Doug Lindley Speaks At Initiation

On January 20th, Doug Lindley came and spoke to our newly initiated members following the initiation ceremony. Doug was initiated into Beta Delta in 1964, and he highlighted the importance and magnitude of the relationships formed within ATO. Doug has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but has been able to look beyond his disease and cherish the relationships and good still ever present in his life. He spoke on how his brothers within ATO were so quick to come to his aid, helping create a fund to support research for a cure to Parkinson’s disease. He noted how important it is to play the role of a brother, and to extend the legacy of this brotherhood in the future. He remarked how it was his brothers who embodied these principles and ideals by supporting him through the trials of life. He read a poem by William Blake, and discussed how the bonds we make in this brotherhood will provide rich joy and goodness in our lives if we continue to nurture and take care of them. As he closed, he left us with this, “gossip, I call gossip the murderer of the soul. Be aware of how hurtful gossip can be. Forgiveness. Forgiveness does as much for the forgiven as it does for the forgiver. Kindness, kindness can go a long way. Mercy over judgement. We have become a very judgemental society. Judgment is God’s business, not ours.” Kindness and love should be the goal in each of our lives, and Doug has truly embodied these ideals. Doug Lindley's passion and love for the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity is a standard we all strive to achieve, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to listen to him speak.