Your Duty

 

The pursuit of success and achievement has many paths to follow. Some are filled with adventure and some with hard work. Each track, however, leads you to the fulfillment of your dream. There is one that stands out above the rest. It holds the difference between real Scout and someone who is just going through the motions. That is the path of duty.

Scouts and Scouters understand that duty is more than “things you have to do.” Your duty is a sacred honor that is done with joy. As Commander of West Point Academy, Robert E. Lee said, “duty is the sublimest word in the language. You can never do more than your duty. You should never wish to do less.” 

“Personal courage isn’t the absence of fear; rather,

it’s the ability to put fear aside and do what’s necessary.”

U.S. Army Leadership Field Manual

 

Scouts and Scouters see their duty in many areas. They have a duty to God, be faithful, worship Him, and serve Him with all their hearts. A duty to their family, to be a person of integrity and faithfulness who can be trusted. It is a duty to those they work for and with, do an excellent job at whatever they do, and always go farther than what is expected of them. A duty to society to be an example of honesty, godliness, and right living. Scouts know that they have more at stake than just achieving their dreams – they will change the world.

The fulfillment of our duty is not always a grand and glorious display. Most of the time, few if any people will ever notice. Helen Keller said, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Duty is a matter of the heart; it is our attitude that will make a difference. If we believe that doing our duty is “great and noble” as Helen Keller said, we will find great satisfaction in doing it.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that to do your duty to others is a burden you must bear for success' sake. It is a wonderful part of life all on its own. Blaise Pascal said, “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust God’s providence to lead him aright.” It will be in the course of doing your duty to others that you will find your greatest fulfillment, for in doing this duty, we will achieve our most tremendous success.

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