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How did Adults back in the olden days find time to join organizations like the Freemasons or American Legion?

Nowadays, with work and the household duties and all these other daily obligations, it's a miracle if one finds any free time for themselves! How did people of previous generations find the time or the willingness to attend organizations with members of a community? I'm 22 and most of my peers (including myself) don't bother with attending organizations (such as religions) that aren't employment-related. The sentiment is, if it doesn't relate to my needs, then it's a waste of time.

Public Comments

1. they didn't have tv or internet back in the day, the entire lifestyle was different. Perhaps they just applied themselves more. Probably didnt have 8 hour workdays either.
2. Freemasonry isn't religious, it just says that on the website so hysterical God devotees won't attack them. George Bush is in Freemasonry.
3. they didn't have tv. that sucks up hours of our lives in meaningless drivel. night times people wants to socialize. it was too dark to work. the organizations helped with business contacts and today the odd fellows still have cemetery's. some of the fraternals also provided for retirement or sustained families who lost their bread winners. remember, the government did not pay people who couldn't work. the meetings could last for hours before any action by some of the members.
4. You'd attend a ditto-head rally though, wouldn't you? Feminazi is the most offensive phrase Rush ever coined, and that's saying something.
5. I belong to the Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias Peace Through Understanding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias and its members are dedicated to the cause of universal peace. Pythians are pledged to the promotion of understanding among men of good will as the surest means of attaining Universal Peace. We believe that men, meeting in a spirit of goodwill, in an honest effort of understanding, can live together on this earth in peace and harmony. We seek those who agree with this belief, and have a belief in a personal Supreme Being, to join our ranks in an effort to reach "Peace Through Understanding". The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress
6. Many still do find time but you are right, many of the younger generation are so wrapped up in themselves they can't think of anyone else, or the good they could be doing for others. The more religion fails the less people will do for others.
7. If your spiritual well-being isn't important, then nothing will be of importance in life. When things get really down and out, where are you going to turn. Your friends won't have the time for you and all the other things that you think are so important won't know who you are in a time of need. When you grow up you will find that some things are not to be left unattended.
8. How did Adults back in the olden days find time to join organizations like the Freemasons or American Legion? Simple, they made time for the activities they wanted to participate in. Work is necessary, but not every minute of the day. Always working sounds boring.
9. I'm thinking the freemasons were always and remain businessmen with comparatively conventional hours, leaving time, and those who joined the American Legion made time, so much brotherhood as was and remains a companionship unavailable elsewhere but among themselves. I'd also suggest that women's rights have nothing to do with Naziism, and that you not succumb to such a ridiculous association as promoted by extremists. You may be too young to know the true history when women died in the streets promoting our rights, as this week in Congress, women were again denied the right to equal wage for equal work.
10. I am not a senior, or even close, but it is all about setting priorties. If something is important to you, you make time for it. I have a full time job, various fun time pursuits, and I still find time to volunteer and make a difference in my community and the lives of others.
11. It's all about priorities and making time for those things you enjoy doing. And that's the key, they enjoyed doing them so it was easy to adjust their schedules. I work a full time job and have the same busy schedule as most but still find time to visit others and help those in need and bless people as I'm allowed.
12. Demands on an individuals time nowadays seems much greater then in days past. But is it a mirage. As communications have intruded into the home on an unprecedented level. Work cell phones, Blackberries and smart phones allow workers to be connected to work 24/7. prior to the 1980s and Al Gore 'inventing' the internet, people made time to do those things that enriched their lives. Many chose organizations like Freemasonry or Rotary Clubs, etc. These organizations had many facets but some of the best were the fellowship and community involvement. Fellowship that members would gather and actually talk to other people face to face as there was no Facebook status updates. Find out about friends and acquaintances and how they are doing. Make lifelong friendships based on common beliefs. As a side result networked with community leaders. One thing that most Fraternal organizations espouse for centuries is make time for others, and not just yourself. This is what is wrong today. People walk around with their faces buried in a cell phone or crack-berry and are oblivious to everything going on around them. The sentiment you refer to is so selfish and self centered. I am surprised you cannot see that. It is the job of everyone to, as far as they are able, help those members of the human family that need it and are worthy of it. No offense but at 22 your not fully cooked yet. I can see why this generation has been dubbed the "ME" generation. Joining one of these honorable organizations may not be your cup of tea, but if you make time for others especially to help in some way in your community that does not benefit you monetarily, you may discover something about yourself that you did not know before. Organizations like Freemasonry, Rotary, Lions, American Legion, etc. may seem like a waste of time to the "Me" generation but we need these organization more today then every before in history.
13. I work full time, run a business on the side, have a list of TV shows I can't miss, spend time on the internet, and go out with my wife to concerts and such at least 3 times a week. I spend weekends at home with my family and remodeling a house... and I still find time for worship and to be a member of such an organization. I find doing so a rewarding experience, which is the ultimate meeting of my needs, if you will. Fact is you can find the time for just about anything you put your mind to. Actually one of the first lessons expressed in Freemasonry is the importance of dividing your time to meet all of your obligations including the obligation to yourself of rest, and to not allow any one obligation overwhelm or shortchange the others. At 22, I understand your position, by about the time you hit 27 however you will find the need to be defined to yourself and others by much more than just your career.
14. 40 and 50 years ago people watched very little TV and no other video entertainment. The activities you could do was determined by your financial situation (no credit cards).Same for the kids. So people had plenty of time after work and weekends for those activities. Average people did not buy a lot of things and do many activities. Kids in school had after school activities.Why wouldnt people have had time or desire to attend meetings? What would prevent them??
15. ADULTs still find time. Children run willy - nilly with play time, dashing from one play thing to another with narrow vision. Most of the orders were made up of men in the long ago and meetings took place in the evenings and the wife was at home with those duties and children. At your age you are still connected to the high school group and as you get older and you all go your separate ways you will have less in common and need to find a way to connect to others with like interests.