Many of us face challenges in balancing our interests and needs with the demands of everyday life. In response to this struggle, I revisited the book, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Available in both print and audio formats, I highly recommend it for its valuable insights about achieving balance. While listening, I reflected on my accomplishments this year, particularly in terms of my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Although I will maintain some privacy regarding specific achievements, I am pleased to share that I have made significant progress in weight loss, which marks an ongoing journey towards better physical health. The strategies outlined in the book, such as accountability partners and habit stacking, played a crucial role in this progress. While engaged in my reading, I indulged in one of my rewards – a honey drop candy.

This sweet is deeply meaningful and reminds me of what I strive to be. Honey is timeless and never spoils. As it is stated in Atomic Habits, bad habits bring instant gratification or benefit with long-term sacrifice. Good habits are achieved with short-term sacrifice and bring long-term benefits. When you think about honey, it is a pretty fascinating substance – collected and stored by the hive, inhospitable to growing microorganisms or spoilage, and has been used since ancient peoples. It is worth considering the valuable insights gained from reflecting on how honey benefits the hive, and the fact that honey can outlast the worker bees that produce it.
I wouldn’t be a very good Freemason if this didn’t immediately remind me of the beehive and what it symbolizes. As this Grand Lodge of Ohio article points out, “As Albert Mackey wrote in his Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, following the regulated labor of bees in the hive naturally deems it an appropriate emblem of systematized industry. When reflecting on our ancestors in the operative lodges, the old meaning of Industry described how the guilds’ work was completed without modern heavy machinery. In this antiquated system of Industry, individual stonemasons were assigned specific tasks based on their skill level, whether it was carrying a stone or building tools or sculpting a proper piece for the structure. Every man from the apprentice to the master was essential for completing the job just as every bee contributes to the success of the hive.”
I once heard that everyone needs three types of friends: a truth-teller, a confidant, and a steadfast companion who is available regardless of the time or place. I am grateful to have such individuals in my life, all of whom happen to be Freemasons.
While listening to James Clear, I thought of one such friend, and realized that I should call him to catch up. To be candid, this is a friendship I never anticipated forming, yet I would now trust him to the ends of the Earth. He is an exceptional person and a dear friend who desires nothing but the best for me and for our fraternity. Consequently, he offers valuable advice when I slip, and I value and trust his feedback. My heart swelled when I attended the Scottish Rite reunion in Forest Lake and was greeted by this Brother upon my arrival.
I believe this is one of the greatest gifts of our fraternity: bringing like-minded men together that would not necessarily cross paths in their every-day walks of life and allow them to meet on the level as Brothers. Their individual contributions, knowledge, and interests each have the great potential to help us learn, grow, and form a stronger hive.
We have much to learn from the great works of the Grand Architect of the Universe, his thoughts, presence, and his will which is reflected in the natural order of things. As Masons, I hope we take time to pause and be mindful of the wonders and miracles that surround us. This includes those that are personified and looking at us in the mirror, and those that sit next to us in our lodges. In honor of MWB Foster, please be sure to give each one a hug.
After writing down these thoughts, as a thought exercise, I had AI generate a podcast on the subject, and you can find it here if you are interested.
Travel well my Brothers.