems very quickly and looked around to see if there were any more spots that might yield more bounty. The square acre at my disposal showed much promise and I venture forth toward other areas that “clovered up” out of the grass.
I sought my prey. I did so with vigor. I did so with earnest. I did so for one hour and found nothing, no matter where I looked. I felt disappointed even after all those that I had already found.
I decided to go back to where I found the others. Within minutes, I found one that seemed to have more than four leaves. Could it be? I carefully pulled it out of the ground and snipped its stem with my fingernails. I unfolded it carefully, counting the leaves as I went. One, two, three, four, FIVE! SIX! SEVEN!!!! Wow! I WAS STUNNED!
I sat there on the ground in disbelief. My mind raced as I contemplated what must have occurred for such a high count. I counted two more times to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Each time I arrived at a seven pedal count – WOW! I had in my hand a genuine Seven-leaf clover!
I was inspired to invest another thirty minutes of my morning and uncovered a total of ten Four-leaf, one Five-leaf and two Seven-leaf clovers. I was quite pleased to have broken my 40-year streak of not finding a single Four-leaf clover.
Whelmed, I sat there in the sun basking in my good fortune and I it was only then that I noticed something for the first time. In all the areas that I found my Four, Five and Seven-leaf clovers, there existed two Dogwood trees. In fact, it was only in the areas where the shadows of these two trees fell that I had found these gems.
In the MomentIt was in that moment that I recalled something very special. These two trees were planted in remembrance of my dad, who had died only a few years before. They were chosen because he loved Dogwood trees ever since he had converted to Catholicism and discovered their association with Christ.
As I sat there, I became still inside. My excitement died down and a deep gratitude swept over me. For some reason, it was only in the shadows around these two Dogwoods that the ground brought forth these wonderful delights.
For forty-years, I had no luck finding four-leaf clovers. And yet right here in the shadow of His Dogwoods, my cup runneth over.
F&S,
Brother John S. Nagy
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Building Perpends Release and Reviews
Building Perpends - 01/15/2012
Hello Fellow Travelers!
Volume 5 is now officially released. I have been given permission to post some reviews of my latest Masonic Education book, "Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 5" by dear Brothers.
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Bro. Coach N
-------------------
Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 5 - Book Reviews
The first four books in Dr. Nagy’s, “Building” series, were “home runs.” This book, Volume 5, is a “Grand Slam.”
Departing from his accustomed “catechism” style of writing, book five offers up “bite sized pieces” that, in many instances, require considerable “chewing.” It has many of the usual unexpected “aha” moments, entertaining but irritating times when it strikes close to home and, with his unique phrasing, unexpected use of capital letters and “dipherent” spelling of Words, it keeps one constantly on the lookout for little nuggets tuned toward stirring deeper thoughts.
Just as in his previous books, there are several encoded messages generously sprinkled throughout it. In an unexpected move though, he has kindly included in this book a key for deciphering each of them.
Perhaps the most enlightening parts are the many “Points to Perpend” at the end of some sections. If any Mason would take the time to review and respond to them, he would certainly learn much about himself.
All and all, this is another great read by Dr. Nagy, who tirelessly shares his Light. Let us hope he continues to do so.
Sincerely and Fraternally
Bro. Sam Douglas
--------------------------
"Brother John S. Nagy's latest volume in the Building Series, Building Perpends, is another "Homerun" in the field of Masonry. This should be mandatory reading for all Masons. How much better would be the product that our Lodges put forth, if only the Brothers were being taught these wonderful Masonic Lessons. No true Mason should return to the quarries of life without this book in his tool box." -- Brother Luther "Chop" Bodiford III, 33 Degree, Secretary Florida Lodge of Research #999
--------------------------
"Dr. Nagy's newest book, "Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education", is the fifth Volume in his "Building Builders Series of Masonic Education" books. It is an amazing read showing tremendous insights into the human condition. As an active Freemason for thirty years, I am humbled by my lack of knowledge pertaining to Masonry itself. For Freemasons, there are no secrets revealed. There are, however, many clues for you to discover and many allusions to research for your own betterment. I highly recommend "Building Perpends" for anyone searching for ways to improve one's Masonry and one's overall condition." -- Dale Thomas, 32 degree, P.M.
Hello Fellow Travelers!
Volume 5 is now officially released. I have been given permission to post some reviews of my latest Masonic Education book, "Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 5" by dear Brothers.
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Bro. Coach N
-------------------
Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 5 - Book Reviews
The first four books in Dr. Nagy’s, “Building” series, were “home runs.” This book, Volume 5, is a “Grand Slam.”
Departing from his accustomed “catechism” style of writing, book five offers up “bite sized pieces” that, in many instances, require considerable “chewing.” It has many of the usual unexpected “aha” moments, entertaining but irritating times when it strikes close to home and, with his unique phrasing, unexpected use of capital letters and “dipherent” spelling of Words, it keeps one constantly on the lookout for little nuggets tuned toward stirring deeper thoughts.
Just as in his previous books, there are several encoded messages generously sprinkled throughout it. In an unexpected move though, he has kindly included in this book a key for deciphering each of them.
Perhaps the most enlightening parts are the many “Points to Perpend” at the end of some sections. If any Mason would take the time to review and respond to them, he would certainly learn much about himself.
All and all, this is another great read by Dr. Nagy, who tirelessly shares his Light. Let us hope he continues to do so.
Sincerely and Fraternally
Bro. Sam Douglas
--------------------------
"Brother John S. Nagy's latest volume in the Building Series, Building Perpends, is another "Homerun" in the field of Masonry. This should be mandatory reading for all Masons. How much better would be the product that our Lodges put forth, if only the Brothers were being taught these wonderful Masonic Lessons. No true Mason should return to the quarries of life without this book in his tool box." -- Brother Luther "Chop" Bodiford III, 33 Degree, Secretary Florida Lodge of Research #999
--------------------------
"Dr. Nagy's newest book, "Building Perpends - Uncommon Aphorisms for Uncommon Masonic Education", is the fifth Volume in his "Building Builders Series of Masonic Education" books. It is an amazing read showing tremendous insights into the human condition. As an active Freemason for thirty years, I am humbled by my lack of knowledge pertaining to Masonry itself. For Freemasons, there are no secrets revealed. There are, however, many clues for you to discover and many allusions to research for your own betterment. I highly recommend "Building Perpends" for anyone searching for ways to improve one's Masonry and one's overall condition." -- Dale Thomas, 32 degree, P.M.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
