In the Scout
Handbook, you will find the second element of the Scout Law: "A Scout is
Loyal. A Scout is loyal to those whom
loyalty is due." The this I have discovered is that this principle is
easier for young people to follow than for adults. Scouts find friendships
important and they easily assume that their friends, their fellow Scouts will
be loyal to them, therefore, they tend to be loyal back.
Loyalty can be a sticky thing for adults. For one, we do not trust people
the way that the young can. Some of that is from experiences of being hurt or
betrayed, and some are – to be really
honest – that we know what scoundrels we are and therefore we assume others are
too. Simply put, loyalty is the ability to trust, depend on and be open to
others. It is not just what others owe us, but what can offer to them as well. Loyalty
is always of more value when it is given to
us than when others give it to us.
This does not mean we practice what is called blind loyalty. I have often heard that loyalty is given to
all in authority or all in power. We have a responsibility to be loyal to our
employer, our government or our church.
That is not at all true. Loyalty
is always earned and never demanded. It
is given and not taken. Loyalty comes
from three main areas, beliefs, values, and purposes.
“Loyalty earned is a beautiful thing, but loyalty demanded is toxic.”
– Samuel Chand
Author
1) Loyalty comes from shared
beliefs
Everything we do and fight for is the things we believe to be true. We are loyal to those who share our belief
because we know that they are fighting for the same causes we find
important. When we are asked to stand,
fight for and defend things that we do not believe in, we become weak and
ineffective. Likewise, when we are
following a leader who stands for the
things we believe in, we become strong, committed and loyal to the end.
This explains why Scouts tend to
be so loyal to each other. The Scout Law and the Scout Oath are a belief system
that holds us together as a group. Scouts
are walking the same path. Yes, they are pursuing their own dreams and have
their own destiny to discover, but they all share the same belief system and
that belief system is a powerful force for good.
2) Loyalty comes from shared
values
The success-minded person will
not be loyal to someone who is not honest, of poor character or
untrustworthy. These are some of the
values that make the success-minded
person who they are. Many have been
asked to do things that are dishonest, bend the rules or tell a white lie, but
have left their job or position because to betray their values is a crime
greater than any they can accept.
Scout too face this pressure
from non-scouting friends. They are the same as any other young person. They
face the same temptations and distractions as anyone
else. Scouts must take a stand when they are asked to compromise what they know
is right and true. Many times, they have to say no, even to good friends. It
takes courage to be a Scout.
3) Loyalty comes from shared
purposes
It is hard if not impossible to
be loyal to someone or something that does not share your purpose. If you want to see a person of character
stand strong, give them a purpose they can believe in and stand up for. Take it away and you will have no commitment
at all.
As we have said many times,
Scouting is not an activity it is a way of life. Scouts follow the purpose of
the Scout Law, now and in the years to come. Once a Scout, always a Scout. Once
a person of integrity, you are always a person of integrity. Loyalty is the
best when it is loyalty to ourselves and to what we know is right and good.
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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