Many of you have heard me say, “Aging is not a destination, but a journey.” This statement could be modified to say, there are no destinations in life, but life
is a journey, enjoy the journey.
Years ago, I was on a national speaking tour. I would end every presentation with, “Life is a journey, enjoy the journey.” A fellow came to me once after my presentation and thanked me for the ending statement. He and I spoke and enjoyed each other’s company, so I gave him my business card to stay in touch. This was common and I thought we might connect at some point, but never thought I would experience what happened next. One month later, he called me and thanked me again for my message and closing statement. He had taken my encouragement to heart and retired from his job as CEO of a retirement community and was going to do what he enjoyed and live life in a better way.
I felt very guilty as he was a younger man and I was concerned that I had ruined his life, but I tried to take my own words seriously and hope that he would enjoy the journey. I asked him what he planned to do and he wasn’t completely sure, but was intending to work with his cousin as a consultant in a software development company. I wished him well and asked that he stay in touch not only because I enjoyed him as a person, but because I felt a bit responsible.
Three years later, I needed to have a management tool developed. I called my friend, and we were able to build a tool that later became the birth of a national data management and consulting company in the field of aging. He and I became business partners in this endeavor for several years. Almost 20 years later, we are no longer business partners, but the company is thriving and our friendship is one of the best I have on this earth.
I tell you this story because it is one I hold close to my heart. It reminds me that life is truly a journey and not a destination and that attitude can open up possibilities for life-long friendships and true joy. This is the same way I feel about my time here with all of you in the Fraternity and at the Ohio Masonic Home (OMH). Our journey together has been so rewarding for me. We at OMH are not reaching for destinations, but enjoying the journey as the living expression of our Masonic Obligation.
As we approach the end of 2015, our journey together is filled with exciting new adventures. This edition highlights one of those adventures, the new Scottish Rite and the remodeled Hillman building which will be renamed York Rite. We will be dedicating these buildings on October 18, 2015. I hope many of you can attend this event or at least visit the Springfield campus to tour the buildings. If you are interested in coming to live the journey on our campus, we are currently taking reservations for the new apartments!
Thanks to all of you who are on this journey together with us and for all of your support. Our journey will continue to be filled with exciting new possibilities. My friends, aging is not a destination and life is a journey, enjoy the journey.
