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VWB Greg Stewart Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2003-2004 Mailto: underthetable@earthlink.net 13316 3rd NE |
Forty Two (January 2004)
Forty two is the answer to the ultimate question of the universe according to the "Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy". I turned 42 last month and considered that to be my license to offer the answers you may need. One of my favorite is - "7". Although not quite "42", it is easier to say and a lot easier to roll on a couple of dice. Perhaps you need something more fitting to your current situation.
Why did Dorothy like the scarecrow so much? Simple. Without a brain, he knew he was able to help the group and just did it. Wait a minute. How can he know without this brain thing? He was observant and morally upright. He operated on principle and made decisions based on the needs of the common good. I would vote for the scarecrow for president based on this simple attitude.
Have you seen those posters that say all I needed to know about life, I learned from my puppy? C'mon, did your puppy feed you when you were crying or dare to change your diaper? Your parents taught you early on that your basic needs would be taken care of and as you developed made it possible for you to attend school. In school you learn to read and write and eventually were able to read the poster. The concept of learning everything from a puppy is a misnomer and should not be jaded by a cute picture of a small canine that may just as well urinate on the kitchen floor. That is not the answer and such behavior will cause you to be escorted to the outer door and not allowed back in.
We recently had a workshop for long range planning at District Four and the strongest message I got was simple. If we keep doing what we are doing we will fail. Hard to take, isn't it? If we keep at the rate we are maintaining there will be no Masons in five years. A friend of mine who considered himself a raging liberal and radical non-conformist had a concept he frequently referred to as counter revolutionary. I have not seen him in years as he has moved to Guatemala. He gave up on his dreams and blames the U.S. government for his problems, go figure. His concept of counter revolutionary is that someone who is revolutionary in thinking works to become the leader and makes things the way he wants them. Once that is achieved, maintains a constant, hence the counter to the new way of thinking. We are doing just this. It is not my desire to be non-conformist as there certain physical laws that must be obeyed. It is my desire to stir the imagination and suggest that we take action that will benefit the common good in the future. Remember the scarecrow?
This is the holiday season and a time to celebrate the many
blessings that have been given to us on a silver platter.
That
leads to my next answer and a concept explained by simple mathematics.
What is the difference between zero and nothing?
"Zero" occupies a position on a number half way between one and negative one.
"Nothing" is not on the number ray and is simply non-existence. There are
some of you who may feel that because parts of your life are zero that you have
nothing. If you are reading this article, then there is a Mason within
reach. You will not be alone. There are many meetings, most of which
have a meal or other refreshment. You will not be hungry. These
meetings are indoors and heavily guarded by a Tyler without the door armed with
the proper implement of his office. You will be warm and secure.
Even if you are not a Mason, a brother will help with any of these basic life
problems.
The final and most important answer is one that Dorothy had to go to Oz to learn. My favorite quote from Samuel Clemens is one that rings through my head on a daily basis. "There have been many troubles in my life, most of which I never had." Dorothy was greatly troubled and decided to leave home. Remember my buddy the radical? She met with an accident that could have taken her most precious gift of life. After some really cool meditating that turned into one of my favorite stories she found she was carrying what she needed the whole time. She had the love of family and good friends. She had the guidance of people she trusted and they worked together. When she realized this she made it home. If we as Masons properly use the guidance of our family and friends and work together we can make it home or any other place we want to go.
Thanks to both the Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them. The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA. Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.