Author: Tyrone B. Chavis

Put The Glass Down…

How heavy is this glass of water? Twelve ounces?  Sixteen ounces?  The absolute weight of the glass actually doesn’t matter, it depends on how long you hold on to it.  If you hold it for a minute, nothing happens.  If you hold it for an hour, your arm will begin to ache.  If you hold it all day long, your arm will get numb, and paralyzed.  While the weight of the glass has not changed, but the longer you hold on to it, the heavier it becomes.  The stresses and worries of life are like this glass of water.  If you think about them for a little while, there is no problem.  If you think about them for a little bit longer, then it begins to hurt.  If you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed and incapable of doing anything.  Always remember…put the glass down.

tbc.

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So Mote It Be.

Once in a while, Brothers in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania have discussions regarding the role that social media can (and should) play in Prince Hall Masonry.  Some think that nothing should be on social media, while others feel that social media can accentuate who we are and what we do when used responsibly.  I tend to lean toward the latter. However, I have noticed that Prince Hall masonry, all too often, is stuck in the processes and methods of the 1980s and ’90s. Prince Hall masonry needs to jump into the 21st century with both feet!!!! BUT, I have reservations!  In my seven years as a Mason, I have seen intimate details, that should never leave the lodge room, thrown around cavalierly on various social media platforms.  

“So Mote It Be.” The most widely misused term, by myself and countless other masons. This term is not a blind submission or cavalier resignation, but a wise reconciliation to the will of the eternal.  What it should not be used as, an answer to a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram post.  This causal diminishes its sacred meaning.  If you like a post on those social media platforms, there are “like” buttons for each those platforms to show appreciation for what is presented.  “So Mote It Be,” should be reserved for the end of prayers and hymns.  It is paramount that we NOT degrade its revered meaning.  Please keep it in due bounds and respect our masonic organizations.

Now.  Our next step in our brotherhood is to continue having dialogue, state our differences respectfully and as always, take heed and govern yourselves accordingly.

Tyrone B. Chavis a.k.a. “Ice Cold”

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Best Of Both Worlds

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Well, my very firs post in many years will focus on my double life as “Ice Cold Mason”, my life as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (“Mighty” Psi Chapter) &  Worshipful Master of Widow’s Son Lodge #4 PHA (Philadelphia, PA).

Now, I’ve encountered a bunch of conversation regarding the relationship between Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO’s) and Prince Hall Masonry (PHA).  Prince Hall Masonry is NOT the “father” of BGLO’s. PHA preceded BGLO’s, but both have served very different roles in serving Black culture & the minority community in the United States.  I love both equally.  There are things that I learned as an Alpha that I bring to my lodge.  I see nothing wrong with that.

I have seen many times, non-Greek people in Prince Hall, constantly criticize BGLO’s but turn around and attempt to follow the characteristics of a BGLO.  As an active devoted member of BOTH, this is disappointing and frustrating.  “Your application was signed in ink, my petition was signed in blood”.  I laugh every time I have come across this line.  In my experience, my Alpha process was very different from my being Initiated, Passed & Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

The aim & goal of all BGLO’s & PHA is to develop the character of its members but more important, to contribute and serve the communities in which they are located.  It’s a disservice to our organizations to look at another organization and criticize.  In today’s society, it is imperative that we work together to serve.  So in the future, my personal actions will be to combine my brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and my lodge, Widow’s Son Lodge #4 to make sure that we impact the surrounding community.

So I implore you all, before you speak on another organization of which you have no idea of their process, requirements or experience, you need to seek counsel of someone who has experienced the “Best Of Both Worlds”.

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YOU HAVE TO DO THE HARD THINGS!

You have to make the call you’re afraid to make.

You have to get up earlier than you want to get up.

You have to give more than you get in return right away.

You have to care more about others than they care about you.

You have to fight when you are already injured, bloody, and sore.

You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing if safe seems smarter.

You have to lead when no one else is following you yet.

You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.

You have to look like a fool while you’re looking for answers you don’t have.

You have to grind out the details when it’s easier to shrug them off.

You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.

You have to search for your own explanations even when you’re told to accept the “facts”.

You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.

You have try and fail and try again.

You have to run faster even though you’re out of breath.

You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.

You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.

You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.

You have to keep moving towards where you want to be no matter what’s in front of you.

You have to do the hard things.

The things that no one else is doing. The things that scare you. The things that make you wonder how much longer you can hold on.

Those are the things that define you. Those are the things that make the difference between living a life of mediocrity or outrageous success.

The hard things are the easiest things to avoid. To excuse away. To pretend like they don’t apply to you.

The simple truth about how ordinary people accomplish outrageous feats of success is that they do the hard things that smarter, wealthier, more qualified people don’t have the courage — or desperation — to do.

Do the hard things. You might be surprised at how amazing you really are.

This post originally appeared at Edgy Conversations. Copyright 2014.

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Be Open…

So, me & my family (my kids, sister & her kids & my mother) are awaiting eating at my oldest son’s favorite reastaurant, Applebee’s.  My 3 year old daughter cries to sit on my lap to play “Candy Crush” on my phone, so I oblige.  As I am watching her swipe across my phone sporadically, she starts singing in a low tone the following words:

“…I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion, cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar. Oh oh oh oh oh oh…”

She proceeded to sing the remainder of “Roar” by Katy Perry.  It was such a motivational moment.  It’s a special experience when you are aware and open to the messages that come through from the tiniest of people.  Needless to say, we played the song about 10 times as we drove an hour up the Jersey turnpike.  Princess Bugs really motivated me, so I hope that this song touches you the way it touched me.

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Truth

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G’morning all! To arrive at truth you must exit the road of illusion. By nature we are all creatures of habit. We become content with driving down the same highway of life passing the same scenery. From time to time we catch a glimpse of a sign telling of another reality but the unfamiliar brings about apprehension, so we stay where we are. Answer the beckon of truth. #BeDynamic or be forgotten!

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Never On My Back…

“When animals surrender, they go lying on their back.  I never go lying on my back.  It’s a sign of weakness and surrendering.  Never lying on my back.” ~Mikko Salo

I have promised myself that I will give my all in everything I do with love in my heart.  But sometimes, that’s not good enough, and when that’s not good enough, I will go with my head held high, bleeding, bruised & pale.  I’ve often referred to life as the “Beautiful Struggle”, and that means to enjoy the struggle of the moment, be proud of not just the result but my effort also.  And after I have exerted my full effort to whatever endeavor I embark upon, I will either be face down or head held high…never on my back!  Be blessed, #BeDynamic

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Watch me…

Watch me have a dream,
Watch me take that first step,
Watch me fail,
Watch me get broken down…
Question if it’s all worth it.
Watch me raise my head high.
Then…
Watch me rise from nothing,
Watch me inspire others to become more than they ever thought they could be.
Watch me!

~Eugene Landry

Sometimes our adversity is not just about our growth, it’s a blessing to those watching. Through our adversity & how we react, we can teach others around us how to overcome and be better than before. Just when we think no one is watching someone is watching your every move. Be an inspiration, Be blessed, #BeDynamic

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