I was that boy, planning everything from a very early age. I had a number of career choices that interested me. When I was in 4th grade, I wanted to be like my Great Uncle Tom, an architect. I believed my mom when she told me I can be anything I want to be. I thought I was destined to be an architect. I soon learned that I was not very good at drawing nor was I very good at math. These kind of skill sets are most definitely something you would expect out of the next Andrea Palladio. I had to come to terms with this, I was not going to be any success as an architect. I did however, have a skill that I would be able to use and give me ambitions to look into different career ideas.
A rumor, my family is related to the great General Charles Cornwallis; sparked my interest in history. I found that history came easy. The memorization of quotes, dates and important figures was simple when you enjoyed what you were reading. A young 5th grader with a little bit of inspiration can learn a lot, provided the inspiration is in the right place. This love for history continued through out middle school and high school. My area of interests grew through out every bit of schooling that I received. I learned about Sociology, Psychology, Economics and all the different social sciences. I learned that I was good at Language Arts, regardless of the language I was capable of picking up some kind of understanding. Naturally, with these skills I soon found myself wanting to be not just in the political realm… No, I wanted to be the President of the United States of America. I studied all about the social sciences including law. I formed a plan on how to get there.
Step 1: Join the military, after all what is the Commander in Chief if he has no knowledge of his subordinates.
Step 2: Attend college while in the military.
Step 3: Get out of the military and attend Law school.
Step 4: Start own law practice and work in local political circles
I actually had the plan stepped out all the way up to the Inauguration day just as it is above. However, I found myself enjoying the first step entirely too much. My career ambitions have changed multiple times within my eight years of the Army. After the initial change of political ambitions, I wanted to just stay in the Army. It provided something that I didn’t quite have back in Flint, Michigan. Well, what most people don’t have back in Flint, Michigan… A job! In the Army money was good. I had little to no bills, no debt and everything was taken care of financially. I was making it compared to some of the friends and family that I left back home. I started my second step just simply because I needed a college degree to make it further in my military career. I really didn’t even care what my degree was in. It started out as a General Studies headed towards Legal Studies degree. I knew I wanted to stay in the Army and I didn't really need any particular degree to do so. So, I decided my best bet would be to just attend school with a degree set of something I was already good at, the social sciences.
After multiple tours over seas, travels across four different continents I can now say things have changed once again. I took a path that I didn't realize I would be taking. I knocked on a door three times and it was answered. From there everything began to change. I became very active in the world of Freemasonry. I knew a lot about Freemasonry simply because of my knowledge in American History, but never thought that one day I may become like so many of my heroes through out the World.
It was Freemasonry that introduced me to a new idea. I wrote a few personal opinions on a website regarding Freemasonry, and from there I was invited to write my own opinions and guaranteed to have readers who would be interested in what I had to say. This is how I met Freemason writer and pod-caster, Robert Johnson. His suggestions and assistance has turned my blog into a hit. I have since written an article for the Midnight Freemasons, and used my writing skills for a novel.
Since my decision to become a Freemason, I have decided to get out of the Army and find a new career. Mostly, I was going to become a Police Officer because of easy the transition would be from the military. It involved the things I loved; social sciences, law and serving my community. However, with the success I have had writing articles for this very blog and the Midnight Freemasons; I have found my ambition to go into law is no longer there. Instead, I want to use my social skills that I have learned through my schooling and my life amongst different cultures for something different. Something that I can use my writing skills for. Coming full circle to what I thought I was destined to be originally, an architect. Not an architect as I thought that I wanted to become as a kid, one who builds physical bridges and buildings.
No, an architect on a more symbolic level. Using my social and writing skills to help build the bridges between societies. To build buildings of knowledge. I as a Freemason have a more noble cause for my working tools. I have decided to become what I know in my heart as my destiny. I am a Freemason, an architect. I am a builder of words, an author.
A.G
