Scoutmaster Minute -- 28 February 2023

You may remember that Bear Grylls is the Chief Ambassador of World Scouting.  Bear Grylls is also a veteran of the British Special Air Service or SAS.  The SAS is equivalent to the US Army Special Forces or the US Navy SEALs.  The motto of the British SAS is "Who Dares Wins."  I thought about this as we hiked this past weekend.  The hike down mountains and across ridge lines was torturous, leading to sore and torn muscles.  Tearing muscles hurts, but muscles can only grow when they are torn.  This is how tender feet blisters and forms calluses and the ability to take on more stress.  It is easy to give in -- contemporary society accepts those who embrace the easy life.  Yet, the winners are those who muscle on and bear the burden of the pack to defeat the challenges of terrain and distance.  Remember -- "Who Dares Wins."  Life can beat you if you are soft -- be bold and be a winner.

 A Scout is Brave.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 14 February 2023

Today is Valentine's Day, and that gives us an opportunity to focus on what is love.  What is love?  Well, we know love is Trustworthy, as the bedrock of any relationship is trust.  Love is Loyal; romantic love involves exclusiveness and maintaining that exclusivity involves loyalty to one another.  Love is Helpful.  It is amazing what two people can accomplish where one cannot.  Love is Friendly; more than just chemistry, good couples genuinely like one another and like being in each other's company.  Love is Courteous; little things like holding open doors or walking closer to the street show respect.  Love is Kind; acts of kindness to one another everyday are healthy ways to show one another how much the other matters.  As you can see, the application of the Scout Law should extend throughout one's life, even in a relationship with one's sweetheart.

 

A Scout is.

Scoutmaster Minute, 7 February 2023

This morning, I awoke in a warm bed.  My cell phone provided the alarm, and feed me the day's news from the Internet.  I flipped a switch and assured electricity provided light.  I turned on the faucet and received potable water for a shower, shave and the morning's coffee.

I am free and have rights guaranteed by my Nation's Constitution.  My local government provides a police force, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, teachers and infrastructure.  I do not have to pay bribes during the course of my day to do the things necessary to take care of my family and myself.  My ability to achieve is only limited by my energy, my personal strengths and my aspirations.  

What I have (and you have) is not universal in our world.  I thank God that I was born in the United States and I thank God for the opportunities that have presented to me.

President John F. Kennedy, who was incidentally the first US President to have been a Boy Scout, paraphrased John Winthrop saying, "we must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill -- the eyes of all people are upon us."  To that end, we must be thankful for what we have.  We must be steadfast in our efforts to protect our rights and our way of life, as well as ensuring that we seek to improve not only the lives of our citizens but that of humankind across the globe.  Be thankful and give God praise for your many blessings.  Be kind -- extend charity to the extent of your capabilities.  Remember that charity is not only monetary and we seek to give of ourselves in good deeds aimed to lessen the burden of others and to improve our community, Nation and world.

A Scout is Reverent.