The GRU Pledge
There is a line … a bright yellow line
It’s always in front of me, running straight up my spine
and perfectly centered between ‘give’ and ‘take’ signs
With give on one side, and take on the other
it’s nature’s design, so well defined
Plants, bugs, and animals straddle the line
All of them balanced between the two sides
Whales, ants, eagles … trees, bees, lions
Their wisdom and beauty still baffles science
They live on pure instinct and a will to survive
but give and take equally to create a circle of life
This remarkable circle has been tested by time
in the mountains, the oceans, the rivers,
the valleys, the deserts, and the skies
What about me? … I live here, too
Ahhh … an important point I need to review
Why? …
Because I am divine, blessed with my mind
I get to choose which side of the line
So why don’t I try to see what I find
If I imagine my feet on the give side of my line
A giver am I … a giver am I
Spending some time on the give side of my line
I’m fully aware that my life’s intertwined
Sharing earth’s land, air, and water supply
And grateful for the share I’ve been given
No lies, no bribes, no blurry gray lines
No reason to hide, I’m bursting with pride
I’ll stand up to shine in the darkest of times
and work everyday toward a meaningful life
Why? … Because I care
And giving is more than a financial act
It’s an attitude, a flavor, a never-ending fad
It’s learning to love and loving to laugh
It’s making the world more happy than sad
I feel dignified here on give’s side
But there’s one simple fact I cannot deny
I won’t survive without taking sometimes
The earth provides harvest to keep me alive
So why don’t I try to see what I find
If I place both my feet onto the take side of my line
A taker am I … a taker am I
Spending some time on the take side of my line
What do I need … how much and why?
Maybe it’s food, clothes, or a ride
These things I will take for good reason
But I need to look closely, I need to be wise
I can’t waste what I take or litter outside
Because whatever I take comes with a price
It’s not only money that gets sacrificed
I’ll keep my eyes open, especially my mind
And not be consumed by the material prize
designed to portray my life supersized
and says to the world, go get yours, I got mine
Why? … Because it’s unnatural … it’s not right
To be truly successful is to be thoughtful and kind
To live with compassion and not turn a blind eye
Because the earth is a garden, our precious lifeline
And everyone’s part of this magical ride
So I’ll take what I need, not take all the time
And I won’t leave behind a junk pile shrine
It seems the more that I think, … the more I surmise
The more I see the strange twist in this rhyme
Taking too much would make me feel empty inside
Not full … if it’s all about me, how hollow am I?
But giving, … giving would fill me up
Flood my heart with purpose and pride
sharing the gift of my newfound foresight
and knowing I’m helping the circle of life
So I’ll tell the whole world, I’ll stand up and shine
Crossing this line should be thoughtful and kind
Because at any given time it’s me who decides
which side of the line I choose to reside
A giver or a taker? … A giver or a taker?
I choose giver
Why? Because I am the future …
And this is the most important choice of my life