The Million Dollar Question

 

Have you ever talked with someone who thinks they have all the answers? Chances are, you may be that someone. We live in a society that teaches us not to ask questions in fear that you look stupid. The truth is, only intelligent, learning people do ask questions. Author James Thurber pointed out, “It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.”

Scouts and Scouters must be learners, and you cannot learn if you do not ask questions. Not just questions for questioning sake, but ask good, informative questions. Author and speaker Tony Robbins said, “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” Scouts who ask questions desire to learn something. They listen to the answers and then ask another question.

“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, and never

know too much to learn something new.”

Og Mandino

1923-1996

Author

 

Right questions come from being curious. Curiosity is a gift from God to help us grow and become all we can be. I love how Ralph Waldo Emerson described it: “Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret.” As a child, we asked lots of questions. Everything is new and an adventure for us. We found endless fascination in everything from the stars in the sky, bugs crawling on the ground, and the goldfish in the bowl. As we grew, we were told that we should not ask “silly” questions, and we were told what to believe. Education (and I believe in good education) has become more of telling kids what to think rather than educating them to discover. Albert Einstein said, “It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.”

Scouts need to understand that to move forward in life and to achieve your goals; you must be a constant learner. To do that, you have to ask questions. You must be curious as to why things are as they are and what you can do to change or improve them. If you do not ask questions, you will only go as far as your knowledge, and that is not far. You are not smarter because you act like you have all the answers. Charles Steinmetz had it right when he said: “No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.” 

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.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey