My Betan Journey: The Five Principles
As a college freshman, despite the disapproval of my parents, I joined the Fraternity. I was 16 years old.
It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Beta Sigma was the best training ground for young men like me, the Fraternity prepared us well for life. It set us up for success no matter the path we chose. It provided learning experiences and gave us skills that proved very valuable as soon as we joined the workforce.
Key competencies like interpersonal communication skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, negotiation skills, teamwork and leadership. All these I learned from the Fraternity, all these became part of my strengths as a manager, as a leader.
But more than the skills and leadership training, what was even more important was embodying the doctrines of the Fraternity. Foremost among these were our Betan Principles.
The five principles of the Fraternity were not merely words we had to memorize in order to pass the initiation, they were tenets that we had to live by. A code that every Betan must embody, ideals that serve as our moral compass.
As neophytes and resident members, what was emphasized in our indoctrination was how these principles would apply inwardly to the Fraternity. How we must always be ready to extend brotherly love to every Betan; how we must protect the integrity of the Fraternity and not cast dishonor upon its name; how we should remain loyal to the Fraternity ‘til death; that we must treat every brother equally with respect; and we must give service to the Fraternity and our community.
However, after University, what I learned is that it is more important to apply these principles outwardly, beyond the Fraternity. Doing so makes it more alive and meaningful. Thereby making our being Betans truly relevant.
Let me to share how I endeavor to apply these principles in everyday life.
Brotherhood
Create strong bonds with people, treat everyone like they are your brothers – with respect, with understanding, with compassion.
Because we know what true brotherhood is, we must allow others to experience it through us. This way, they will know how it feels not to be alone. They will know what it is like to trust and to be trusted. They will experience what it is like to be respected, and learn how to respect in return.
Having strong relationships is important, how we relate with other people often determines how far we will go in life, and how truly successful we can be.
More importantly, extending brotherly love is a fulfillment of God’s commandments.
Integrity
Integrity is one principle that I take very seriously. Valuing our name, credibility and reputation is our one true legacy in this life. When everything around us falls and crumbles, our name and reputation, if well-guarded, will remain intact and that will be what will bring us out of the rubble.
It is important to always endeavor to do good and to give your best, especially when no one is looking. Because people will notice and because a Supreme Being is always looking and watching over what we do.
Integrity had been one of my most important investments.
Loyalty
Be loyal to the institutions we work for, serve them faithfully, regardless of their flaws and shortcomings. It will reflect negatively on us if you speak ill of the company that clothes and feeds us.
No organization will ever be perfect, because man is not perfect and man runs these organizations. Also, because man’s expectations are often unrealistic.
So if you work for a flawed organization, build your influence and endeavor to change it from within. Often this is much easier said than done, but the least we can do is to genuinely try.
In doing so, we are showing loyalty to our organization. We are doing our part in making it better than how we found it.
If after we have exerted all effort and we’ve accepted that we can no longer stand the situation we are in, let us show loyalty by leaving with our relationships intact.
Moreover, it is also equally important to show loyalty to people, not only those above us, but also those under us.
Loyalty is best expressed when the person is absent. Courage and honor is best exhibited when you can tell a person face-to-face, what others might only be able to say behind their backs.
It is hard to trust a man who shows no loyalty. Always be loyal.
Equality
We must treat every man as our equal, regardless of their status in life. Rich or poor, educated or not, fully-abled or disabled.
God created all men equal, in his own image, in his liking, with a purpose.
Some of us were more fortunate in the circumstances we were born in. But this does not give us the license to treat others who are less fortunate than us differently.
Instead, we must use our privilege to help in equalizing the playing field.
We must be advocates and exemplars of equal opportunities, of fighting for those who have less in life, of cultivating social justice. Be it in our own work places or communities, or in a higher field of public service or spiritual calling.
We need not be activists to take part in social change, we just need to be enlightened, we just need compassion.
Service
Give service to those who need them most. Help the poor and less privileged, whenever there is an opportunity to do so.
This can be done through charities, outreach programs, voluntary activities. Through sharing of our time, resources and skills towards improving the lives of people or communities.
Anything that will fill a need in the lives of the less fortunate, any act that will make them feel that we care. That is service.
We must encourage service amongst our peers, in our families, amongst ourselves.
Learn to pay it forward. There is nothing more gratifying than knowing that we helped someone. There is nothing more heartwarming and humbling than to see the smiles of people whose lives we touched even in a small way.
Remember that as we give service to others, we do so as well to our Creator, as such we are answering to a higher calling.
Brotherhood, Integrity, Loyalty, Equality, Service - these are the principles of the Beta Sigma Fraternity. But more than that, these ideals are the barometer from which I measure myself against.
These are my mantra.
I shall forever remain.
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