Fraternities and Philosophy - (what, more of that fraternity stuff?)

A few weeks ago - no doubt after July 26th - I posted a bit about a wonderful reunion dinner one of my fraternity brothers generously took his time to put together. Thanks again for all the great work Dave Sumka (yes, naming names!).

Since then I do find myself thinking more about this all too brief experience (it was actually just two years) of being away at college and sharing great experiences with a group of terrific (young at the time) guys and the women that were kind enough to tolerate us. At the time you're thinking that this is a chunk of your life, it's a lot of fun and in the end, how much can it really matter? I mean after all, it's just a fraternity, right? Some goofy rituals, lots of beer and/or whatever your drink of choice, parties, some sports, cool sweatshirts and jackets etc, etc.

Again, pardon me using this blog to philosophize a bit but I'm finding that the more I think about it, well, the more it is (or was).

For some reason - have no idea what made me start thinking about it as I was riding a stationary bike this morning- but I ended up thinking about something that was written in my pledge book. For the uninitiated amongst you (and I don't think this is super proprietary as others do it)that may be reading this, that's a book that you get filled out by various individuals connected with the house...It's a way you get familiar with those associated with it.

In any event, I found myself thinking about these words "Rob, be your own man". This was written to me by my Big Brother (a brother assigned to mentor you as you pledge) Brian Schwab - yes, again naming names. Brian might have written that to me when he was 18 or 19, probably barely knew me at the time as we had just met but the reality is, for me those words were pretty profound and I often find myself thinking of them. And have for the 20 years post him writing them to me.

While I've certainly had my ups and downs in life - fortunately more of the former than the latter - I've always tried to do that. Be my own man. Choose the path that I think is right and follow it.

And I consider myself incredibly fortunate. I'm not going to get into a big "yea America" or "free will" discussion (though my wife has been reading a ton of Any Rand and yes, I love Rush). I did find myself thinking how lucky I've been to have had that suggested to me and then have done so. I've tried various careers, jobs and now find myself at a place I consider the best yet, running an organization - Teens Run Yonkers - that means the world to me. We are lucky to get to choose that path.

So let me close by making the same suggestion to all of you ...Be your own man - or woman and create that path.

Thanks again Brian (and TEP)