15 signs that you did your fraternity/sorority undergrad years right


15.  You are wiser.  More proud.  More fulfilled.  More engaged in the world around you.  And exhausted.


14.  The last few weeks before graduation feel a lot like this...



13.  As you pack up and sort your stuff, you find that one stupid little thing that you got at that one stupid little event and that has been sitting in the bottom of a stupid little junk drawer, and it makes you grin.  And you toss into into the "KEEP" box.  


12.  The reaction from a potential employer when you explain all of the leadership skills you learned...



11. You have decided to pursue, looked up how to pursue, or even just thought for a hot second about pursuing a career in student affairs or a job as a traveling consultant.


10.   You earn a Mr. Miyagi-like look of pride from your fraternity/sorority advisors.


9The accomplishments, victories, and great moments are running on a loop in your brain.  So are the failures, missed opportunities, and mistakes.


8.  Lately, when you see your brothers/sisters, you just can't help yourself from...




7. You actually graduate.  With decent grades. 


6. The one brother or sister that hated you, that was a thorn in your side, that always seemed to push your buttons, gives you some small notion - whether a handshake, words of thanks, or just a smile - that he or she respects you.


5.  After saying farewell at the final chapter meeting:



4.  When invited to attend a fraternity/sorority celebration years from now, you earn an introduction like this one:


Bono introduces Frank Sinatra at the 1994 Grammys
(easier to view in Chrome or Explorer)

3.  You've probably forgotten the fraternity history lessons you learned in pledging, and some of the famous names, and maybe even the Greek alphabet.  But you remember what Ritual felt like.  And after years of just reciting the creed, you now finally get it.  And believe it.


2.  You are ready for the world.


1.  The chapter is in a better position than it was when you joined, and most importantly, is in a position that can continue to thrive even when you're gone.  You harvested much, and yet, you planted more.  

Smile.  You did it right. 


  

Framing Fraternity

There is an old leadership parable that I heard once, and has resonated with me ever since:
A woman saw three men laying bricks…
She approached the first and asked, "What are you doing?"
Annoyed, the first man answered, "What does it look like I’m doing? I’m laying bricks!"
She walked over to the second bricklayer and asked the same question.
The second man responded, "Oh, I’m making a wall."
She asked the third bricklayer the same question, "What are you doing?"
The third looked up, smiled and said, "I’m building a castle."
I believe that in life, how you frame your experiences determines how you live them.

If you believe you are laying bricks, then that’s what you will do.  And that’s the limited experience you will face when you get out of bed each morning. 

And if you believe your fraternity or sorority is just another extracurricular activity or club, then that’s all it will be.  All it can be.