Take a Chance

One of the things I have learned in my time in Scouting is that young people do not understand the concept of impossible.  I hear the dreams of young men who want to do and be things that would be impossible to others.  I think of the words of the English historian, G.M. Trevelyan who said, "Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done.  God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing."

                Success-minded people need to be willing to believe not only that the impossible can be done, but it can be done by them.  You could well be the very person God has been waiting for to achieve things that others never even try to accomplish.  I believe there are three things that the person who wishes do the impossible must not do.

1)  Do Not Do What is Safe

                It is always disturbing to me that we tell young people they can be anything they want to be and then when they are old enough to achieve it, we say they must be practical.  I know that many will discourage people from following their dreams because they do not want them to be hurt.  What they do not see is that by not launching out and taking the risk, they will achieve nothing in life.

“Don't let what you don't know scare you, because it can become your greatest asset.  And if you do things without knowing how they have always been done, you're guaranteed to do them differently.”

– Sara Blakely

(1971- ) Businesswoman

One of the most important lessons stressed in Scouting is that of safety. We do not want Scouts getting injured or having accidents. We do not achieve safety by telling the boys to avoid high-risk situations, but by teaching them to be prepared, use wisdom and understand their limits. Boys were meant to be adventures and to take risks. To deny them this ability is to deny who they are as people. Safety does not come from avoidance but from being prepared.

                Scientist, Grace Hopper said, "A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."  The same is true for you.  You were built for greatness and to achieve the impossible.  You were never made to be safe and not to take risks.  If you venture out to achieve your dreams could you fail?  Yes.  If you take the risk could you get hurt?  Yes.  But you could also achieve the impossible and become the person of excellence you were created to be.  It is the worst fate to come to the end of life not knowing what you could have done than it is to try and fail.

2)  Do Not Do What is Common

                If you do what others have done you will get what others have gotten.  However, if you do what has not been done, if you take a chance and try what others fail to try, you will get different results than others got before.

                When I worked at the Henry Ford Museum we use to tell people that there were three great myths that people believed.  We let them know that despite what popular thinking was, the Wright brothers did not invent the airplane, Edison did not invent the light bulb and Ford did not invent the car.  They all just made them work.  They looked beyond what had been done and did something new.

                Scouts learn that many different areas of study through the merit badge program. Some, they will complete their requirements, get their badge and move on. They have learned important lessons; however, it may not be something that captures them. Other badges they will do with great excitement, achieve their badge and they take it farther on their own. That ability to choose their interest is what learning is all about.

                The great scientist, George Washington Carver put it this way, "When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."

3)  Do Not Do What is Not Yours

                Never, never, never allow someone else to define or create your dream.  You were created for a purpose and that purpose is inside you.  You can and must discover that for yourself.  People will try to tell you what you should do in life or what your "talents" are.  They may mean well but they do not know.  Only you know.

                When you discover what your purpose is and identify your own dream, you will find an excitement and power you never realized was possible.  I love the way Denis Waitley put it, "Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream.  This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it and see it from a mile away."

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. Read more about the principles of Scouting in the new book, Scouting Out of Uniform. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey