The Battle for Me

 

When my girls were growing up, one of their favorite cartoons (and I confess to enjoying it too) was Pinky and The Brain. Pinky and The Brain were two comical lab rats who would find themselves in all kinds of silly situations. The leader of this dual was The Brain. He was the smaller of the two, but his goal was always the same, “To Take Over the World!!” Where I am not about to compare Scouts to cartoon characters – although at times that would not be much of a stretch – I will say that they share a common goal, to take over the world.

 

One of the great joys of working with the young and inspired is that their vision is so big. Ask them what they want to be and do, and they will not disappoint you. None of this successful businessperson or educator for them, they want to walk on the moon, be President of the United States, earn a Billion Dollars, or find the cure for cancer. None of this small stuff for them, they want greatness and nothing less.

 

 “Before we can conquer the world, we must first conquer the self.”

J. Oswald Sanders

1902-1992

Author

 

I have always found it odd that we tell our children when they are small that they can be anything they want to be. Of course, that is when they want to be the trashman or a fireman (both excellent occupations, by the way). But when they get a bit older, like in their teens and they talk about a career in the military, being an FBI agent or starting their own company, we tell them to be practical and settle down. This is the time we should encourage them to go for it. I have always held to the words of twentieth-century poet John Andrew Holmes who said, “Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that thing.”

Scouts and Scouters learn the importance of the Scout Oath & Law is to prepare them for just such an adventure. By following the Oath & Law, they develop the character to be the person who can succeed when all others fall by the wayside. Scouts learn that it is not just what you know that helps you to achieve your goals but who you are. Once you have conquered yourself, you are ready to take over the 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.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey