Scoutmaster Minute -- 25 January 2022

Are you SAD? Many people suffer from what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or "SAD," during winter months. Albeit we do not perform photosynthesis like plants, we do get energy from the sun, with the Vitamin D from our nearest star providing a necessary component for our health and mental outlook. When we do not get adequate Vitamin D during the winter, we can suffer from SAD. The Mayo Clinic gives the symptoms of SAD as follows: feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day; losing interest in activities you once enjoyed; having low energy and feeling sluggish; having problems with sleeping too much; experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain; having difficulty concentrating; feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty; and having thoughts of not wanting to live. It is important to know the symptoms of SAD so we can diagnose ourselves and spot the symptoms in others. When seeking professional help, patients find that physicians provide counseling and Vitamin D supplements. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, some people leveraged "happy lights" to provide phototherapy during long periods of no sunshine. In other places I have lived in the world, I have also experienced the phenomenon of periods of lack of significant daylight and the associated SAD in people, and I am starting to see this in our community given our current position in the winter months. Compound that with the added stress of COVID-19 and one quickly sees that we have a challenge with mental health this winter. What can you do? Be alert and be a friend. Take care of yourself and be willing to tell someone else when you are feeling down. Be understanding of others and engage your friends and family in positive discussion when you notice drastic mood swings. Know the limits to what you can do. Although being cheerful and encouraging to others, particularly by coaxing them outside when there is a break in the clouds and the sun peaks out, there are doctors who are better equipped to handle more serious cases. Bottom line: Be a pal. When someone else is not at his or her best, do not add misery to misery. Be the friend that you would want when you are not your best.

A Scout is Kind.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 18 January 2022

This past Saturday marked the anniversary of an important event for me.  Thirty-five years prior, I completed the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout.  The anniversary caused me to reflect on what it means to be an Eagle Scout.  Looking back over the last 35 years, here are my thoughts:

Eagle Scouts share obligations of service and civic duty.  Eagle Scouts know that others have taken precious time to mentor them and contribute to their training and advancement.  Their service hours are earned while surrounded by others working towards the same goals.  It is appropriate that these Eagles continue in life-long service, giving back to a society that has provided so much to them  They are active in their communities, seeking to improve the lot of others.  They serve as the model of good behavior, making ethical decisions and living principled lives.

Eagle Scouts know that they must Be Prepared.  The world expects an Eagle Scout to be able to start a fire, perform first aid, use sharp objects, navigate, and tie knots, and people have little patience for excuses from an Eagle Scout if he or she does not know these things.  Like it or not, this is the expectation of all Scouts, so I encourage all of you to master your Scout Skills.

An Eagle Scout must be ready to lead.  Eagle Scouts are well equipped to step up and take charge.  The myriad of positions they have held while members of a troop have prepared them to lead, with the apex of leadership repertoire in Scouting coming from their Eagle Projects.  These experiences form the bedrock upon that which more life leadership experiences build.

An Eagle Scout is cheerful.   Most Eagle Scouts are overwhelmingly optimistic.  They see the best in others.  Through their journeys to Eagle, they have discovered that they can find their way across arduous trails and eagerly seek to help others on their journeys.

To whom much is given, much is expected.  Regardless of where your Scout journey ends, whether you are a Career Tenderfoot, Life for Life, or reach the rank of Eagle, I encourage you to stop and reflect on what it all means.  My wish is that you receive all that Scouting has given to me, to include the association with fine people like you.  Try to give more than you take and you will find that you are never without.

A Scout is.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 11 January 2022

I was reading a series of articles this week that highlighted the amount of heart attacks that occur over the winter as a result of elderly adults shoveling snow.  One physician stated this risk started at 45 years of age, another stated 55 -- both ages younger than I would have thought.  Another doctor said that a session of shoveling snow was equivalent to a treadmill workout of the same duration.  Bottom line is that albeit it is pretty to look at, fun to play in, and gets us out of school and work, heavy snowfall can be very dangerous to a portion of our population as they try to clear their driveways and sidewalks.  Yet, this job of snow removal is an opportunity for Scouts to Do a Good Turn Daily.  What may only be 15 or 20 minutes of labor helping a neighbor out may actually be lifesaving to those that are not prepared for the cardiac stress of snow shoveling.  

Remember that sometimes what may be a small task for you is a huge help for someone in need.

 

A Scout is Helpful.