“The Scouting Program fosters
development in youth and helps them become good citizens of their communities
and loyal adherents to their religious heritage.” – Rabbi Binyamin Walfish
Some of you
older readers may remember a day when it was encouraged to be a good
citizen. I can even remember when you
got a good citizenship award in school (now that dates me). Now you are fortunate to find a person who
can even tell you what a good citizen is.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
defines it as: the qualities that a
person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community. These "qualities" are like those of
good manners, you know them when you see them but you don't see them a lot. Too often people are too busy looking out for
their right, their entitlements and their
stuff to worry about the rights of others.
But like good manners, citizenship is all about others first, not me
first.
One of the personal lessons I
was not really prepared for as a Cub Scout leader was finding that most boys
did not understand what citizenship was.
The idea of protecting the rights of others, following the Constitution
and the order of law were concepts they were not taught in school or at
home. Yet, without good citizens we have
no country.
Being a good and productive
citizen is something each of us must strive to achieve. There are many ways we can accomplish
this. One is to follow the laws and to
do what is right, not because there is a penalty if you do not, but because it
is the right thing to do.
Another important part of being
a good citizen that far too many have allowed to fall aside is to be involved
in government. I am not talking about
complaining about government, or posting you political views on social media. To be involved means that we are taking an
active part in our local, state and national government. Run for office, volunteer or work in a
position that will cause change and promote good, citizens.
We could go on forever talking
about the wrong there is in our government today (and there is great
wrong). How they are dishonest, lack
integrity and that our rights as citizens are being taken from us. But all that talk, no matter how right it is,
means nothing if we do not make the changes needed. We still have a government chosen by the
people. So, how do we make it better? We become the people who hold the offices.
The days when we believed that
anyone could become President are not over.
It can happen if we insist that it happens. Good citizens do not sit back and give up,
they fight for the right. Good citizens
do not wait for change, they make the change.
We can change our city, state and country for the better. By doing so, we teach those youngsters coming
up that they too can make a difference.
Remember, the future belongs to them.
Let's make it better now so they can make it great once more.
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.
John Patrick Hickey is an author,
speaker, Life 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 http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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