Learning That Lasts

Where one of the main tenants of the Boy Scouts is to have fun, that fun has a purpose.  It is the goal to take young men and help them to develop good character, stimulate their intelligence and guide them into a clean, moral lifestyle.  Learning is a major part of the Scouting program because it is a major part of successful living.  Learning means growing and growing means living to the fullest.

 

To earn merit badges (there are 137 of them) a Scout must read, study, perform tasks, write reports and present their projects to a counselor. The greatest of all challenges a Scout faces is their Eagle Project. This project is no simple doing. It involves planning, designing, working with people, leading a team, hard work and keeping the books. The lessons in the Eagle Project are something the Scout takes with them throughout their life.

Success in life is all about learning; not in the classroom of a school but in the classrooms of life. Success-minded people are constant students. Here are four important sources of learning that are available to us all.

“Experience must be tempered with good judgment and a willingness to learn

better ways of doing things.”

– Boy Scouts of America Fieldbook

1)  Learning from people

                Success-minded people understand that there is always something that you can learn from other people.  Sometimes it is a good idea, how to get things done or solve a problem you can't seem to get past.  From some, it may just be what not to do.  Still, there is always something you can take away from a meeting with another person.  Scottish historian and writer, Thomas Carlyle put it this way, "Every man is my superior in that I may learn from him."

2)  Learning from experience

                I believe that nothing happens in life that we cannot learn from.  Therefore, every experience, good or bad, can help us grow and become better.  I realize that this is one of those statements that, during a good time, is easily accepted, and during the bad time is rejected outright.  The fact is that it is true.  If you see every experience as holding the potential to teach you something of value, you will, in fact, be in control of your life.  Those who learn are never victims but always come out on top.

3)  Learning from books

                Books are one of the best resources that we have.  And yet, so many people never use them.  Books have the power to take you anywhere, help you become anything and cause you to think more than anything else you will come across.  The late Charlie "Tremendous" Jones used to say, "In five year you will be the same person you are today except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read."  For the success-minded person, your library should be one of your greatest and most used treasures.

4)  Learning from nature

                Want a full and exciting education?  Spend time outdoors.  One of the reasons that the Boy Scouts are so focused on outdoor activities is that this is where the best learning happens.  Take a walk in the woods and keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.  You will learn and understand more about life and how things work than you will in any classroom.  One of my favorite books has always been Walden by Henry David Thoreau.  Thoreau lived on Walden Pond in 1845 in hopes of experiencing life in a new and better way.  He said, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." 

                The sad reality is that too many people come to die and discover that they never really lived.  Those who learn, deliberately learn, will never come to that end.  Life is full of adventure and discovery for the one who has learned how to learn.

                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. 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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey