“What on earth are you doing?”, he asked, leaning closer to view the computer. The lodge’s Master had come up to the small storage room where The Old Webmaster was typing furiously on his laptop in the soft glow of a naked light bulb on the wall further back into the room.
“Just answering a couple of e-mails before heading off to pick up some things for the Kiwanis rummage sale. If you’ve got nothing better to do, you can give me a hand with it.” the Old Webmaster replied, grinning broadly while tipping his head slightly to look over his glasses. The Masons and the Kiwanis in town had a great working relationship and many shared members. Each gave the other a hand on major projects: it worked quite well.
“Your e-mail? That doesn’t look e-mail at all…..” He hesitated and leaned even closer. ” – at least not like MY e-mail.” The Master was fascinated as he peered at the screen.
“That’s because we use different e-mail programs. It may also be because I’ve got a different size screen than you do, have it set at a different resolution and use a background color scheme which I’ve found, after several years of trial and error, is pleasing to these old eyes. It’s all a matter of how we see things – and likely too, how we see things at different times in our lives.”
“Yes, but it’s not at all like mine. I just don’t understand. I can see the titles of your e-mails but in mine….” The Master continued to stare intently as The Old Webmaster leaned off to the side to give him a better view.
“I guess we’re all the ‘victims’ – for better or worse – of our past experiences. I’ve come to this particular e-mail program because it’s rock-solid, doesn’t allow the majority of viruses to trouble me or others, and because it’s proven itself time and time again. Others take a different tack and are quick to toss aside what works for the glitter of something different – or they take what they get for free and are happy with it. I don’t suspect you’d ever think that I pretty much walk to the beat of a different drummer….”
“I think I’ve heard that said more than once!” The Master patted the shoulder of his Masonic Brother while continuing to stare at his computer screen.
“And some think that I’m just old-fashioned and out of touch I suppose – but then again, I don’t think that bending and blowing with every breeze makes much sense. I’d rather build my moral and Masonic edifice on more solid ground and not move it around every few days.”
“Well, old fashioned or out-of-touch are CERTAINLY not terms I’d use with you, my friend!” the Master quickly interjected. “From the time I’ve joined I’ve benefitted from your advice, most of it very forward-looking.”
“Thank you, Worshipful, but in some ways – like this e-mail program – I’ll admit to being unwilling to change. A colleague at work says I won’t compromise – even a little - in order to move ahead. On the other hand, I’ve moved ahead far further than a lot of those folks while maintaining both my dignity and my sanity! And yes: I am unwilling to compromise, particularly when the alternative is unproven or buggy. ” The Old Webmaster was also staring at his screen – thinking beyond.
“Looking at things differently can cause problems for an individual – and sometimes a real culture clash can result. Generational differences make it particularly tough and in a voluntary association such as ours, there can be lots of hard feelings when people don’t all see eye-to-eye. Not that I’m saying that differences can’t be good….”
The Old Webmaster turned to face him and smiled – a very knowing smile.
“OK. OK. I remember when I first got here and tried to tell everyone what Freemasonry REALLY was all about.” He hung his head in mock remorse, smiling all the while. “Fortunately I was bright enough to realize that we could row together or I’d be out adrift somewhere. Seeing things differently, I came to learn quickly with the help of Brothers like yourself, doesn’t have to mean arguing, demanding one’s own way, and being deliberately provocative. And so I guess the lesson here is the same: that you can reach the same goal by different means. That everyone does things differently but if they’ve all got the same goal, there’s no reason to get alarmed at what the other person is up to?”
“Or that in an organization that’s as old and as large as Freemasonry, there’s plenty of room for a wide variety of interests and ideas – and that perhaps sometimes what works doesn’t need to be changed completely – like my old e-mail program!” The Old Webmaster chuckled slightly – and the Master looked at his face, smiling from ear to ear. “But about that question you dodged a few minutes ago, Worshipful….”
“Saddle up, Ol’ Webmaster! We’re going to collect enough stuff to keep those Kiwanians selling until midnight!”
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