SOU 062220 A Good Choice

 

You First

 

Most of the time, we think of selfishness in terms of giving and possessions. We do not think of courage and bravery as an alternative to selfishness – but they are. The counterbalance of being selfish is to be selfless. It takes courage to be selfless. That is why so few care to do it. Selflessness means sacrifice and putting others before yourself. It means you are willing to face an inconvenience to help someone else succeed. Scouts and Scouters understand what Tony Robbins meant when he said, “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy. True fulfillment.”

Some teach that to be successful; you must look out for number one. It would be best if you did all you can to be sure you come in first in the race of life, and no one should be able to get past you. Scouts know that the real winners in life are those who have helped others to win first. Scouts see the truth in the statement by English writer Richard Whately who said, “A man is called selfish not for pursuing his good, but for neglecting his neighbor’s.” The pursuit of your dream is essential, and you must and should give all to its achievement; however, giving all is never at the expense of others' good. Scouts and Scouters can do both.

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”

Napoleon Hill

1883-1970

Author

 

It takes real courage to be selfless. Throughout history and even in the current news, you will always find brave deeds are done from a spirit of selflessness. Those who give their life for others, those who risk all to make life better for others, those who teach and care for others to help them improve their lives, not to stay where they are. These are all acts of the most extraordinary bravery.

The achievement of your dreams will make the world better. You may be building a business that will employ others and produce a product that makes life better. You may be an educator who teaches valid values and character to others to make them better citizens of the world. There is never anything that the Scout does that does not help and change others' lives. Our focus is always on helping others, but that does not mean we put our dreams aside. The better you are, the better we all are. That takes courage!

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

SOU 061720 Paperclips and Airplains

Your Duty

 

The pursuit of success and achievement has many paths to follow. Some are filled with adventure and some with hard work. Each track, however, leads you to the fulfillment of your dream. There is one that stands out above the rest. It holds the difference between real Scout and someone who is just going through the motions. That is the path of duty.

Scouts and Scouters understand that duty is more than “things you have to do.” Your duty is a sacred honor that is done with joy. As Commander of West Point Academy, Robert E. Lee said, “duty is the sublimest word in the language. You can never do more than your duty. You should never wish to do less.” 

“Personal courage isn’t the absence of fear; rather,

it’s the ability to put fear aside and do what’s necessary.”

U.S. Army Leadership Field Manual

 

Scouts and Scouters see their duty in many areas. They have a duty to God, be faithful, worship Him, and serve Him with all their hearts. A duty to their family, to be a person of integrity and faithfulness who can be trusted. It is a duty to those they work for and with, do an excellent job at whatever they do, and always go farther than what is expected of them. A duty to society to be an example of honesty, godliness, and right living. Scouts know that they have more at stake than just achieving their dreams – they will change the world.

The fulfillment of our duty is not always a grand and glorious display. Most of the time, few if any people will ever notice. Helen Keller said, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Duty is a matter of the heart; it is our attitude that will make a difference. If we believe that doing our duty is “great and noble” as Helen Keller said, we will find great satisfaction in doing it.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that to do your duty to others is a burden you must bear for success' sake. It is a wonderful part of life all on its own. Blaise Pascal said, “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust God’s providence to lead him aright.” It will be in the course of doing your duty to others that you will find your greatest fulfillment, for in doing this duty, we will achieve our most tremendous success.

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

SOU 061520 Think A Better Day