MW Bro. Dan Olmsted - January 2021 Musings

MW Bro Dan Olmsted - January 2021 [PDF]

	"Dispensing Light through Happiness”
	January was named after Janus, a two-headed Roman god. The temple of Janus was situated at the city gate of Rome, where his statue had one face looking towards the city, and one beyond the gate. January stands at the gateway of the year, with one face looking towards the past and one towards the future.

 Brethren:
This is the time of year that we look forward to what the new year will bring us. It is also the time of year to reflect on the year that has just passed. The year 2020 was unprecedented to say the least. It brought about new challenges to all of us as individuals and challenged governments around the world with balancing the social and economic well being of society while trying to curb the spread of COVID 19 with lockdowns. What we considered normal practices had to be changed and a new way of life developed. It was a year when we were unable to celebrate weddings, graduations, birthdays face to face. We as Freemasons were unable to meet in the usual manner: no handshakes, festive boards or social gatherings. Yet, although there are many negatives about 2020, we should reflect on the positives. It taught us to look at life through a different lens and to overcome the challenges of working from home with kids and pets. The year taught us not to take things for granted and to appreciate the small things in life. It taught us to look inward to our souls and to reach out to our families and friends.