Is Commitment a Natural Death?
by: Ernel S. Merano, Philippines
Youth is filled with much idealism and activism. When we were young, we think we are different and brilliant. We think of impossibilities those before we failed to conquer and we believe that we can.
We used to take the audition and join the choir. We desire and train to become one of the officers of a certain organization. We join also the screening and write for a university publication. We run in the election and lead the student council. We completely have the readiness to serve and share ourselves with our fellow students and even outside the community.
On the other hand, youth is likewise resistant to responsibilities and commitment. These are masked in the beginning when we will far outweigh them. When we do notice them, the will to go on is put in a query. Then, by that time, the decision has become not only a matter of personal choice but one mind that may affect others.
It takes a heart to understand that consequences are part of making decisions and it takes responsibility to accept them with commitment. Students join various school organizations for different reasons. However, whatever they may be, they are oftentimes coupled with enthusiasm and anticipation.
Somewhere along the way through, the will falters and enthusiasm vanishes. And the students become almost willing to evade something they once regarded worth investing their precious time and effort.
One thing to ponder on, anyone who searches a position in an organization should understand that the position is the local version which corresponds to public office, and every public office is definitely a public trust. For that reason, to abandon that obligation is to break and fail a certain trust.
Idealism is the first casualty of age, and age we do not have yet. It is not the time to break away from that commitment. If you think that you can do such responsibility, then try to perform it. Consequently, If you are not certain to do it all the way, better not to start nor even try it!