Michele Harper’s “The Beauty in Breaking” is a poignant, soul-stirring memoir that intertwines the demanding world of emergency medicine with profound personal reflection on healing, loss, and transformation. Harper’s experiences as an ER physician serve as a backdrop for a deeper narrative about the heart’s capacity for growth through brokenness. Her journey, both as a healer and as someone grappling with her own healing process, resonates with timeless themes of Freemasonry, particularly the first and third degrees—those of initiation and mastery—where the search for truth and self-transformation is paramount.

In Freemasonry, the first degree initiates the candidate into a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment through symbolic death and rebirth. Harper’s memoir echoes this transformative process as she writes, “God breaks the heart again and again and again until it stays open,” a sentiment that parallels the Masonic rite of death and rebirth. This ritual is not just about a physical death, but a shedding of the old self, allowing for the emergence of a new, more enlightened version. Harper’s reflections on her work as an ER physician and her personal trials illuminate the vulnerability and humility required to open oneself to transformation, much like a Masonic initiate must open their heart and mind to the truths that lie ahead.

The Third Degree, which focuses on the mastery of self and the resurrection of the spirit, finds its reflection in Harper’s words about healing. She states, “The stories I tell here will, I hope, take you into the chaos of emergency medicine and show you where the center is. This center is where we find the sturdy roots of insight that can’t be wind thrown by passing storms.” In Freemasonry, the third-degree candidate learns to confront their inner turmoil and emerge stronger—this aligns with Harper’s own process of navigating the chaos of life’s challenges and finding the strength to heal and help others. Her exploration of Kintsukuroi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold, speaks directly to this idea. Just as broken pottery becomes more beautiful in its repaired state, so too can our broken hearts and minds become more vibrant and whole through the mending process.

Throughout her memoir, Harper delves into the painful yet necessary acts of letting go and embracing impermanence. She writes, “It is human nature to want to bind ourselves to the parts of life we hold dear… But this type of binding frays and tears until, even when we fight the awareness, we’re forced to see how illusory the reliance on permanence is.” This notion of letting go mirrors the Masonic teachings of attachment and detachment. Freemasonry encourages its members to seek a higher understanding of the material world and to move beyond attachment to the fleeting nature of life, just as Harper learns to surrender to the ebb and flow of her experiences.

Harper’s narrative is also deeply aligned with Masonic values of service and the interconnectedness of humanity. Her reflections on healing capture the essence of the Masonic brotherhood’s ethos: “It is an opportunity, should we choose it, to heal the human body and spirit. By healing ourselves, we heal each other. By healing each other, we heal ourselves.” This cyclical nature of healing mirrors the concept of mutual support within the Masonic Lodge, where brothers work together for the common good, each contributing to the collective well-being. Harper’s writing emphasizes that true healing occurs when we are both vulnerable and compassionate, qualities that are fundamental to the Masonic path.

Finally, the message of rebirth and renewal in The Beauty in Breaking echoes the Masonic understanding of spiritual progress and enlightenment. Harper writes, “True happiness only and always comes from within. In these and countless other ways, there is no gain without loss… True living comes from being able to hold peace and love for oneself, and from sharing that unwavering, unconditional love, knowing that all life depends on this.” This is the essence of Masonic wisdom—the understanding that the path to self-mastery is one of constant transformation, where each loss leads to a deeper understanding and a greater capacity for love and service.

In conclusion, The Beauty in Breaking is not just a memoir; it is a guide to the process of personal and collective healing. Michele Harper’s honest reflections on her life as a healer and her journey of self-discovery mirror the transformative journey of a Mason, particularly in the initiation and mastery of self in the first and third degrees. Her words remind us that true strength is found in vulnerability, that healing is a shared process, and that in the breaking, there is beauty.

John C. Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Anniversary Edition) remains a cornerstone in the study of leadership principles. Through clear and accessible language, Maxwell distills 21 key laws that define effective leadership and provide a practical framework for personal and organizational growth. While the book offers timeless insights for anyone in a leadership role, its applications within Freemasonry are particularly compelling, as many of the laws resonate deeply with the core values and practices of this ancient Brotherhood. In summary, there are eight laws of leadership that directly relate to practices within the Craft.

