NIC Blog
Take Comfort In Rituals - Not Hazing
Tags: Hazing, National Hazing Prevention Week, NHPW, brotherhood, fraternity hazing, fraternity brotherhood, Living the Ritual
Take Comfort In Rituals. What do you think of when you see this picture?
Take Comfort In Rituals. What do you think of when you see this picture?
Frankly, it caught me a bit off guard. I hadn’t had the opportunity to enjoy my morning coffee at Starbucks.
I saw this sign in the context of National Hazing Prevention Week and the IMPACT program that I had just returned from. Take Comfort In Rituals. That’s a good, strong statement – as good and strong as my cup of coffee.
It is comforting to know that the brotherhood we enjoy in our fraternities is grounded in the foundation of our Rituals. Our Rituals espouse values bind us. These are ideals such as Truth, Courage, Faith, Power, Virtue, Diligence, Justice, Chivalry, and Brotherly Love. Shared values are powerfully comforting.
Incorporating these into our daily lives (our “little r” rituals) provides us with the comfort to know that we are doing what’s right. Knowing that you are using values to guide your decisions is empowering, even if that decision may be unpopular.
Our Ritual is comforting. Hazing is not.
Hazing is in direct conflict with our values. In replace of our Ritual, hazing leaves us with Lies, Cowardice, Infidelity, Weakness, Dishonor, Defeat, Inequality, Disrespect and Hate. These values leave our friendships and organizations empty.
Take an opportunity to reflect upon the Ritual of your organization. It has all the answers needed to combat hazing.
After that reflection, you might need some ideas to help start building brotherhood. The NIC offers a resource called the "Best of Brotherhood Building". Get your FREE copy by emailing andy@nicindy.org this week (September 19-23, 2011).
