Commitment to Order of the Arrow

Seth Mollitt, 2005 National Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow, wrote the following in a letter titled "Thoughts on Commitment to the Order of the Arrow". Click here for the full letter.

"...over time, however, our dedication can begin to fade. As we grow older and become busier with school and work, the things that at one time seemed so important to us begin to get pushed to the background by new opportunities and activities. As commitments pile up, it becomes easier and easier to skip the occasional lodge weekend; it becomes easier and easier to detach ourselves from the organization to which we once felt so connected. 
 

When I was twelve, I almost quit the Scouting program. School and friends distracted me, and the things that had once seemed so important began to fade. Luckily, I did not quit. I found a way to rekindle my dedication to the Order of the Arrow, and so can anyone else who may find his enthusiasm waning. Every year we are provided with innumerable opportunities to renew our commitment to the Order and to servant leadership through programs like OA Trail Crew, OA Wilderness Voyage, OA Ocean Adventure, NOAC, National Leadership Seminars, and Scoutreach Mentoring. I challenge all of you to take advantage of these opportunities."

Service to others IS a great way to bring energy back into your life.  I almost quit Scouting at one point myself.  But I didn't: and I went on to earn Eagle Scout, Vigil, and the Founder's Award.  I almost quit teaching the martial arts on 3 separate occasions as well.  Twice before I had my own studio and once when I left United Studios.  I'm glad I never quit, though.  I'm successful, happy, and surrounded by people I love and who love me back.  The tenacity of the Tiger is what we all need to push through the fog and dirt and muck, to succeed.  Most people quit JUST before they break through, just before they reach their goals.  That's because for any goal worth reaching there is a PRICE to pay.  Maybe you have to sacrifice your weekends working on your Eagle Project.  Maybe you can't hang with your buddies and skateboard for 3 hours during the week because you need to sacrifice that to have more study time.  Making the right decision is rarely easy in this case.  Peer pressure can push us all over the place.

Begin with the end in mind.  Then DO NOT allow yourself any other result but success.  If you take consistent action towards the end result, the end will be there before you know it!
For more help on setting and achieving YOUR goals shoot me an email at www.welovekempo@gmail.com.

See you at the top!
-Brian Colwell