"Lighting Your OWN Fuse -

A Glossary of Mission, Vision & Passion".   Available through Amazon.com.  (Signed and discounted from Amazon price through maclyfe@msn.com) Other options hardback and Kindle.

A book for the Ages, a book for all ages. A compilation of wisdom as old as man on earth coupled with the latest in leadership and self-actualization technology. A leader's bible "Lighting Your Own Fuse" helps your employees, Assn members, students, volunteers, team and you understand what is required if you are to prosper in these unprecedented times. Every person you lead, teach, influence, counsel, or supervise should be provided a copy of this remarkable glossary. 

Steve Tice, severely wounded Viet Nam war survivor said this about it...

This is a book aimed at healthy living and written with wisdom, compassion and humor. The world would be so much better off if books such as this were required reading for all citizens. If so we would have better insight into ourselves as well as those close to us, then logically expand that respect and understanding onward up the human chain to our communities and beyond. There is no need for the mean-spiritedness that prevails in our society and in some peoples' hearts. Sadly as a young soldier fighting, then severely injured on Viet Nam's Hamburger Hill, I witnessed man's inhumanity to man. I have spent my lifetime treading a path out of that mind and body-wounding experience. Mr. Macdonald is a person who has apparently seen much in his life. He has set motivation, stimulation, and insight to type and given us concrete choices towards living each day with a renewed faith in ourselves, hope, and the skills to do it with. "Lighting Your Own Fuse" is a guidebook for living life with passion and courage, rather than with a mindset of anger and lowered self-expectations. I have great appreciation for this book, and for this author putting his heart on the line to help us all gain a leg up in these difficult days."  Steve Tice

About the Author

Mac Alexander Macdonald, corporate and succession planning trainer, national speaker, counselor and motivator brings a wealth of applicable experience to this wonderful book. Combining his many years as a Teamster Supervisor on the Alaska Pipeline, Director of Personnel Development, many years with Boeing, work as an actor in "Apocalypse Now", "Murder She Wrote" and many television commercials, author and domestic violence counselor, some of the most respected organizations have relied on Mac to enlighten their employees at their places of business and stimulate conference attendees.

Order Your Copy

Lighting Your Own Fuse is available through maclyfe@msn.com, through Amazon.com, and other fine books stores. For an idea what's in store this review...

Mac Alexander Macdonald, Lighting Your Own Fuse: A Glossary of Mission, Vision & Passion, LYFECO, N.P. [Seattle, WA], N. D. [2011]. 176 Pages Book review in the Virginia Masonic Herald by Mark Walsh. 

THERE COME SOME TIMES when coincidence seems to be an easy explanation for the thought-provoking things that happen in one’s life. Is it a coincidence for Masons, who, if they are following the programs developed by their Grand Masters, are being encouraged to “Get Fired Up” about Freemasonry and now have a book available to them written by a fellow Mason titled “Lighting Your Own Fuse, a Glossary of Mission, Vision, and Passion”? I think not. 

If the reader wishes to find other non-Masonic reviews on this book, check out the Puget Sound Business Journal or other West Coast publications. Found are concepts through which, if read through the magnification of a Masonic lens, give guidance to the reader on being that person so keenly sought in this tumultuous world – the Better Man, the better person. 

Let’s look at the main body of his work “A Glossary of Mission, Vision, and Passion” first. In giving definitions for terms and concepts literally from ‘A’ to ‘Z’, Macdonald focuses on areas that should be common knowledge to most if not all members of an organization but altogether are too often not. He has defined fifteen entries for the word “Attitude” all of which focus on right and wrong ways of looking at life. These entries in and of themselves provide enough guidance for an average person to live a good and productive life. But we as Masons are called to be more than average. That is why readers will want to go cover to cover and not miss a word. There is so much health, wisdom, and guidance to unpack in this informative book that a single review can only provide the most summary information. 

Consider this: Mac Macdonald writes about commitment, courage, discipline, fear, forgiveness and over 200 other entries in such a way that a clear blueprint emerges how to “best work and best agree” in our respective Lodges. Creative language describes some concepts and this is appropriate. One reads of “compassion with backbone” and thinks immediately of the relief of the worthy. Herein lies the lesson - read this book through a Masonic lens and you will find yourself in a very familiar place with a host of synonyms for signs, symbols and moral mysteries we all know. 

His “A Self Analysis Questionnaire” and “Goal Focusing on Steroids” provide activities that would benefit a group setting as committees are guided and organizational courses charted. In fact, it would be best without a doubt if Mac himself led the group through these exercises. Typical of the entire book, the exercises contain no judgment – there is no right or wrong answer…but there are right attitudes and methods. 

In “A Lesson to Salespeople” the art of selling is based on honesty, fraught with Temperance, and basted with Persistence. Recalling that we all have something to sell – whether we are selling a product, an idea to our members, or a moral concept to our own children – Macdonald returns a level of dignity to the concept of selling, ideas not talked about for a very, very long time.

His segment called “A Message to Entrepreneurs” is not only for those who wish to make themselves wealthy monetarily speaking, but also for those who have intellectual and emotional capital to invest, grow, and share. Here our author has stepped up a level from the sales staff to the owner – and we are all owners of our lives and destinies. Overcoming rejection, staying creative, and getting everyone onboard the future train are some of his concepts which sure sounds like the implementation of plans for one’s year in the East doesn't it? All leaders experience the challenges he refers to, and their ability to find Wisdom, Courage, Strength, and Beauty may determine how well those challenges will be overcome. 

Finally, this is a book for all humans who believe that we are relational beings. How we relate determines the world we live in, and Mac Macdonald encourages his readers to create, maintain, and continuously improve all of our relationships by taking responsibility (or response ability as he puts it) for ourselves, and for others as appropriate. That then ensures that the world in which we live as Masons is not just full of good men, but has risen to a place populated by Better Men. 

“Lighting Your Own Fuse: A Glossary of Mission, Vision & Passion” is a book that should be read officers in every lodge in Virginia and beyond. Keeping Our Fuses Lit, “Getting Fired Up” and then “Making a Difference Every Day” is what it is all about. This stimulating book provides a perfect way to create the process. 

What Readers Are Saying...

“This book delivers much more than promised. For anyone in a supervisory position this is an easily-absorbed resource guide that thoroughly covers the concepts central to Emotional Intelligence. For the individual it offers stimulating new insights for personal fulfillment; for the organization it means everything." Larry Reymore, Senior Program Leader, Context International

“Written with edge and wit, here is the meat from all the training seminars, videos, audios, and retreats in one place. A real find.”
Ivan Braiker, CEO Augme Technologies, Inc.

“Mac Macdonald is a master at casting off the shackles of jargon and providing us what we must know about human behavior in all of our relationships. This is especially applicable in groups and the workplace. His on-the-forefront information is critical if we are to succeed in making this a better world.”
James Robert Huntley, Founder, Council for a Community of Democracies