Elijah had spent the last hour or so scrolling through social media. Every where he looked, it seemed like another man had joined the new movement called brotherhood. Old friends from high school, distant cousins, and even it seemed some prominent influencers had abandoned their old identities to be go by designation numbers and wear uniform coveralls all the time. Elijah had expected to be horrified by this, but instead was fascinated. He couldn't stop reading stories of young men like him who had chosen a life of purpose and direction. Deep down, Elijah knew that Unity offered what he needed: a place to belong.
Then why was he unable to take the first step and reach out to a brother? The question swirled in Elijah's head day and night. He worried if maybe he wasn't disciplined enough, or that Unity might reject him. He feared that he just simply wasn't good enough to become a brother like everyone else. So for another night, Elijah headed to bed, lost and alone in a world he felt more and more unprepared to face.
The next day as Elijah was walking to work, he passed two Unity brothers. It was impossible to miss a Unity brother: they always wore navy blue coveralls over a white shirt and black tie. On their coveralls they wore the name of their brotherhood, UNITY, and their designations (numbers that had replaced their birth names).
One of the brother smiled as Elijah walked by as the other one extended a hand, "Hello friend! Have you heard about the Unity brotherhood? If you would like, we would love to have a conversation about order, discipline, and clarity."
Elijah was pained. He yearned to tell them how he knew all about them; how he had read over their protocol half a dozen times; how had even whispered their pledge to himself just last night. As the friendly brothers kept their hands outstretched, Elijah struggled with what to say. A few seconds felt like eternity, before Elijah nervously took the brother's hand.
"I, uh, yeah, I've, um, heard about you guys I guess," Elijah stammered. He was so nervous to talk with actual brothers. His eyes avoided theirs and stared straight at their coveralls. Elijah didn't think he would ever get so close to an actual uniform. He kept imaging himself in one, standing and smiling beside these brothers.
The brothers introduced themselves as 50783 and 81791. Elijah felt almost embarrassed when he introduced himself with his birth name. How he wanted a designation so badly! His face turned flush and he averted his gaze downwards.
50783 placed a hand on Elijah's shoulder as he leaned down to find the young man's gaze. His words were soft yet sincere as he said, "It's okay, friend. Unity is here for you. It's where you belong. We want you to become the brother you already are inside."
With these kind words, Elijah's shell was cracked. He looked 50783 square in the eyes, tears welling up in his face, as he said, "Please, brother! Unity is the future and I want to help it become stronger. I pledge to wear the uniform with purpose and work everyday to serve my community. I want to become a brother so badly!"
Both brothers put their arms around Elijah's shoulder. As they lead the young man to the local Unity Center, 81791 turned to Elijah, "I'm proud of you. The first step is always the hardest part. Admitting that the person you are is not your full potential is scary. But the scary part is behind you. Now you only have Unity to look forward to."
Elijah, now 32212, is surrounded by his Unity brothers. He has moved to the Unity Center to devote all aspects of his life to the brotherhood that welcomed him with open arms. Each morning when he dons his uniform coveralls, he smiles at the designation on his chest, proud to hav become the man he had always knew lived inside him. The first step was indeed the hardest part, but every step after was in step with his brothers.
