The Books in Randy’s Garage

 On Brotherhood, Self‑Help, and Becoming Better

One day I got a call from my buddy Randy asking me to come over and help him move some heavy items in his garage. When I arrived, I was reminded that Randy had one of those oversized garages that seemed capable of holding a lifetime's worth of possessions—and in his case, it practically did.

Randy greeted me with a grin and announced that his wife had finally "authorized" him to create a man cave in the back section of the garage. All we had to do was clear a path through decades of accumulated treasures.

As Randy moved things around, I stood near the workbench and took in my surroundings. Against one wall sat a wood stove.

"Randy, is that the wood stove you bought back in the eighties?" I asked. "The one I helped you move the day you bought it?"

"Yep," he replied. "I just haven't gotten around to installing it yet."

Nearby sat an avocado-green Naugahyde sofa.

"Isn't that your mom's old sofa from high school?"

"Sure is," he said proudly. "Still in great shape. It'll look perfect in my man cave."

As I surveyed the collection of memories and junk, my attention was drawn to a pink laundry basket sitting on the workbench. It was filled with books.

Now, Randy is a voracious reader. He can finish a book in a couple of evenings and takes excellent care of his collection. The books on his shelves inside the house are neatly organized and well maintained. These books, however, seemed strangely out of place.

I glanced at the titles.

I'm OK—You're OK.

Atomic Habits.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

Decluttering for Slobs.

How to Change Your Mind.

Every one of them was a self-help book.

"Randy," I asked, "what are all these books doing out here in the garage?"

He laughed and pointed at the basket.

"Those? My sister keeps giving them to me."

"Amy?" I asked.

"The psychologist?"

We both burst out laughing.

By the end of the afternoon, we had cleared enough space for Randy's man cave and created an impressive pile of items for disposal. As we stood admiring our work, I pointed toward the basket.

"Did you ever read any of those books?"

Randy shook his head.

"Tom, I'm sure they're all about ways to improve your life. I'm always trying to become a better man. Between my faith and Freemasonry, I've already got principles to guide me and brothers to support me. So I never got around to reading them."

I told him I hated seeing books thrown away and knew of a charity shop that would gladly take them.

"Great idea," he said. "Let me put them in your car."

As I drove home with the basket of books in the back seat, I found myself thinking about Randy's comment. He wasn't opposed to self-improvement. In fact, he had spent much of his life working to become a better man. He simply believed he already belonged to an organization that helped him pursue that goal.

That raised an interesting question.

What role does Freemasonry play in a man's journey of self-improvement, and how does it compare with the modern self-help movement?

Walk into any bookstore and you'll find entire sections devoted to personal development. Titles promise greater productivity, stronger relationships, financial success, better habits, and a more meaningful life. Millions of people purchase these books every year because they share a common desire: they want to grow. They want to improve their character, strengthen their discipline, discover lifes purpose, and live more fulfilling lives.

The popularity of self-help literature reveals something important about human nature. Most people recognize that they are unfinished works. They understand there is always room for improvement.

Freemasonry begins with a similar assumption.

For centuries, Freemasonry has encouraged men to examine themselves honestly, identify areas where they can improve, and strive to live according to higher principles. Its purpose has never been to create perfect men. Rather, it seeks to inspire good men to become better.

Many of the themes found in today's bestselling self-help books would be familiar to any thoughtful Mason.

Books such as Atomic Habits emphasize the power of small, consistent actions to shape a person's future. Freemasonry likewise teaches that character is developed gradually through daily effort rather than dramatic transformation.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People encourages readers to align their actions with their values. Freemasonry similarly asks its members to reflect upon their conduct and live according to moral principles.

Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning argues that people flourish when they discover purpose beyond themselves. Freemasonry encourages men to consider their duties to God, their families, their communities, and future generations.

Other popular books explore self-discipline, leadership, service, responsibility, and personal accountability, all themes that have long occupied a central place in Masonic teachings.

The similarities are significant. Yet Freemasonry offers something many self-help books cannot.

Community.

A self-help book can provide information. It can inspire reflection. It can offer practical advice. What it cannot provide is fellowship.

Freemasonry surrounds a man with brothers who share similar aspirations. He learns from mentors who have reflected on the same lessons for years. He participates in discussions that challenge his thinking and encourage his growth. Most importantly, he is not pursuing self-improvement alone.

Perhaps one reason men continue to seek out Freemasonry is that they are searching for companions on the journey of self-improvement. Becoming a better man is difficult when attempted alone. It is easier when surrounded by others who share similar values and aspirations. Within a lodge, a man finds brothers who encourage him when he struggles, challenge him when he becomes complacent, and celebrate his successes without jealousy or competition. The attraction of Freemasonry is not that it promises perfection, but that it offers fellowship among men who are sincerely trying to become the best versions of themselves.

This may be one reason Freemasonry has endured for centuries.

The principles themselves are not unique. Wisdom concerning discipline, integrity, purpose, and service can be found in many books. What makes Freemasonry distinctive is the manner in which those lessons are taught and reinforced. Through ritual, symbolism, mentorship, and fellowship, Masonic principles become more than ideas to be admired. They become ideals to be practiced.

At the same time, Freemasonry does not eliminate the value of self-help literature. In fact, the two can complement one another quite effectively.

Freemasonry may help a man identify areas where growth is needed. A self-help book may then provide practical tools for addressing those challenges. If a Mason wishes to improve his leadership skills, communication abilities, habits, or emotional intelligence, there are countless excellent resources available to assist him.

Perhaps the simplest way to describe the relationship is this: Freemasonry points toward the destination, while self-help books may help chart the route.

Both seek improvement. Both encourage reflection. Both challenge individuals to become better versions of themselves.

As I think back to that afternoon in Randy's garage, I still smile at the image of that pink laundry basket filled with self-help books. Randy was not rejecting personal growth. Quite the opposite. He had simply found a path that worked for him.

The books may have found a new home, but the desire they represented remains universal. Whether through books, mentors, faith, life experience, or the teachings of Freemasonry, men continue to pursue the same timeless goal: the lifelong task of becoming better than they were yesterday.

And yes...I did grab a couple of those books.