Dear Brethren,
As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each one of you. It has been an honour to serve as your Junior Grand Warden and I am truly grateful for the support and dedication that you have shown to our beloved Grand Lodge.
The past year has been challenging for us all, but through it all, the strength and resilience of our craft has shone through. I am confident that as we move forward into this new year, we will continue to grow and prosper as a Grand Lodge, and as a community.
As we welcome the new year, let us also remember the core values of our organization: brotherhood, charity, and truth. These values are more important than ever as we strive to make a positive impact in our local and global communities.A positive way could be triggered by the Stoicism as the valuable tool for the new year.
The philosophy of Stoicism, which emphasizes the development of self-control and resilience in the face of adversity.
One of the key tenets of Stoicism is the idea that we do not control external events, but we do have control over how we respond to them.
As we begin a new year, it can be easy to get caught up in the pressure to set grandiose goals and make big changes. However, it’s important to remember that we cannot predict or control everything that will happen in the year. By embracing the mindset, we can focus on what we can control, which is our own thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
One of the practices that can be helpful for the new year is the practice of negative visualization. This is the practice of visualizing the worst-case scenario and preparing for it mentally. This helps to put things in perspective, making us less likely to be caught off guard by unexpected events and more likely to handle them with a sense of equanimity.
Another positive way could be the allegory for plumb and the new year could be a construction worker starting a new building project. The worker is the plumb line, which is used to ensure that the building is being built straight and true. Similarly, as we begin a new year, we can think of ourselves as the plumb line, ensuring that we are staying true to our values and principles as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way.
Just like how the plumb line needs to be held steady and adjusted as needed to ensure the building is aligned, we also need to stay grounded in our values and adjust as needed to stay on track with our goals and aspirations for the new year.
Additionally, just as a builder needs to make sure the foundation of the building is solid and secure, we also need to make sure that our foundation is strong. This foundation can be our family, friends, values, beliefs, and principles that will guide us throughout the new year.
In summary, Stoicism and the Plumb can be valuable guides and reminders as we start the new year. Their emphasis on self-control, resilience, mindfulness and furthermore they are important to stay true to our values, stay grounded and make sure that our foundation is strong, so that we can help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way, while keeping things in perspective.
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year,
Your Brother
RW Tarik Eker
Junior Grand Warden
