Notes from the lodge.
Short daily reflections drawn from masonic writers and thinkers across the centuries.
- Published · May 28, 2026
Adapt or Be Left Behind
The quote reminds me of how the world shifts, and with it, the need to adapt. It's not just about learning new things, but about being willing to let go of what no longer serves. In our work, we often find ourselves in a position where we must step back from the familiar to embrace the unknown. This isn't always easy, but it's part of the journey.
I think of the old saying that the wise are those who learn from the past, not just the present. The learned, in a way, are the ones who have the tools to navigate change, but they must also be open to the new. It's a delicate balance — holding on to what we know while being ready to let go. I wonder, in our own lives, how often we find ourselves in that space between what was and what could be.
“In times of change the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”
— Eric Hoffer - Published · May 14, 2026
It is easy to assume that the years between twenty and thirty define our youth,…
It is easy to assume that the years between twenty and thirty define our youth, but looking around the hall, I see that vitality is not bound by a calendar. A man in his fifties who arrives with a quiet energy and a willingness to listen to a young brother's idea carries that same freshness. The rosy cheeks and supple knees fade, yes, but the deep spring of life can remain if we choose to feed it with curiosity rather than letting it stagnate in routine.
Perhaps the true test of this state of mind comes not when we are young and strong, but when we are older and the world expects us to slow down. I watched a brother today, well past the age where one might expect such vigor, helping a newcomer navigate the complexities of the craft with a patience that felt entirely new. That is the will and the imagination the quote speaks of, proving that the spring of life flows from how we choose to engage with others, not from the number of years we have lived.
“Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a mater of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; a matter of will, a quality of imagination, a vigor of emotions; it is the freshness of the deep spring of life.”
— Author Unknown
