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 rights, 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.
“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
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 the government or posting your 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 (and
there is great wrong). How they have
been 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
recent election has shown us just how that is possible. For the first time,
we have chosen a privet citizen, not a lifelong politician, to be our commander
and chief. The changes that this will
bring are still ahead of us, however, now that the “people” are again in the
drives seat, these changes can be great.
The
days when we believed that anyone could become President are not over. It can happen, it has happened, and it will
happen again. 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.
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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