GET OUTSIDE

Scouting is all about the outdoors.  Camping, hiking, even the simple picnics are embraced and encouraged in the Scouting program.  It is more than just the fun you can have in the great outdoors (and fun is a key value of Scouting).  It is because there are few better and more exact teachers than nature itself.  The beauty of God's creation never senses to refresh, inspire, ignite and motivate young men to do great and impossible things.

                For my grandson and I, the highlight of the summer is Scout Summer camp. A week outside, cooking your own food and campfires are wonderful. We, (yes, both of us) learn so much during this one week. He has merit badges to earn and activities to do. I confess I get to relax a bit more than he does, but I still have a full schedule this week. The greatest lessons are those of watching up close the wonders of God all around us. The outdoors just seems to bring the best out of a boy.

1)  To be refreshed

                Adults who are in the work-a-day world tend to think that they are the ones who experience stress and fatigue.  Let me assure you that young people also have many stresses and know what it is like to feel fatigue.  However, the young seem to be able to find the refreshers of life as well and the stress points.  One of those refreshers is to get out in the woods.  You can witness the beauty of all that is around you.  No matter what man does or how clever he thinks himself to be, he cannot create the beauty of a tree in all its autumn spender or a brook that flows lazily through a rocky and rough path through the woods.  This alone can refresh the weariest soul back to health.

“Let the youth be taught to look for beauty in all he sees, to embody beauty in all he does,

and the imaginative will then be both active and healthy.”

– Orison Swett Marden

(1850-1924)

Author/Publisher

2)  To be inspired

                One of my favorite books has always been Walden by author Henry David Thoreau.  In it he stated, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."  It is a sad fact, but many have gone through life without ever having lived.  Nothing can inspire us to enjoy the wonders of life as a trip to the woods can.  The shoreline along the lake, the path through the field of flowers or climbing a tree that has stood longer than you, your father or your grandfather have been alive, can inspire the dullest of men to greatness.

3)  To be ignited

                Camping in the great outdoors is not complete without the classic campfire to sit around at night.  The campfire is the place of stories and deep thinking.  They bring to mind the travels of great heroes and the amazing deeds of those who lived long ago.  This remembering ignites our own desire to do great and extraordinary things.  The Greek philosopher, Plutarch said, "The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."  Start that fire and see where it leads you.  It can burn away the impossibilities of life and fuel you to do great things.

4)  To be motivated

                Almost every other year, we as a family, rent a house in the woods, usually by a lake, and spend time together and alone.  Every morning I try to be up before everyone else and to go for a walk along the shoreline.  There I think and pray and seek direction for my life.  I always leave that time away motivated, inspired and ready for greatness.  Nothing can motivate the heart to it created calling then time alone in God's wondrous creation.  I know, many say, "But that motivation never stays long."  That is true, but we must be able to keep it moving us forward.  The great motivator, Zig Ziglar said, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

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.

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.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey