A Different Breed

I have always found it interesting that the harder we work at being different from everyone else the more we are the same.  I grew up in the '60s when the way we proved we were "non-conformist" was to conform to every other "non-conformist".  Even today, people claim they are not part of the pack and their own person, yet other than their name, you cannot tell them apart from the next guy.

                There are those who really are different and unique.  I like to call them success-minded people.  Rather than feeling they must prove their uniqueness by piercing every available part of their body to taking rudeness to the level of art, these people choose to be the best they can be.  Success-minded people are people who believe that character, integrity and doing the right thing is always the best way to go.  They understand that doing what is right and being truthful is not a case of following the crowd but of individual choice.  A choice they make with understanding and passion.

“There suddenly appeared in my world - I saw them first, I think, in 1908 - a new sort of little boy - a most agreeable development of the slouching, cunning, cigarette-smoking, town-bred youngster; a small boy in khaki hat, and with bare knees and athletic bearing, earnestly engaged in wholesome and invigorating games up to and occasionally a little beyond his strength - a Boy Scout.  I liked the Boy Scout.”

– H.G. Wells

1866-1946

Author

                Somewhere in this crazy society we started to believe that to be angry, rude, self-centered and displaying bad behavior was somehow cool or fashionable.  Success-minded people understand that it is in doing right and standing for a right that we really become our own person.  Anyone can exhibit a bad attitude or wrong behavior.  As the late Corrie ten Boom once said, "Any dead fish can float downstream." 

                It is the time that we make the decision to be different.  We choose to stand out from the crowd and be the example, not the attraction.  It takes courage and determination to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.  These are not the qualities you see encouraged in our schools or government.  It takes a person who can think for them self and have the guts to stand alone if they must.

                Be a different breed than the rest.  Be an example of what it means to not follow the crowd or to give up your ability to be you.  Be positive, pleasant and encouraging to all you meet.  They will take notice.  As Mark Twain said, "Always do right.  This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

                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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey