Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned
from my family, my friends, my years as a Rainbow Girl, and now as a member of
the Order of the Eastern Star. I know I
have a lot more to learn, and I do mean a LOT more to learn, but I wanted to
share with you just a few of the things I’ve learned so far:
I’ve learned that a smile is the best
way to greet everyone – it makes both you and the person you’re greeting feel
welcome.
I’ve learned that a hug is the perfect
way to let someone know you care. Our
watchword this year is HUGS! which stands for Hope, Unity, Grace and
Service.
This year, our charities are
two-fold. The monies earned will go to
support our own Grand Chapter General Fund.
Service is important to Brother Al and I, and so we also have hands-on
service projects: we’re going to make
chemo caps for cancer patients; we’re going to save our eyeglasses for the
Lions’ Club to help others see better; we’re going to save our prescription bottles
for Doctors Without Borders; and we’re going to clip coupons for our
military. These are all simple, easy
things for all of us to do in order to serve others.
I’ve learned that a kind word will
touch your own heart as well as the heart of those you are sharing with. Never let a kind word go unspoken. The person you’re speaking with may need
those kind words more than you know.
I’ve learned that dreams really do
come true. Our motto this year is “When
we believe in our dreams, they can carry us to the stars.”
I’ve learned that we really can soar
to new heights. One of our goals this
year is not just to increase our membership, but also to mentor our new members. Several chapters already have mentorship
programs, and we would like to encourage all chapters to have a mentorship
program to help our new members feel welcome and wanted, to help them learn our
signs and passes (it took me an entire year to learn Electa’s pass – I used to
want to say, “Forever the Rainbow” and for crying out loud, we never even said
that in Rainbow!), and to teach them the traditions of our chapters. It has been said that we are all angels with
just one wing, and we can only fly by helping others. So, become a mentor, help our new members to
fly, and they in turn will help our beautiful Order soar!
I’ve learned that in an ordinary day,
there are a thousand miracles and blessings galore. My Bible verse this year is John 1:16: “From
the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another.” Every day is an opportunity to see the
miracles around us and to feel the blessings that have been bestowed upon
us.
I’ve even learned a few things from
fireflies:
Believe in magic and life
will be more fun.
Delight in simple things.
Take time to celebrate
life.
And let your light shine.
So, climb aboard our Eastern Star hot
air balloon! Soon you’ll be on your way
up, you’ll be seeing great sights, you’ll join the high fliers, who soar to
high heights. Enjoy the ride as the
light of our Eastern Star balloon takes us up, up and away; and join with us on
this great adventure as we Soar to New Heights!
In closing, remember, success is not
just what you achieve in your life, it’s what you encourage others to do!
Jean Ballard, Worthy Grand Matron, 2017-18
