A good piece of advice is to do something that scares you, every day. Some people slay dragons and conquer fairy tales. Others go to space. And most of us, we’re either applying for that scary internship, sending the first Facebook message crush, or sending the first email to our professors. On a certain day, I went to my first convention for my fraternity’s district.
I have been a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi for two years now, sharing a bond with our sister organization, Tau Beta Sigma. Being in a fraternity focused on music and service has taught me strength, endurance, and patience. There are some days that just tire you, emotionally and physically. And others that take you to a different time and place, where your worries and troubles are put on hold because you are surrounded by people who love and share your ideals. And in turn, you love those people, and they love you. But it’s a rollercoaster, and you never know what you’re going to get that day.
This rollercoaster has taught me to always be prepared and on my toes during fraternity events. And this convention, our Southeast District Convention, would be the largest fraternity event I would be attending. So upon packing my bags, snacks and instruments and letters galore, I was beyond nervous for the unexpected. And we had a long way to go, for Auburn University is not that close to the Knight Palace. But the unexpected turned into exhilarating. I started my first SEDC a big rope of nerves, and left as a strongly knit rope, carrying a sail of knowledge, love and brotherhood. SEDC changed my perspective, knowledge, and views in a few of these special ways.
One of the most interesting realizations of SEDC that seems to be so simplistic, is just how draining it can be. Walking across a university you barely know, almost galloping to get from place to place on time, to learn as much as you possibly can in really only one day is a challenge only few can accept. And while it can be daunting, it is so worth it. My brothers and sisters walked through the rain, the wind, and the unexpected Alabama chill to make as much of their experience as they could. The burn of my feet and back were a small price to pay for some amazing workshops on a beautiful campus.
Workshops were one of the key components of my learning experience. This was not a convention where I felt like I was wasting my time. The content was focused on real life situations, surrounded by real life examples. And most importantly, they were taught by someone relatable. National officers and fraternity life members, people who had been in your shoes, guiding you to one common goal: to better yourself, which would lead into bettering your chapter. The information was real and from the heart, and much more valuable than any self-help book squeezed between the gift bags and the nail polish in a Kmart.
But the most awakening part of my experience, were the other people around me. Active brothers and sisters, getting through school, expressing their love for music. Never before had I been around so many brothers and sisters. Never before had I played music with so many brothers and sisters. Never before had I simply seen “how other people do things.” It was a personal renaissance, and I was awestruck and learning something new with each hand I shook, corner I turned, jersey I saw, and conversation I had. I was taken completely out of my comfort zone, considering the fact that the only way I saw things done was through my chapter. But I was engrossed in knowledge, and felt so accepted to be around brothers and sisters, that I didn’t even care that I had left my comfort zone back at UCF. All I needed at that moment were people who wanted to share a love of service and music.
So on the way back to Orlando, many sheds and cows later, I was ready to return to my comfort zone – and shatter it completely. Needless to say, it was a great first time.
Your Eta Sigma Brothers, UCF!