by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian Schimian
If you have enjoyed or have remotely followed my writing, the last few pieces that I have published were rather introspective and dealt with the ideology of moral debts, paying “good” forward, recognizing that which God puts in front of us for the blessings they are and recognizing that your life is measured by the “dash” not the dates on either side of it. A while back, I wrote a piece called “It’s the Journey” and concluded that:
“Remember from whence you came, strive to be better and meet your goals at the end of the day, but always remember to pay attention to your journey. For that is where the real experience and bounty of a Master’s Wage lies.”
I even turned this particular piece into a speech that that can be given for Lodge education or as a Keynote Speech for an open meeting. Recently however, a slightly different point of view has come to me about this “Journey” and with the perspective of my recent life experiences, I am heavily leaning towards this as an absolute truth.
Maybe the “Journey” isn’t so much about “becoming” anything. Maybe it is about “un-becoming” everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place. I liken this to “tasting events” where you are given a palate cleanser between courses so that you taste each piece as it is and no influence is given it by the previous piece. Likewise, in life, perhaps you need to have your palate, or soul if you will, cleansed so that you are prepared for that next step, and all traces of your previous relationships are removed and unable to influence the next.
In two of my most recent pieces, “Past Due Balances” and “Everything Good In My Life I Owe To Freemasonry” (unpublished as of the writing of this piece), I allude to someone that the Supreme Architect of the Universe saw fit to put in my life. As it was, I was young and dumb. I failed to see what I was given by the good Lord and I let it go, my one single regret in my, as of today, 37 years in this existence. Then, suddenly the angel is back in my life, at a time when we both need each other more than ever. I couldn’t understand why I was worthy enough to be blessed with a second chance with this “Love of My Life”. This chance to right a wrong and be together again. It literally made no sense to me why God had put her back in my life. I had my chance so very long ago and squandered it. Then this idea hits me like a ton of bricks. Maybe we were meant to meet and know each other 20+ years ago so that when we were done learning what we were supposed to learn about life and “un-becoming” what we were, only then could we be able to appreciate one another for what we truly are.
In much the same way that a tin badge pinned to a shirt can compound a sense of honor, duty & pride, this Angel sent to me by God himself (again) has compounded the joy, peace and tranquility in my life. After 20+ years we started back right where we left off, finishing each others thoughts and always being on the same page. I am the same stone from the quarry that I was over 2 decades ago, but I certainly have been hewn in a manner consistent with our Brother Craftsmen that toiled day after day as they built King Solomon’s Temple. I don't dare attempt to compare myself with a perfect enough stone, worthy of being placed within the wall of the Temple. But I do assure you that I am a far cry from the “man” that I was then. I can say that this life is being led according to His plan, not mine or anyone else’s. I am along for the ride, or Journey, if you will. I have learned more than many could dream of and hopefully left behind what I was supposed to in order to move forward into the next chapter of OUR life. For the first time, I feel like I am actually living life.
Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won and all the fears you have overcome. Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s stormy now doesn't mean you aren't headed for sunshine.
So here is to all of the people that get back up more times than they are knocked down. To those who give more than they receive. To those that show love to others, even when their own heart is broken. To those who smile through sad times and continue to light the way for others. To those that spread laughter and joy.
Thank you for making the world a better place.
Remember to use that trowel to spread the light of our Craft so that others may join us in our Labors and receive a Master’s Wage.
~BJS
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