Because Actions Have Consequences | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Because Actions Have Consequences

Are you willing to pay the price for your decisions?

166
Because Actions Have Consequences
Any Given Saturday

In my junior year of high school, I transferred to a military boarding school called Chamberlain-Hunt Academy. From the moment I arrived, I began to learn a new concept that has continually been reiterated into my head ever since. Whenever we were disciplined, we were reminded to shout it out. When hearing the school president discuss what would happen after we as a group messed up, we heard it. Every chance a teacher or staff member got, they reminded us of it. When I spent summers in Colorado at a worldview camp called Summit Ministries, where I learned to think, I was again reminded of it. When I donned a dark blue T-shirt with the words The Citadel on my left breast I would find it followed me there too, and I have continued to experience its lesson in my daily life ever since.

The concept I am referring to is that actions have consequences. In the language of a cadet at Chamberlain-Hunt, “ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, SIR/MA’AM!” At Summit it was slightly changed to read “ideas have consequences,” but those ideas lead to actions. We might not have a fancy slogan that encompasses it at The Citadel, but the lesson can be seen plainly from the cadets (myself included) marching tours during the precious weekend hours.

When people decide to do or not do something, there is a consequence as a result. Today’s culture tends to forget this lesson and I am often frustrated and disappointed to read an article or see a story on the news about someone who got away with something wrong without penalty. Even worse, I find that when people are faced with the consequences of their action they claim it is unfair or that they are suffering an injustice.

I don’t mean to say that I am perfect, I have been frustrated at times when I have received tours and I still have my complaints and arguments about some of them. When it comes time for me to be completely honest with myself I have to admit that I really deserve all the punishments and consequences I have had for my actions during my time at Chamberlain-Hunt and The Citadel.

What most bothers me is that many people among my peer group and generation are unable to do just that. Even if they are getting a just punishment they blame someone else and say that they got unlucky or that everyone else does it and they were just unfortunate to get punished. I find that my fellow cadets at The Citadel have a tendency to be better at accepting our punishments, but there are definitely still a number of malingerers among us. Again, this is something I have been guilty of.

In taking action against this trend I will point to another colloquialism we have at The Citadel, “If you do the crime, be prepared to do the time.” What we interpret that to mean is that we are not necessarily going to follow all the rules. Cadets are notorious for breaking rules and leaving when we are not supposed to. We are also pretty vigilant about protecting each other if we can. What this saying asks you to do is count the cost ahead of time. You have to ask yourself before the fact if you are willing to serve the consequence to your action. When you get caught, cause it will happen at some point, do not lie or make excuses. Take your consequence and move forward after it is completed. I can tell you from experience it will go a lot better than trying to cover up your crime or argue your way out of the consequences. Just ask King David or President Richard Nixon.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

3168
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1904
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201185
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21536
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments