FROM THE EAST - JANUARY

As we enter into January, it’s time for what has become an American tradition, the making then subsequent breaking of New Year’s resolutions. These generally are internally focused and are usually quite specific. We plan to lose weight, quit smoking, get our finances in order, or make some other goal to help our lives be improved, if only marginally.

But the whole idea of New Year’s resolutions has become somewhat of a joke. We make them on January 1st and abandon them in a matter of weeks, or sooner. So many of us then conclude, due to past experiences, that this is an exercise in futility and is not something that should be taken seriously. We make them half-heartedly, just another New Years tradition like eating black-eyed peas or watching the ever-increasing number of college bowl games.

But this attitude can not only be self-defeating but may well keep us from fully embracing a path of true personal growth or keep us from living our lives to the fullest. If we truly examine what’s important to us, personal growth can be an act of profound moral significance. This growth can be targeted towards our relationships with family and friends, our work, our faith and yes, even Masonry. Rather then quickly throwing out a bullet point list of resolutions, many of them left over from prior years, I would simply look to the words of Benjamin Franklin who said, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”

Perhaps the disdain that many give to New Year’s resolutions is part of a growing passive approach to life we see in society today. And if we assume we can’t live up to our goals and will eventually break them anyway, then why not go ahead and get it over with and give in to temptation. It’s certainly the easiest road to take. But are we truly striving to be better men? Or better Masons? The path we would follow to reach these goals may be different, but there is no question making the effort would have a similar profound impact not only on our lives, but also the lives of those we come into contact with on a day-to-day basis.

If I am honest, when I look back on 2009, I would admit I have not been as good a man, or Mason, as I could have been. But I will resolve to try harder and be at war with my vices and at peace with my neighbors and work to be a better man, and Mason, in 2010. And I would challenge each of you to do the same.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Gregg Yates
Worshipful Master