Changes & Challenges
Brothers, Peoria #31 is being challenged with changes ... and change (someone once said) is the essence of life ... but every time I find the meaning of life, someone goes and changes it! So, as Reinhold Niebuhr wrote, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Change has effected the personal life of our brother SD, Todd Kalina and, as a result, he finds it necessary to step out of the officer's line. Todd is a very valuable asset to this lodge and will be sorely missed.
But the difficulties of life in the lodge are intended to make us better, not bitter. So the lodge (and particularly the officers down line from the SD entrusted with its care) must view this adversity as having the effect of eliciting talents which, in perfect circumstances, would have lain dormant. "Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them." - Hugh Miller
"Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle." - James Russell Lowell
The line of adversely effected officers (Walter Young, Bill Miller, Dale Justus & Zenji Reynolds) have accepted the challenge that change has laid at their feet. I applaud their courage. Members of this lodge should be willing to support them in their swim against the tide of trouble, to help them grab the knife by the handle and use it as a tool for progress. Remember brothers, a little bit of praise and encouragement will go a long way to helping them achieve the goal of skipping chairs and becoming proficient against all odds.
It has been said that there are six pillars of character. These important character traits should be incorporated into each of our lives to assist us in achieving new goals, especially those in the line. Character counts ... maybe more so than memorizing ritual ... for what good is memorizing ritual to achieve proficiency in your ultimate goal of becoming Master if you aggravate and alienate brothers along the way and fail to get voted into the higher positions of pedestal chairs?
Use the points listed below to help you advance through life without friction, working smoothly and efficiently to become a better man. Some points you may be familiar with, others you may be deficient in and have to work to overcome. Use the three precious jewels of a FC Mason (an instructive tongue, an attentive ear, and a faithful breast) to improve yourself in Masonry.
Trustworthiness - be honest, reliable, and do the right thing to build a good reputation. Be loyal - stand by your lodge brothers in all circumstances (M & T E).
Respect - treat others with respect, use good manners, and be tolerant of differences. Be considerate - of others feelings.
Responsibility - be self-disciplined, exercise self-control, think before you act, and consider the consequences of rude and crude behavior. Be accountable - do what you are supposed to do.
Fairness - share your good fortune, listen to others, and be open minded. Be just - don't take advantage of others, blame them, or shame them carelessly.
Caring - have compassion for your brothers in lodge, one and all, express gratitude, and show kindness. Be forgiving - help those in need.
Citizenship - do your share to make your lodge better, cooperate, and get involved in lodge affairs. Be informed - a good neighbor respecting authority.
I don't mean to preach, brothers, I only wish to support your efforts at becoming better men. These are common sense points that can be applied to all walks of life successfully. But sometimes common sense ain't so common!
So, "when you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." - FDR |
