Hello Sir Knights, Family and Friends,

As I sit here in the Airport waiting for my flight to Washington D.C. for the
Sunrise Service, I find time to reflect. Life gets so busy and hectic that we tend to get
razor focused on the tasks before us but forget to notice the life around us. Work is
always the number one thing to do this, but so is normal life. Cleaning on your day off,
grocery shopping, doing the dishes and laundry. Home or car repair is another.
Sometimes it can seem like a never ending cycle.

So why do I bring this up on Easter Saturday? Because it is around these
important days of remembrance we must make every effort to break those habits and
remove those blinder that are keeping us from seeing what is truly around us and what we
are blessed with. For me, at this moment, Easter is tomorrow. I will be in Washington
D.C. joining so many of our fellow Sir Knights in the Sunrise Service to celebrate the
resurrection of our Lord and Savior. This is truly an experience that if viewed in the
greater picture, is impactful and meaningful. It is an opportunity to celebrate his gift to
us, and create a memory unlike many others. Yes, it can be stressful getting there,
delayed flights, waiting for a shuttle, your room not being ready or having to wait for the
elevators, but that isn’t the whole picture. The Sir Knights and conversations, the stories
and laughter, those fill out the whole picture.

When we are at home having to do the dishes or laundry or cleaning the house, do
we see what else we have. I find pride we can take from our own good work is a blessing
in my mind. I try not to make it just work. I will turn on the radio and have my daughter
help and break out in song in the middle of the work. Why? Because I refuse to let the
humdrum work of life define my life. You cannot and should not let it define yours. Sing
that song, dance that dance, or just enjoy the feel of the sun on your face while mowing
the lawn.

We see that in Templary and Masonry in general too. Yes we need to learn that
part and all those rehearsals are a pain, but what about the pride you feel at doing your
part well, and impressing the newest Sir Knights in your Commandery. What about the
time with your brothers and hopefully a nice meal with them too, more blessings we
don’t always see, yet they are there right in front of us.

Jesus while he ministered on earth taught those who would listen to see the world,
not just a part. To see their fellow men and women as brothers and sisters. He taught faith
and love of all. He, I would like to believe, saw the world as a whole, not being distracted
by the minor things in life that distract you from what is important, what is truly beautiful
in this world. He wanted to give us the gift of seeing more than we might see.

So, while my journey may come with its problems and distractions, it comes with
blessings when looking at everything. Yes I have to wait for a plain, then the shuttle, and
perhaps my ride, but I get an adventure, and new people to talk to. I am away from my
daughter and family, but I have a flight back early enough to still join my family on
Easter to share my new stories with. I get to spend a day with friends I may not have seen
since last year and share our stories of life. Yes, you could say this is looking at the world
through rose colored glasses, but is it? Or is it realizing that all isn’t just the task before
me, that there are blessings hidden in all that we do.

As you all will be reading this after Easter, I hope that it was a Blessed Day for
you and those you were with. I hope that you had the opportunity to sit with loved ones
and friends. To enjoy a meal, or watch the kids find their eggs and baskets. Feel the sun
on your face and to share a good story and an even better laugh. Find the enjoyment in all
that you do in life. While there is the stresses of what needs to be done, find the blessing
in each of them and celebrate everything.

Fraternally,
James Ian Ogilvie
Grand Commander