Grand Master's Musings

MW Bro. Dan Olmsted - December 2020 Musings

MW Bro Dan Olmsted - December 2020 [PDF]

	"Dispensing Light through Happiness”
	December was the first month of the winter season and the tenth month of the year a century before the birth of Christ. When Julius Caesar reformed the calendar and added January and February, making December the twelfth month, its name did not change.

 Brethren:
The year 2020 has almost come to an end and 2021 is just around the corner. I encourage brethren to consider
donations to one or more of our charities, some of which are tax deductible.

The Freemasonry & Youth Endowment Fund established in 1955
Donations can be directed to the Youth Leadership Camp, the Order of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters or the Masonic
Youth trust fund. These funds provide assistance and support to our youth programs and scholarships. Remember,
“the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow .” Donations to this fund are eligible for a charity tax receipt.

MW Bro. Dan Olmsted - February 2021 Musings

MW Bro Dan Olmsted - February 2021 [PDF]

	"Dispensing Light through Happiness”
	February received its name for the Latin word which means “to purify," for in this month people purified their homes and offered sacrifices to the gods, who loved order and cleanliness.

 Brethren:
January will soon be in the books even as I write this month’s musings. This is usually the time of year when we meet together to celebrate Robbie Burns’ birthday, feasting on neeps, tatties and, of course, haggis. I miss the opportunity of celebrating the “Bard” and his contribution to the brotherhood of man.January will soon be in the books even as I write this month’s musings. This is usually the time of year when we meet together to celebrate Robbie Burns’ birthday, feasting on neeps, tatties and, of course, haggis. I miss the opportunity of celebrating the “Bard” and his contribution to the brotherhood of man.February is the month we take time to celebrate and cherish our significant others on Valentines Day. February 14th is the day where we can show appreciation to the ones we love. I would encourage you to reach out and show yourindebtedness and love to your wife, partner, mother, daughter and do not forget to reach out to the widows of our Brother Masons. In recent years our Lodge has hosted a tea around Valentine’s Day and invited widows of Brother Masons. This year, a phone call or a Valentine card sent to the widows would make their day, especially in these times of isolation.

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.

MW Bro. Dan Olmsted - July 2020 Musings

 MW Bro Dan Olmsted - July 2020 [PDF]

July is the seventh month of the year and the second month of summer. It was named in honour of Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. “Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to help make others so.” Robert Ingersoll

 Summer is here and I hope you and your families are safe and enjoying time at the lake, camping or whatever the summer brings to you. This has been a year like no other but we will soldier on, adjust and make the best of it. This temporary slowdown gives you an opportunity to reflect on yourself, and also gives us as a fraternity an opportunity to work on objectives that we have not been able to implement because of the usual Masonic time constraints.