The Law of the Lid: Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness. This law speaks to a foundational truth in Freemasonry—leadership ability is crucial for progress within the Lodge. The impact of a leader is directly tied to their ability to lead with skill and wisdom. Maxwell emphasizes that effective leadership enhances the entire group, and this mirrors the Masonic belief that each brother contributes to the collective well-being of the Lodge. This is demonstrated through the collective contribution each officer plays in opening and closing the Lodge as well as performing the many rituals with the Fraternity.

The Law of Influence: True leadership is measured by influence, not authority or position. In Freemasonry, leadership is not derived from titles but from the ability to guide, teach, and influence others with wisdom and virtue. The most respected leaders in Masonry often hold little formal power, yet their influence is undeniable. Within my own experience in the Craft, many Lodge officers and mentors have always emphasized that the impact and influence of a Brother on the Craft is not related to their status as an officer. Rather, it is their desire to serve the Lodge and contribute to its mission of spreading harmony and love. This law speaks to the importance of ethical leadership, where influence is built on trust, respect, and mutual regard.

The Law of Process: Leadership develops daily, not in a day; it requires continuous growth. Freemasonry itself is a journey of personal development and self-improvement. The Masonic ritual emphasizes the ongoing process of moral and spiritual growth. Each attempt at the ritual, opening and closing the Lodge, and the experience of helping others on their Masonic journey at each stage pulls a person into the past, present, and future directions of their own Masonic journey. In a way, we are taught that the Craft is represented as an ongoing process of perfection rather than obtaining such perfection. Maxwell’s Law aligns with this, encouraging leaders to embrace the long-term, incremental process of development rather than seeking quick success or instant results. It’s about becoming a better version of oneself, a principle echoed throughout Masonic teachings.

The Law of Navigation: Leaders chart the course and guide others through challenges. Freemasons are often called to navigate complex moral and philosophical challenges, and a good leader in the Lodge is someone who helps others find their way through these challenges. Maxwell underscores that leadership is not about commanding from a distance, but about helping others through troubled times.

The Law of Addition: Effective leaders serve others by adding value to their lives. This principle is deeply rooted in Freemasonry, where the role of a leader is seen as one of service and mentorship. Such a law is delivered clearly within the Charge of the Entered Apprentice Degree. Each Brother has a duty of mentoring and teaching those behind. And those who enter the Craft have a duty to listen, process, and apply such knowledge as deemed worthy and true. A true Masonic leader is not self-serving but dedicates himself to improving the lives of others—both inside and outside the Lodge.

The Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership; integrity is crucial. Integrity is the bedrock upon which Freemasonry is built. Masons pledge to uphold high moral standards and are bound by a code of honor. This theme is directly unpaced within the Third Degree and the Hiramic Drama. The notion of one’s integrity and personhood comes into question with regards to the tenor and ultimate impact of one’s life in pursuit of the divine and its union to all things. Maxwell’s Law is a powerful reminder that leadership, in any context, rests on the solid foundation of trust. A Masonic leader who lacks integrity cannot lead effectively or inspire others.

The Law of Empowerment: Secure leaders give power to others, fostering growth and confidence. In Freemasonry, leadership is not about hoarding power but about empowering others to rise to their full potential. This is especially true in the Lodge, where experienced members actively seek to develop younger Brothers, teaching them the lessons of leadership through example. Maxwell’s Law resonates with this aspect of Masonic leadership, where great leaders elevate others, knowing that the success of the Lodge depends on the collective strength of its members.

The Law of Legacy: A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession; they should invest in future leaders. Freemasonry places significant emphasis on succession, ensuring that future generations of Masons are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to lead. The transition of power from one master to the next ensures the Fraternity and ongoing goal of love and brotherly love is not squandered through the desire for power and prestige. Maxwell’s Law underscores the importance of mentorship and the long-term vision of leadership. A Masonic leader’s greatest legacy is not just their own accomplishments but the strength and growth of the Lodge that continues after them.

In conclusion, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership provides invaluable insights that can be applied to all forms of leadership, including Freemasonry. Its lessons on trust, integrity, service, empowerment, and succession are particularly relevant to Masonic teachings. Whether you’re a seasoned Mason or new to the Craft, Maxwell’s timeless principles offer a roadmap to becoming a more effective and ethical leader within the Lodge and beyond.