“We begin unfinished. Then, little by little, we grow.”
Welcome
Picture this.
You are holding two stones.
One is rough.
However…
The other is smooth.
The rough stone looks unfinished.
Meanwhile…
The smooth stone looks ready to use.
Freemasonry places these stones together for a reason.
They show us where we begin.
Then…
They remind us who we may become.
What Are the Two Ashlars?
Let us keep it simple.
An ashlar is a stone used for building.
However…
The two stones are very different.
The Rough Ashlar has not yet been shaped.
Meanwhile…
The Perfect Ashlar has been made smooth and even.
Together…
They tell a story about growth.
💡 Did You Know?
Stone workers shaped rough blocks by hand.
First…
They removed the large, uneven parts.
Then…
They slowly made each stone fit for the building.
The Rough Ashlar
Think about your first day at school.
You did not know everything.
However…
That was completely normal.
You were there to learn.
Then…
Day by day, you gained new skills.
The Rough Ashlar reminds us of that starting point.
We all begin with more to learn.
🤔 Think About This
Can you remember something you once found hard?
Perhaps it was reading.
Or…
Perhaps it was swimming, cooking, or driving.
At first, you needed help.
However…
With time and practice, you improved.
The Perfect Ashlar
Now think about a skill you know well.
You may make it look easy.
However…
It probably took a lot of practice.
The Perfect Ashlar reminds us of that progress.
It shows what steady effort can do.
Even so…
It does not mean a person has become perfect.
Instead…
It shows that the person has worked to improve.
🌱 Better, Not Perfect
Nobody gets everything right.
We all make mistakes.
However…
Mistakes can help us learn.
So…
The aim is not to become flawless.
Instead…
The aim is to become a little better.
Why Are They Shown Together?
Picture a before-and-after photograph.
The first picture shows the starting point.
Meanwhile…
The second shows the change.
The two Ashlars work in the same way.
One shows where we begin.
Then…
The other shows what patient work may achieve.
Together…
They remind us that change is possible.
Shaping Our Character
Think about a stone worker.
The worker removes one rough part at a time.
In the same way…
We can work on our own faults.
Perhaps we need to become more patient.
Or…
Perhaps we need to listen more.
We may need to control our anger.
Meanwhile…
We may need to become more honest or kind.
Each small change helps shape our character.
⭐ Pause and Think
What is one part of yourself you would like to improve?
Do not choose ten things.
Instead…
Choose one small step.
Then…
Begin there.
The Tools Matter
Imagine trying to shape stone with your bare hands.
It would be almost impossible.
So…
A stone worker needs the right tools.
People need tools too.
However…
Our tools may be patience, thought, and good advice.
Learning can help us.
Meanwhile…
Honest friends can guide us.
Good values can also keep us on the right path.
Change Takes Time
Think about a garden.
A seed does not become a tree in one day.
Instead…
It grows slowly.
Our character grows in the same way.
First…
We make one better choice.
Then…
We make another.
Little by little…
Those choices become habits.
💡 Did You Know?
The Perfect Ashlar is sometimes called the Smooth Ashlar.
However…
Both names point to the same lesson.
Care and effort can improve what was once rough.
We Are All Still Learning
Now think about someone you respect.
That person still makes mistakes.
After all…
Everyone does.
The Perfect Ashlar does not tell us that growth ends.
Instead…
It reminds us to keep working.
There is always more to learn.
Meanwhile…
There is always another way to improve.
Do Not Judge Too Quickly
Picture a rough stone on the ground.
At first…
It may not look useful.
However…
A skilled worker can see what it may become.
People deserve the same care.
Someone may still be learning.
So…
We should not judge them only by their mistakes.
Instead…
We should notice their chance to grow.
⭐ Pause and Think
Has anyone ever believed in you?
Perhaps they saw something good that you could not yet see.
Now…
Could you show that same faith in someone else?
Different Ways to See Them
Some people see two blocks of stone.
Others think about old stone workers.
Meanwhile…
Many Freemasons see a picture of human growth.
They see the person they are today.
Then…
They think about the person they hope to become.
Both stones are needed to tell the full story.
Why This Still Matters
Everyone has faults.
Everyone also has strengths.
However…
We are not fixed forever.
We can learn.
Then…
We can change.
We can make better choices.
As a result…
We can become kinder, wiser, and more helpful.
That lesson will always matter.
What Does This Mean for Us?
The two Ashlars are not only about stone.
Instead…
They are about people.
Accept where you are today.
However…
Do not stop growing.
Work on one fault.
Then…
Build one good habit.
Be patient with yourself.
Meanwhile…
Be patient with others too.
After all…
Every finished stone was once rough.
⭐ Quick Summary
The Rough and Perfect Ashlars remind us to:
- accept that everyone begins unfinished
- learn from our mistakes
- improve one step at a time
- build good habits
- avoid judging others too quickly
- keep working on our character
The Rough Ashlar shows our starting point.
Meanwhile…
The Perfect Ashlar shows the value of steady effort.
Together…
They remind us that every person can grow.
Continue Exploring
The Rough and Perfect Ashlars remind us that change takes time, care, and honest effort.
Next, we will explore FM141 – The Point Within a Circle.
There…
We will learn how a simple shape can remind us to set good limits and keep our lives in balance.
You may also like to explore:
- FM120 – The Rough and Perfect Ashlars
- FM135 – The Winding Staircase
- FM139 – The Lewis
- FM141 – The Point Within a Circle
- FM199 – Master Index