Alpha Sigma Phi - University of Washington

11 Tenet #2 Character Mental and moral qualities distinctive to a brother Character defines who you are. They are valued aspects of your behavior. Character traits are often labeled as good and bad. Five traits of good character are respect, trustworthiness, responsibili- ty, fairness, and caring. Respect is a positive feeling or action shown toward someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard; it conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. It is the process of honoring someone by exhibiting care, con- cern, or consideration for their needs or feelings. The opposite of respect is exhibiting arrogance with an attitude that you are better than everyone else; to be bad-tempered or often in a bad mood; to be disagreeable and nasty, bossy, conceited and vain, deceit- ful, and demanding. To receive respect, you have to be truthful and honest. Respect is earned, and like trust it is fragile, easily broken, easily lost, and difficult to get back. Only good behavior traits can be embodied in integrity. The famed Davy Crockett said, "Let your tongue speak what your heart thinks." If you have a heart beneath your vest, then your words should be honest, embracing, fair, trustworthy and caring. Reach back into your mind to the day you became an active member of Mu Chapter. Do you remember committing your heart to the following axioms of character? SILENCE –This is exhibiting strength to embrace silence and the will to build an interior life founded upon an honest desire to truly listen to others. Trust in silence transcends the gulf that is created when men feel the need to compete in action or rhetoric. As a brother you pledged to be introspective and self-reliant. CHARITY – This is being charitable in the broadest sense of the word. A man who strives for a life of charity and service is more patient, kinder, and more forgiving of the flaws of others. A charitable man sacrifices of himself to help others and seeks no recognition in return. He is humble, reverent, and generous. PURITY – This is consistently striving for purity of mind, body, and soul. The man who is pure of thought, word, and deed does not shrink from adversity or lofty goals. There is no self-pity, rationalizations, or apologies. He is moral and a gentleman in the finest sense of the word. HONOR – A brother who lives a life of personal integrity accrues honor. An honorable man lives up to promises made to others and to himself. A man of honor is not vain, and is willing to endure scorn or ostracism rather than conform to the pressures of peers, superiors, or the fashion of the day. He is ethical, honest, and trustworthy. PATRIOTISM – This mean loving your country and remaining consistently engaged in its affairs. A brother seeks to know his country and passes that knowledge on to others. He is devoted to the principles of personal freedom, justice, and civic responsibili- ty embedded in the U.S. Constitution that have made our country. He is loyal, proud, and humble. Question to ask yourself: Are the mental and moral aspects char- acter that I committed myself to still evident in my life? Tenet #3 Love Unconditional love and the brotherhood Alpha Sig alum Warren Buffet, Omicron '48, Pennsylvania, when asked about unconditional love says, "There is no power on earth like unconditional love." Buffet's comment is filled with endless wisdom. Love is one element of life that no one can live with- out. Without love life can quickly become meaningless. Love is significantly much more than romantic love. Love is emptying oneself out for another in all situations and putting another person and their needs before your own. It applies to everything…your family, your company, that scout troop, even that neighbor across 11

• Cover