Monday, August 08, 2011

Let the sun shine in!

It's been over a year since I've posted on The Burning Taper, and longer than that since I've posted anything actually relevant or even interesting.

It was burnout that kept me from writing, but more, much more than burnout, too. My life literally fell apart, layer by layer, until I ended in a hospital bed with doctors telling me that the emergency surgery they were about to perform might save my life, but that they could offer no promise. More than 50% of people who develop necrotizing fasciitis, a horrible condition resulting from bacterial infection, do not survive the first 48 hours. Depending on the location of their infection, survivors are often left without hands, arms, or legs, or if they do keep the infected extremities, they are unable to fully use them.

I consider myself blessed. I survived with hands, arms and legs intact and functioning.

Let me rephrase that: I am blessed because I survived. Period. Hands and arms and legs are a bonus. I'm alive!

I am today not only a modern medical miracle, but am now thoroughly a believer in the power of God, the Universe, prayer, positive thinking, the Law of Attraction, and most of all, in the incredible power of the love I felt from my friends and family during my three-week hospitalization and subsequent months of recovery and rehabilitation.

I am grateful I have hands to write with, legs to walk with, arms to hold my loved ones with, and a mind to think thoughts with.

No longer do I feel the desire or the need to rail against problems within Freemasonry. I hope that I have made some difference in Masonry and in the world through analysis and exposition of our brotherhood's "dirty laundry," and I hope that I have also published many good things about the fraternity and, with the "We All Shine On" series, about the brothers who make up this fraternity.

The Burning Taper blog lives on, but it is my desire and plan to use it from now on to light a path towards positive things. I hope not to succumb to the baser urge to point out the negative. Life is too short and too precious to spend it bitching and complaining and pointing fingers, even if that bitching, complaining and pointing of fingers brought about positive changes in whatever it was I was writing about.

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21 comments:

  1. Welcome back. Your stated objective is one we all could emulate. My best to you Brother j

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  2. Between you and me, let's just try to forget about the last year, healthwise.

    Welcome back, my Brother.

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  3. So Mote It Be
    Brother David

    Time
    Patience and
    Perseverance will accomplish all things...... stay blessed

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  4. Thank you for the kind words, my brethren.

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  5. Glad that you are back, and focusing on the positive has been better for my own health as well. Fiat Lux, Brother!

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  6. Welcome back. I am glad to hear you are doing well. Way to fight the good fight. Stay strong Brother.

    Bro Barry

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  7. Glad to hear you are back. Although I did not always agree, I did enjoy the perspective you brought.

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  8. Welcome back. I'm delighted to hear that you have regained your health.

    Fraternal regards,

    Brother Jeremy.

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  9. I would have never joined Masonry had I not first devoured your blog. Welcome back.

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  10. Glad to hear you have overcome the health challenges you faced. As for negative and positive comments - what defines them is the intent more than the content. While I commend the positive attitude, don't pull your punches if you have something important to say.

    Fraternally,

    E. Ballard

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  11. Glad you're safe and healthy Brother. May the G.A.O.T.U. guide your path.

    1613

    IN LVX,
    Brad Cofield

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  12. I'm glad your feeling better. Keep positive my brother.

    S&F

    Cory Sigler

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  13. Glad to hear you're health is improving, brother. The Best and Highest possible for your future health and endeavors.

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  14. Welcome back! I'm glad you are healthy and well. I have missed your insightful thoughts and I look forward to reading your new posts. Even the background looks lighter. Yes, while there are problems within the Craft, it is built on a solid foundation and much good to see from it.

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  15. Great to have you back Brother. Have missed you. Kristopher

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  16. Glad you are Well My Brother ! Have always loved your blog and thought it just and fair and informative ,for Masonrys Brotherhood does not just reside in each individuals hometown and thats all they should know or turn a blind eye twd the rest of our fraternity ,But it exist all over and what happens elsewhere can and will effect our home towns .Godspeed and thanks for all you do

    Ricky

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