Taking a Stand

 

One life lesson that all Scouts must learn is that to do right is not something done by the group but done by the person. Former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge said, “Duty is not collective, it is personal.” You, the individual, are responsible for doing right whether everyone else does or not. The excuse that nobody else is doing it will never fly with this one.

One of the collective goals of all Scouts is that we help make the world a better place. At the same time, we understand that to achieve that goal; it must begin with each of us as individuals. The fact is you or I cannot change anyone else. We cannot force them to be a better person or be honest or do their duty. We can only see that we do it. The good news is that as each of us, as we do what is right, we increase the number of people living right by one. Those add up, and soon we are the significant influence in the world and not those people who would destroy or corrupt it.

“Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity and obligation, every possession, a duty.”

John D. Rockefeller

1839-1937

Businessman

 

Abraham Lincoln said, “Be sure to put your feet in the right place and stand firm.” As a Scout, you must not only do right; you must stand for what is right. It is our responsibility to be the one who encourages others to live right and oppose those who would do wrong. To not stand firm is to fail at our responsibility. Ignoring wrongdoing has as much consequence as doing wrong. Former President Ronald Reagan (must be on a President theme here) said, “To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last – but eat you he will.”

We can all list all the wrongs we see in the world today. We complain and shake our heads at how things seem to be going downhill. Face it, my friends, fussing will do nothing to change things. If our society is to change, it must start with us. It is our responsibility to live lives of honesty, integrity, wholesomeness, and honor. All these things may seem out of step with today’s world but are, in fact, the key to a better life for all how you live matters, not only to you but also to all of us. If we, as individual Scouts, live right, we can see the world changed for the better.

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.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey