Who would have thought that we would come to the day that
“what is right” would be open to debate? I have seen people in business, the
church, education, and even Scouting; they cut the corners of truth and honor
to get what they want. Not because what they want is wrong or harmful in any way,
but because it is easy and comfortable has become more desired than truth. Oh,
they can justify it in a hundred ways, but it is still wrong. As French
philosopher Albert Camus said, “Those who lack courage will always find a
philosophy to justify it.”
Scouts and Scouters need to understand that standing for
what is right is never a matter of perspective. Right is right. Truth, justice,
honor, and duty are always the right thing to do. We do not bend things or hide
from the truth. Is this easy? No, it is not. Do we all fall short at times?
Yes, I am sorry to say we all do. However, the fact that we may fail at times
does not mean it is okay. Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have
the courage to do what we know is morally right.”
“I am not bound
to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to
live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stand right, and
stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”
Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865
16th President of the U.S.
Scouts should know that to do what they know is morally
right will not always be popular, even among those who know to do right. It
takes courage to stand alone, and in the effort to do what is right, we all
must, at some time, stand-alone. Scouts believe as Andrew Jackson did when he
said, “One man with courage is a majority.” You are never alone when you stand
for the right. One person can change events by standing their ground and doing
what they know is right.
It is easy to stand against significant wrongs in the world.
Corporate dishonesty, crime, sexual immorality, and harming others are all
easily seen and opposed by those who are courageous and honorable. However, it
is the small things that get us. Turning our eyes away from wrong because “it
is none of our business,” lying to cover a wrong you have done, and taking
things that are not yours just because you can. It takes a courageous person to
know that just because “everyone seems to do it,” you cannot. You are a Scout,
and cheating and lying do not become you.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment