Freemasonry is a community effort and yet a very personal decision.
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Not everyone joins Freemasonry for the same reason .
Furthermore, the purpose one joins may not be the same as why one stays in Freemasonry.

The following are sharings from some of our members about why they are Freemasons in the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women Le Droit Humain, American Federation™.

By Sister Theresa of Amen-Ra Lodge #584

I studied comparative religions in college where I read about Freemasonry. After reading volumes about Freemasonry and finding answers I was looking for I asked to be admitted. Freemasonry has been a guiding light throughout my life and in my business. I feel it guided me with integrity and determination to make a difference in the world. I joined in 1979 at a young age and have been a member for over 40 years.

By Brother Jean-Pierre of Orpheus Lodge #553

I am fascinated by the “journey”: this progression of every human being through life. At times passively living it, at times actively seeking truth and light. It is like a winding path that goes up from a valley to the mountainside, reaches ridges opening the view to higher summits beyond and a broad view of the valley below. Progressing through Freemasonry, you discover how the masonic journey can broaden and deepen you, morally, intellectually and spiritually.
 
The masonic experience starts as an initiatory journey. Initiatory: adjective derived from initiation, from the Latin “initium”, the beginning. The initiatory journey means going from one state to another. It is physical and mental.
 
Mythology on that theme is abundant. It is found from Mesopotamia to Egypt, the Celts to the Scandinavians, the Japanese to the Mayans. Every culture has its myth about the quest to go beyond our own limits by taking challenges, facing trials, encountering symbolic death and becoming reborn: regeneration of the ordinary human-being from their ashes, a cleansing of the body and the soul, the emergence of a better human-being.
 
There is a notion of introspection: Look deeply into yourself to discover yourself, find your soul, your meaning, your reality and your truths. Symbolized by the Greek at the entrance of the temple of the Oracle at Delphi is written “Gnoti seauton”: Know thyself.
 
In “Lessons for Living”, Caroline Adams writes: "Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation; continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path -- exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love." 
 
This is for me one of the most fundamental aspects of Freemasonry: an initiatory journey.

By Sister Marie of Louis Goaziou Lodge #1953 

The reason I became a Freemason is quite simple. I had many conversations with my friend who is a FM. Freemasonry opened the door to me in the sense of togetherness and fraternity, collaborative work for the greater good. I was offered a choice between 2 lodges, one closer to my house than the other. Louis Goaziou, the furthest, appealed to me.
I have often wondered why but I always come to the same conclusion: we are gifted with so much diversity, ethnicity, cultural, social, etc that our work personal or collective has opened horizons within the Lodge members but also in their actions in the world.
I was extremely lucky to learn about Louis Goaziou himself and his journey via a book lent to me by my mentor. Learning about how Louis Goaziou, a man from nowhere, so to speak, built our Order in the United States pushed me to further the mission and obligation I took to myself and Freemasonry. This Lodge is my Mother Lodge and is still going full force. Sure, we have our down moments, but there is nothing that can stop this Lodge, the spirit of its members and the spirit of Louis Goaziou. I am happy that along my  journey, I found the means and the fraternity that make me feel that I can truly contribute to the progress of humanity.

By Sister CLS of Louis Goaziou Lodge #1953

Being a member of the International Order of Freemasonry for Men
and Women, Le Droit Humain, American Federation and Louis Goaziou
Lodge has changed my life in three ways; by the achievement of Liberty; the establishment of relationships of Equality and Fraternity between myself and all my Brethren.
My Mother Lodge represents my Primordial Self I call inside of me; My
Still, Small Voice of Light, as I live my life and my soul gains experiences, it grows and gives me positive expression in my everyday living while in the world. My Sacred Cauldron of situations, circumstances, and dilemmas (Survivals and Revivals) that always leads me back to Self-Reflection to work on my behavior modification pertaining to my Attitude and Character, to make sure that I AM always exemplifying the Great Attributes of Upholding the Honor of being a Master Mason.