Merry Christmas and a Happy Improved Year! I must begin by wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas (or belated Happy Hanukkah). Particularly in this season, we hear about the importance of spending time with family and sharing on the joy of the Season. This is what leads me to the Christmas Confession... I am a workaholic! And it is particularly difficult for me to remove my working hat at times and devote my full attention to celebrations such as this. After all I am human! But my recognition of my struggle with leaving work away and focusing 100% on creating memories with Friends and Family is the first step in Becoming A Better Man. Here is my...
We have seen Freemasonry portrayed in film before, in movies like National Treasure and Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. But now, a new film by a fellow Freemason brings freemasonry to the spotlight in an exciting suspense film called The Freemason. This is part 2 of a 2 part interview (part 1) with a prolific entrepreneur, who will surely inspire you to reach out for your dreams, regardless of how impossible they might seem.We continue our conversation with the executive producer of The Freemason Movie. In this portion of the interview, we talk more in depth about the three films that Joseph James has created in the relatively short, yet prolific filmmaking career. You will listen to Bro. James' experience...
The Grand Lodge of The State of New York Free and Accepted Masons, opened its doors to the producers and reporters of the popular television program CBS Sunday Morning. Peek behind the veil of this mysterious organization on this candid and intriguing investigation. Mo Rocca from CBS Sunday Morning speaks with experts in Masonic History, including History Professor Margaret Jacob from UCLA, our dear Brother Brent Morris and New York State Grand Master James Sullivan. When I first learned that there would be a segment presented on CBS Sunday Morning, I was very excited. I enjoy watching this program with my wife almost every Sunday. Then, I couldn't wait to share the news with The Winding Stairs community. Especially because...
Have you ever watched a movie where your see someone wearing a Masonic ring? Or in the background you see some symbols related to Freemasonry? On this episode we speak with Joseph James, he is an actor, writer and producer, who happens to also be a Freemason. His last three films center around the subject of Freemasonry, its history and its influence in modern society. We talk about what took him to Hollywood, his experience in Freemasonry, the importance of mentorship and apprenticeship among many other things. This is part 1 of a 2 part interview with a prolific entrepreneur, who will surely inspire you to reach out for your dreams, regardless of how impossible they might seem.How a Fellow...
One of the most recent topics we've been discussing together within the Masonic Fundraiser sites has been the topic of Charity. It being known to us as one of the Seven Cardinal Virtues which throughout centuries have been part of every Mason’s life, it is of particular interest to me to explore some of the ways in which I could employ it in a practical way throughout my life. If we were playing a word association game, the first word that comes to my mind when I hear Charity is the word Love. This comes from one of the Sacred texts that we as Masons hold dear and I personally spend a lot of time reading, as it is the...
