Taking a Stand

One of the key qualities taught in Scouting is that of self-reliance.  Self-reliance is more than just being able to survive in the woods; it is being able to do what is right, even when you are the only one doing it.  We live in a day when you are the outsider if you stand for what is good, right, moral and true.  Compromise is the word of the day, and those who will not compromise their moral code are seen as hard, unfair and mean.  The fact is, they are the kindest of all.

                It takes courage and conviction to be willing to stand alone for the right.  These people are the heroes of the day, and as with all heroes, they face the challenges of life with a brave and determine spirit.  Others can give in to social pressures and allow themselves bullied into doing what they know is wrong, but not those who are willing to stand alone before they compromise the truth for a lie.

“To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to go forward alone.”

– Harry Truman

(1884-1972)

33^rd U.S. President

                Scouts take an oath to do their best to do their duty to God and country. They promise to obey the Scout Law, and that is not a simple promise. That means they will be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. These are the qualities of one who does what is right because it is right. That takes courage and personal strength.

                There is no greater lesson for young people to learn today than that of truth and principle.  Winston Churchill once said, "A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality."  To teach our young people to be moral, right, and principled is to teach them to be brave, courageous and heroic.

                Never allow others to give you your convictions and beliefs in life.  We all know right from wrong; good from evil.  Follow what you know is right and stand-alone if you must see that it happens.  The world needs more heroes, and you are just the one to fill the need.

You matter!  You matter to the world and 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

SOU 1960 Light Other's Candle

Being a Hero

"Scouting will open many doors to learning for you."  The Boy Scout Handbook says,  "As a Scout, you'll meet people who have interesting careers.  While training in first aid, you might meet medical professionals and emergency responders.  While hiking in parks and forests, you'll meet rangers, wildlife experts, and others who are doing exciting work you might like to learn."  There is an exciting difference between knowing about a career and seeing it in action.

                I have heard it said many times that young people could not know what they want to do as a career because they are too young.  I disagree with this thinking.  I believe we are all born with our purpose inside of us.  There is a principle called the Law of Attraction that causes us to be attracted to those who are doing the things we were also created to do.  The truth is, many young people are attracted to several different things only because they see them.  If this should touch upon an area of interest, wonderful things happen.

“The ordinary man is involved in the action; the hero acts.  An immense difference.”

– Henry Miller

(1891-1980)

Author

                Why do you think it is that children go through times of wanting to be a fireman, trash collector, or policeman (all excellent careers by the way)?  It is because they see these people all the time.  They do not hear about them; they see them, the heroes in action.  What do you think will happen when young people are exposed to many kinds careers?  The chances of them discovering one that clicks with them is far greater.

                This is where groups like Scouts can be of great value.  In Scouting, young people see many different careers in life.  Not just to work but to the workers, the people who perform the tasks.  Young people see and talk with these people, and they become interested in what they are doing.  The more people a young person sees the more opportunity they have to choose the right career for them.

                If you have a young person in your life, expose them to many hard-working people of all different types of careers.  Not just to the people, but to the people doing their jobs.  If you are a professional or have a career you love, be open to talk with young people and show them just what it is you do.  Hard, productive work is catchy.  Spread it around.

You matter!  You matter to the world and 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

SOU 1959 Time

Keep Focused

In the Scouting program, there are many opportunities to earn awards.  Some are of course, more difficult than others, but all need attention and direct action for their achievement.  Moving from rank to rank is a constant effort and one that requires the boys to focus and work hard.  So it is in life as well; when we are on the road to achievement of our goals we must stay focused and not become distracted but all that is going on around us.

                So many people never achieve their goals in life, not because they do not have what it takes, but because they got distracted from their purpose and failed to follow through.  Have you ever started to do something, got distracted by another task, and then never finish what you started?  Distractions are a more common problem than some may think.  It is also one that can be overcome.

“Stay focused, go after your dreams, and keep moving toward your goals.”

