By Tom Stofac
Do you know that each and every moment of each and every day you are etching your legacy? How much time do you spend thinking about it? Of course I do but I just live my life that way. I am sure some of you are thinking right now about your legacy, but do you on a daily basis? Every single person we touch will remember a gesture, a joke, a particular phrase or emotion from the interaction we experience with them.
Yes, remember does mean the impression left once we are no longer in their presence. It may be that we will never see them again or that we will, but I firmly believe it is what they remember after we are out of their presence that counts. If we perform a kind deed or act and use kind words our goodwill creates a ripple effect that lasts longer and has a greater impact than we can imagine. For me these actions are the essence of “paying it forward.”
At some point in our lives, each of us has run across a rough patch. Those who surrounded us with love and care by their kind acts and words were significant in our lives as we pulled through that situation or time. With no expectations of receiving anything in return, they gave us the basis for paying it forward. We as Masons take an oath and obligation to take care of our Brothers, wives and widows. We know that we also have a responsibility to all in our communities to help those we can without harming ourselves.
But in order to truly live this mission each day there seems to be key aspects of life that must be in place or we will miss it. The first is to live AWAKE and ALIVE!!
Be aware of your surroundings and watch for the opportunities that present themselves. Secondly BREATHE and SLOW DOWN!!!! If we are intent on moving fast and keeping a frenetic pace, we forget to breathe the same air as the people who could use our help. Are a few minutes too long to really listen to what this person needs? If we stay awake and slow down during our days, we will see the world around us open its arms to receive our care and support.
I want you all to know how proud I am to be a Mason, and how proud I am to lead an organization that is your expression of paying it forward each day. Thank you all for your support through this next quarter and year. Together we can make a difference in people’s lives that will last a lifetime.
