Be Good. Be Orange.

Submitted by Aaron Dosono

What does it mean to be orange? Those of us at Oregon State University understand that being orange can mean much more than just the intermediate hue of red and yellow. Being orange means being a part of the Oregon State University community. The OSU community includes everyone that is or has been a part of OSU. This includes the employees(ers), students, alumni, the extended branches and those that contribute to Oregon State. But how does one become a part this community?

From the Office of the Dean of student life, the OSU student shared values highlight that being a part of the community start with the individual and each individual has many values to follow and uphold. These include and are not limited to being responsible, respectful, open, aware and honest. Following and integrating these values greatly reflect the integrity of the individual. In the community the sum of all individuals reflect the integrity of the community.

It is my opinion that to be orange is to be yourself as best as only you can be. Orange is more than in the words you say but in actions you do; it is the follow through of your words through your actions. Orange is being more than just an individual but as being a part of a community. Typically in a community you are inherently being accountable for yourself and for others. Orange is about being aware of yourself, your surroundings, your actions and their consequences. To me being orange is like going to the gym. When you go to the gym for what ever your reasons whether it be improving physical fitness, relaxation, chillin with friends, or something else, you have a set plan and set responsibilities. You have responsibilities toward yourself to make sure you are performing with proper technique and are aware of your health by proper hydration and managing fatigue. This is an example of self care. In terms of being orange, being orange is also being able to recognize and know yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself in the gym, you are in danger of injury.

In the gym you also have the responsibilities to be aware of those around you, this includes those you spot as well as those whom you share the gym. It is in everyone’s best interest that you keep common courtesies such as patiently waiting for benches and machines rather than being a total a-hole and selfishly taking things without regard for others. It is also in your own interest as well as the gyms(community) best interest that you utilize the equipment correctly and safely. The OSU community offer plenty of resources for each and every individual. Being orange is being able to recognize diversity as strength and by making the most of our resources. Being orange also means having and showing respect by treating others, as you would have them treat you. By being respectful is to treat others with civility, dignity, and by being compassionate towards them. No individual is the same but each should be treated with the same respect. Being orange can be described as being accountable through being loyal stewards of good will toward others. We are able to exercise this by being connected and by taking care of those whether they be out in the community or even those closest to us.

Being orange is a lot more than virtue and traits of character that you achieve by practice;  Knowing yourself through self-evaluation and by recognizing the accumulation of your past and your goals toward the future is also a very important part of the orange-esque. In the gym, if you avidly evaluate yourself and keep track of your progress, it is easy to find areas that need improvement, make gains, and better yourself as a whole. Knowing yourself and knowing your truth is a step in the direction to be orange. Knowing yourself and how to care for yourself reflects your ability to care for others. In the gym before you can spot others, you must first understand the proper lift to understand the proper spot procedure otherwise you may injure yourself or the person you are spotting.

Like in the community, the body needs to be trained with a variety of exercises rather than sticking to ones that you are comfortable with. There are many different exercises for each individual muscle group and each need to be trained equally and properly. In the community you must be open-minded to seek other ways of improving your self and the community. Keeping an open mind allows one to learn and grow. You must be diverse and accepting of new exercises while also understanding the impact of each. Being orange is about learning and growing in virtues and spreading it to others by example. Being orange means being rational, looking at the whole situation rather than in one-sided parts. It is to consider the consequences of each action before doing and by choosing to act in a way that will benefit the greatest number.

Being orange is being a change; it is being an original and having the authenticity and audacity to “shape the mold.” Being orange is being part of the community by having an understanding of your surroundings and your situation. It is to be humble, to listen, and to react appropriately and to be useful. It is to be mindful and to be strong in your beliefs of what is right. Being orange is being an stimulus for positivity. To strive for excellence and inspire others to do the same. It is to challenge yourself to be better, to grow, and to be strong.