Leadership by Taylor Kilpatrick

One of my favorite movies as a child was Dinotopia. For those who are unaware of the film, it’s the story of two half brothers who find themselves on an uncharted island where people and dinosaurs coexist peacefully. Upon learning that they cannot leave, they begin to embrace the world they’re now a part of and start learning what Dinotopians are all about. 

My favorite part of the movie, and the one thing I have always remembered is the second code of Dinotopia: One raindrop raises the sea. When I first heard this, it truly inspired me because it really engraved into my heart that everyone matters. Every single person can make a difference in this life. Looking back now, I realize that all eleven codes are codes that everyone should live by.

1.      Survival of all or none.

2.      One raindrop raises the sea.

3.      Weapons are enemies, even to their owners.

4.      Give more, take less.

5.      Others first, self last.

6.      Observe, listen, and learn.

7.      Do one thing at a time.

8.      Sing everyday.

9.      Exercise imagination.

10.  Eat to live, don’t live to eat.

11.  Don’t p… (in the movie, the rest is missing)

The last code is up for interpretation because in the movie, the records have been damaged and you can’t see the end. Someone, however, suggests that it could be “Don’t put out the light.” I personally like that as an answer, but I guess we’ll never know.

            No matter what the final code is, they provide for a rich and inspiring life. Now think about someone whom you consider to be an inspirational figure. Would you say they are a leader? When thinking about their character, do you think they probably live by these values? Not necessarily consciously, but naturally. If taken at face value I’m sure anyone could argue that not all of these are things to live by but if you dig deeper, I think evidence will support the opposite.

            Our members of Alpha Phi Omega absolutely embrace every aspect of APO as well as the fundamentals of this code. To me, that means everyone in our chapter is a leader. Remember the Ted Talks episode we watched about how sometimes people are leaders without realizing it? That is our chapter. That is why each and every brother should embrace who they are and what they can do and run for a position. Acquiring a leadership role isn’t always taking a step forward, but sometimes it’s accepting where you already stand.

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