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St. Andrews #35 |
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www.standrews35.org |
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Leadership,
Life and Love |
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By WM Paul Reckamp |
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February |
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In order to have a meaningful and rewarding existence, I focus on three things: leadership, balancing life’s priorities, and love. In a series of forthcoming articles I will try my best to articulate why these are the ingredients for success and fulfillment. Not only is this a recipe that works well within the fraternity, but it is also applicable in marriage, raising children or working within the corporate environment. In this article, I will address the subject of balancing life’s priorities. Have you ever been told by someone to, ‘get a life?’ Now I’m sure the originator of that expression, who also by the way may be using his finger to let you know, ‘you’re number 1,’ construed the comment so that it would be interpreted it in a negative way. I would like to think that he was suggesting that you try to balance life so that you can reap the most benefits from it and contribute the most to it. That would imply that you would need to manage and prioritize the time spent with your activities and loved ones. Over time, I have found that the happiest people are those that are able to prioritize and balance their commitments to fit in the ever dynamic rollercoaster called life. For example, if upon becoming a Mason, you had no children, you probably would have plenty of time to devote to the fraternity. It is unrealistic to think that once you marry and have babies your wife would want you to spend the same amount of time basking in the Masonic light when you should be home changing diapers. Same goes with anyone that has a spouse who becomes ill and needs your love and support at home. We need Masons that can balance their priorities and have the wherewithal to step down from obligations that they can no longer realistically support, in a timely and proactive way. If you have a happy and harmonious life, then the time you spend with us will be satisfying and fulfilling to the fraternity and you. So the next time someone tells you to get a life, just say, ‘Thanks, I am trying my best!’ and then maybe if you are feeling vivacious and sprightly at that particular moment, you can also let them know they are indeed, ‘number 1.’ J I have lined up some of the best Masons I know to speak about Masonic leadership. Our January 5th Stated Meeting featured MWB Bill Miller’s moving leadership presentation “Falling Oaks.” Our February 2nd Stated Meeting will feature the official visit of VWB Alden Sarmiento, Deputy of the Grand Master. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and our Stated Meeting is at 7:45pm, every first Saturday of the month, except July and August. Wednesdays at 6:30 are reserved for “Choir Practice,” a brotherly, informal get together. I’m looking forward to having you join us. |