– LL Cool J

Actor

Know what you are trying to achieve

                So many get distracted on their journey to achievement simply because they did not know where they were going in the first place.  You need to have clear goals in writing.  This way you know exactly where you are going.

                Scouts have the advantage of their handbook. It tells them all they need to do to achieve the ranks they desire. The same is true with the merit badge program. Scouts get a step by step outline of what they need to do to earn the badge. This kind of aid to keep focus is a Godsend to an adolescent boy who has a hard time remembering to change his underwear every day.

When you start your task, have a plan

                It takes a few moments to write out a plan for achievement, but it saves hours of work and needless distractions.  A simple to-do list can make the difference between success and failure in achieving your goals.

                This principle of a todo list is something we try to get all our Scouts to practice. This way, they will not forget something important along the way. I have seen Scouts carry a small notebook where they can note things they need, whether equipment for camp or a paper for a badge.

If you find something interesting, make a note

                Many times as we move forward to achieving our goals, we find something that catches our attention.  It may be an idea, a project or some information.  When this happens, make a note of it and put it away for later.  This way you can pursue it and still not be distracted from the task at hand.

                Discovery is not just a part of Scouting; it is a part of life. Encourage young people, as well as yourself, to pay attention to all that happens around them. Many of the greatest discoveries in the world came about while people were doing other things. As singer/songwriter, John Lennon (1940-1980) said, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”

You matter!  You matter to the world and 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

SOU 1958 Be Your Best

Believing

I knew a young man who had all the qualities of being a very bright student.  He loved to read and had read far beyond the grade level.  He had a wonderful ability to figure things out quickly and see details that many others missed.  However, in school, he was a very poor student and was even held back a grade.  If you asked what the problem was he would look you in the eye and quickly say, "It's because I'm stupid.  I can't help it."  The problem was he believed that to be true.

                This boy, about 12 or 13 years old at the time, had parents that told him since he was small that he was stupid.  When he got to school, and these problems showed themselves in his inability to get homework done or work well with others, rather than looking into what he could do, the school sent home notes telling his parents what he could not do.  These comments only reinforced the image that he was stupid, and therefore the boy accepted it as reality.  As with many troubled young people, he believed what others said about him.

“We are what we believe we are.”

– C.S. Lewis

(1898-1963)

Author/Educator

                This type of thing is not strange to Scouting. Many times we find young people who feel they are inadequate or that they cannot achieve what others can achieve. Some are from homes where their lack of achievement is constantly pointed out. Whatever the reason, they soon find Scouting level ground. Scouts do not all function on the same level. Scouting does not lower expectations to the lowest level. The opposite is true. The standard for Scouting is high. What is level is the encouragement and the belief that every Scout can excel at what they do. Adults believe in the Scouts and, more importantly, Scouts believe in each other.

Many of us are good at some things and not so good at others.  I have always loved to read and write; however, I was (and still am) not so good at math.  Growing up, I was always criticized for my lack of skill at math but never encouraged about my reading and writing.  I know many of you have had the same experience.  As a society, we got into the thinking that we must work at our weaknesses and ignore our strengths.  This type of thinking is not only untrue but hurtful to the person involved.

Scouting is a program that builds on each Scout’s strengths. As they earn merit badges, Scouts find they may not like or find interesting as a particular badge. They still give it their best and then they move on. On the other hand, they discover things they not only love to do, but they can excel. In Scouting, they have the opportunity to build on that and to move on to the next challenge

                Do you have a young person in your life that believes they are less than they should be?  Encourage them to be great.  Encourage and build on the areas that they excel at and help them manage the areas of weakness.  I am not saying to ignore an area of weakness, but by encouraging them to be the best at what they are best at, you help them improve in all areas of life.

                Get a young person to believe they are a winner, and you will have a winner.  Help them to believe they can succeed in life, and you will have success.  We are what we believe we are, therefore believe the best and you will be and have the best.

You matter!  You matter to the world and 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