Leaving Your Mark

When we are young we have the faith to believe we can one day make a difference.  As we get older and fight the daily battles of life, we start to wonder if we will be remembered at all.  I believe we are all here to be remembered.  You will, however, not be remembered for what you have, be that money, power or fame.  You will be remembered for how you touched the world you live in and made life better for others. 

                Forest Witcraft (1894-1967) was a well-known educator and longtime supporter of Scouting. In an article, he did in Scouting Magazine he gave, what I believe is the best definition of leaving your mark on the world. It is what every Scouter believes, and one I personally hold as an anchor in my own life. Witcraft said: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a boy.”

There are five key things you can do in life that will live long after you have gone from this planet.

1)  You can create

                We all have talents and gifts.  For some, these are expressed in the form of thinking, making changes that are needed or solving problems.  For others, these can be expressed in the form of art and beauty.  Still, others are gifted in medicine, law, education and a thousand other things.  With these gifts, we can create what was not there before or we can improve on those things that we use every day. 

                Scouting offers yet another opportunity to make your gifts and talents out live you. Teach them to a Scout who may discover from your lessons his own calling in life. Those who are generous with their gifts receive many times more in return. You can hoard your possessions and your money with little consequence. Hoard your gifts and talents and they die with you. Invest them in the life of a Scout and they will live forever.

2)  You can discover the unknown

                One of the joys of childhood is the discovery of life for the first time.  From infants discovering their feet to children discovering their abilities, life is an adventure for those who keep discovering.  Always keep in mind that the wonders of the universe are not secrets that are hidden, but rather treasures to be discovered by people who still believe the impossible can happen.

                I have come to love the discoveries I have been able to be a part of Scouting. When we take the time to encourage and inspire a young person to reach for the unknown you will see great things. I can be a part of merit badges and learn things I never thought I would learn. Camping and other activities all designed to help the young – and us old folk too – discover the wonders of life.

“All I want to do is change the world.”

– W. Clement Stone

(1902-2002) Author

Businessman

3)  You can think

                Sounds funny I know, but the truth is, thousands of people do not think.  They move on impulse or desire, but they do not take the time to think things through.  Be a thinker about everything in your life.  Know what you believe and why.  Think about what you want and how you will achieve it.  Think about the things that others never take the time to.

                Young people love to think. They may not tell you that, but they do. Scouting allows a young person to think about what they want to do and how they will achieve it. Give your Scout time to think things out for themselves. We can be too quick to step in and help them solve a problem. With time, they will figure it out. Just like you do.

4)  You can be an example

                Don't just talk about how the world should get better, make it better.  Success-minded people know that things like integrity, honesty, decency, loyalty and right behavior are key to a full and meaningful life.  If all we do is tell people that they should be better we will gain nothing.  We must show then not only how to live right but show them that it can be done.

                The Scout Law and Oath are not created to get Scouts to memorize them, they are there to be lived out. The best example of the power of the Scout Law is how it is active and useful in your life. Show everyone around you that it is possible to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent all at the same time.

5)  You can take a stand

                The great Albert Einstein said, "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything."  Like it or not, you are not a bystander in this world.  You are an active participant.  It is up to us to stop evil and wrong, not to ignore it and hope it goes away.  Take a stand for what is good, right and wholesome.  Be strong and brave in the face of all opposition.  You are the only thing keeping the world from the destruction it brings on itself.

                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