Revisiting My 24-inch Gauge

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Randy Sanders

During my morning meditation, I reflected upon my use of the 24-inch gauge, and several of my shortcomings in dealing with recent Holidays. There is a good reason the first working tool of many Masonic jurisdictions is the 24” gauge, and the reminders sometimes get a touch painful. I regret missing certain meetings because others coincide. I regret missing my close Brothers on their podcasts or presentations because of conflicts. I celebrate the victories and the times I know their work is recorded, as it makes me feel connected when I miss the live-action. I celebrate the victories in the past two years as we transitioned into an electronic multinational Masonic education community.

Yet, there it is…, my 24-inch gauge. Am I making the best use of my time? Am I prioritizing in the best way my limited moments on this planet? What can I do better? Sure, I can set resolutions, I can say I’m going to do better, and I can initiate some improvements here and there, but what about that 24-inch gauge?

I avoid New Year resolutions as they tend to fade within a week, but I am a big fan of aphorisms, focus, and mindfulness. Why not use this to my advantage? I This year I will try a consolidation experiment where I combine my various calendars, where possible, to one more detailed and inclusive. Work and private life must necessarily remain separate, but the various ways I’ve tracked and structured my own 24-inch gauge needs to change, maybe just a tweak here and there, but change. Adding one item to my morning routine and keeping it part of the routine? Doable. Adding one item to my bedtime routine? It needs to be a quick item as I tend to shut down when preparing for sleep.

So what then? The other working tools can be combined. Yes, that’s right. My plan is to spend a few months with the 24-inch gauge AND the plumb. Was I upright in my decisions on time management? Then I plan to move to the 24-inch gauge and the level, then the square, and so on. Some of the groups to which I belong or associate already put focus on mindfulness toward the working tools, and this simply moves it to the next level.

So if not resolutions, where is your focus for the coming year?

~RS

Randy and his wife Elyana live near St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Randy earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and he works in Telecom IT management. He volunteers as a professional and personal mentor, NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer and enjoys competitive tactical pistol, rifle, and shotgun. He has 30 plus years teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chi Kung, and healing arts. Randy served as a Logistics Section Chief on two different United States federal Disaster Medical Assistance Teams over a 12 year span. Randy is a 32nd degree KCCH and Knight Templar. His Masonic bio includes past Lodge Education Officer for two symbolic lodges, Founder of the Wentzville Lodge Book Club, member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri Education Committee, Sovereign Master of the E. F. Coonrod AMD Council No. 493, Co-Librarian of the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis, Clerk for the Academy of Reflection through the Valley of Guthrie, and a Facilitator for the Masonic Legacy Society. Randy is a founding administrator for Refracted Light, full contributor to Midnight Freemasons, and an international presenter on esoteric topics. Randy hosts an open ongoing weekly Masonic virtual Happy Hour on Friday evenings. Randy is an accomplished home chef, a certified barbecue judge, raises Great Pyrenees dogs, and enjoys travel and philosophy.