5/29/2009 -- At 7:30 a.m., I am typically sitting at my desk checking e-mails. Thirty minutes into my workflow, I hear colors play in the background and the thought that runs through my head is, “good thing I’m not outside.” It might be a terrible thing to think, but it is one of my honest initial reactions and a testament to a lingering laziness I unwillingly posses.
In my attempt to avoid colors, I have hidden behind doors, dashed across fields and jumped for cover. The fastest you will see me run is at 7:59 a.m. It got so ridiculous that I finally had to ask myself, “What happened?” What happened to that awkward recruit who was so eager to serve his country that he would have saluted colors all day if it meant getting his eagle, globe and anchor?
Not going to lie, I was moto. In fact, I bawled like a baby when I finally got my eagle, globe and anchor. But, somewhere between then and now, I lost a little of that pride, and I think the main reason is because I stopped taking that moment to reflect.
Boot camp days were long and tiring so when nighttime rolled around it was a relief. It was also the moment taps would play. For that short period of time I would just lie there at attention and reflect. I would think about all the service members who had come before me and all those that would follow after. I would think about the battles and the service members that made the ultimate sacrifice. The moment I took to reflect is what kept me going and in the end is what reaffirmed my initial decision to join the Marine Corps.
I recently realized that by running away from colors I was kind of running away from that special moment that kept me going during boot camp. I needed that extra boost again, so now instead of running away from colors I embrace it with open arms. If I get caught en route, I stand at attention, salute and reflect. My arm after awhile might want to drop, but my spirits always seem to climb. Taking that moment has really helped me stay the course because when I think about all those who have made the same sacrifices I have it all comes into perspective.