If I was to list all the
assets that helped me to succeed in life, at the top of my list I would have to put my ten
grand-children and being a Scout leader.
Why? Because that much contact
with children and young people has revitalized my ability to believe in the
impossible. Children really do believe
that they can become anything they choose to be and that the mysteries of life
are theirs to discover. It is when we
"grow up" that we begin to think the impossible truly is, impossible.
I first
become a Cub Scout leader when my grandson entered Scouts as a Tiger Cub. I have wanted him to be a Scout since the day
he was born. I love Scouting and believe
in the program. He is now a Boy Scout
and I am still involved as well. It is
his burning goal in life is to be an Eagle Scout and to earn all 137+ merit
badges. That is a big goal for any young
person, but not impossible for him to achieve.
“Scoutmasters need to enter into boy's ambitions.”
– Sir Robert Baden-Powell
1857-1941
Founder of The Boy Scouts
Children
are like that. They have passion and the
courage to dream big. It is the adults
in their lives that too often step on their dreams and convince them that they
are impossible. Have you ever wondered
where we would be today if we never stopped believing in the impossible? What could we have achieved as individuals or
as a society? The possibilities are
endless.
American
poet, Theodore Roethke said, "What we need is more people who specialize
in the impossible." I fully agree
and I desire to be one of those people.
The children in my life give me hope that I can be. They believe that they will become great and
do wonderful things. I believe they will
too. I will work hard to be sure they
never doubt that or stop believing in the impossible.
Take
some time and get into the thinking of a child.
Go visit some Scouts or pay more attention to the Scouts in your
life. Scouts are trained to believe in
the impossible. They are given the
opportunity to become anything they choose to be. One-hundred and thirty-seven merit badges is
a lot of work, but we can do it. Yes, I
said we. He has allowed me to take this
journey with him and I will not miss a moment of it.
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
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