Scouting Values and Principles: On Modern Day Decision Making
In June of 2009, I earned the Eagle Scout rank under the Old Scout Master Brian Stewart in Fairfax, VA, and was sworn into the honorary fraternity of fellow Eagle Scouts. During that time, I stood next to my parents under Andy Grafton’s watchful gaze, who passed away much earlier than my ceremony, but watched from heaven in pride over his training and the results of his guidance.
Despite decades since I left scouting, my camp crew work, and training adult leadership, the values and principles I gained from my time remain with me. The purpose of this post is, in part, to honor the many leaders who have guided me throughout my life. It is also a fond reminder and message to myself about a simpler time when the world was much less complicated. And at 31, I can look back on that 17-year-old boy, the many lessons he has gained since childhood, and how far the journey has taken him. Right up front, I want to recognize the many leaders who have guided me throughout my journey in scouting. I sadly cannot name everyone, but I can name some of the most notable.
- Mr. Andy Grafton — Former Scoutmaster, mentor, and friend
- Mr. and Mrs. Stewart — Merit Badge Counselor and Scoutmaster
- Mr. and Mrs. Sachlis — Merit Badge Counselor and Eagle Scout Advisor
There have been many more; sadly, I cannot remember everyone’s names. But it takes a village to raise great leaders, and those around me have poured so much into me and my growth.
Scouting Today
There have been many changes within the BSA since my involvement, but one thing remains the same: the principles and values espoused by the organization transcend time and still apply today. Here are a few things I want to clarify before moving on to the main point of this post.
As a traditionalist, I will utilize a strict interpretation of these values, not a loose one, in my utilization of these principles. Due to my intentionality and training, I interpreted these words strictly through my pledge, and I will not compromise that because of modern-day perspectives. Likewise, a particular interpretation provided by other authors may be more suitable for a specific personality where mine may not leave the desired effect on some who may read my message.
My use of these principles is also likely to be quite archaic, given that the leaders who trained me did so well over a decade ago. A modern-day leader’s interpretation of my training may differ from my own. Please provide me with grace in that regard.
Last but not least, words and pledges have meaning. Intentionality is vital when you make a promise or pledge. Pledging requires you to have intentions related to the pledge and understand what those words mean to you. My understanding of the words I spoke under oath back then is the same as it is now, and I use my knowledge of those words every day. As such, I will begin this post by reaffirming the pledge I made when I achieved my rank of Eagle Scout by placing it here upfront and at the beginning so other readers who aren’t as familiar can understand the importance and gravity of what every scout must memorize, internalize, and apply throughout their lives.
THE SCOUT OATH
The definition of an oath must be understood before we can properly apply it to the complex and dynamic world we live in today. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Definition of oath
1a
(1): a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says
(2): a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s wordsThe witness took an oath to tell the truth in court.
Within this definition, there are many great words, one of which is inviolability, and the other is the phrase “sincerely intends to do what one says.” Andy Grafton always told us, as we were engaged in his Scoutmaster Minutes, “If you do not intend to do what you pledge, then just remain silent and don’t say anything. Words are meaningless if they have no intentionality.” I was a very impressionable, albeit rebellious, youth. And I detested being challenged. However, these words have been some of the most important ones that have stuck with me beyond my days as a Scout.
Most, if not all, of my adult leadership, echoed this principle that words have meaning and power, and when they lack intentionality, they become hollow and useless. This is why the Scout Oath is essential, as it is among the first of many oaths that a new scout who transitions from a cub scout must commit to memory.
There are several parts to the Scout Oath, each representing a different piece of how one interacts with the world. The first part begins with:
On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law
A Scout must start by understanding that they must do their best. This does not mean 70%, 80%, or even 90% of their best, it means their very best. Their actions aim to fulfill their duty to God and their country. This has very real connotations and can already stir up controversy and criticism. My responsibility is to live as a citizen who does not simply agree with how things are done just because they sound or smell good. My responsibilities include engaging the community, questioning, never ceasing to learn, putting things in perspective, being controversial, and standing my ground. I am obligated to challenge current trends, question systems, and question processes. However, I also owe reverence to my country. My country must never be disrespected or acted in a way that brings it dishonor.
As a result of traveling the world and living abroad, I have come to appreciate the United States a lot more. People in the United States enjoy many freedoms and joys unknown to people in other countries. Travelers and residents who haven’t lived outside the United States often miss that the freedoms we take for granted aren’t universal. For example, the freedom I enjoy in Japan isn’t the same as it would be in the United States.
New Scouters are much too young to grasp the overall complexities of the gravity of the oath that they memorize, but as they mature and grow, these are things that should be taught, expressed, unraveled, and wrestled with. Finally, the end of this first section is to obey the Scout Law. I will get to the interconnectedness of these principles later on, but each is connected to the other. You cannot have one without the other. It just doesn’t work or make sense. Your oath requires you to live out the 12 principles found in the Scout Law.
The second section begins with:
To help other people at all times
It is again possible for controversy to spread here based on interpretation. In my understanding of helping, I am obligated to assist my neighbor when he or she is down. The point is not to give handouts and make myself worse off by assisting someone else. There are many ways in which I can support my neighbor. The only way I can help is by listening and understanding. Too often, social justice is used to appease and renounce personal responsibility. As I mentioned earlier, everything is interconnected. By giving handouts or promoting them, I am not thrifty. No one cuts off their nose to spite their face. The ability to provide for yourself rests solely on the shoulders of each individual on this planet. This has been proven in the past, and it shouldn’t be denied today.
It is essential for Scouts in today’s world to understand this brutal truth. They must be able to use the resources around them to offer aid to those in need. The importance of knowing our local resources is one example. In the case of someone who is financially struggling, a worthwhile question to ask could be, what can we do to help them find a better job? Maybe we can find a way to refer them to a qualified specialist for further education or training within industries that require workers. Is there someone we know who is suffering through a marital or relationship crisis? The most effective way to help is to be present and listen to them. In today’s world, too much is based on people giving things away to others who haven’t done their part.
Giving someone the solution to their problem is not helping them. Hunting and gathering was a way of life for hunter-gatherers, but if a man could not hunt, fish, or harvest, and if women could not maintain a household, we would not survive very long as a village. In today’s world, this is also true. It does not matter what we think; if the number of people who don’t work and seek aid from others outnumbers those who produce, then we won’t last very long. Choosing between two options is a difficult decision for a Scout. Making such a decision is, however, a profoundly personal one.
My interpretation of these principles has already boiled some people’s blood. Allow me to calm your anger a bit. As a Scouter, if you believe that “helping” someone occurs through giving them a means of overcoming the situation they are in through YOUR means, feel free to do so. As a citizen, you also have that right. Your right to act independently and to define what “help” means to you is within your rights. However, that’s all there is to it. Your oaths are taken independently, and that means you are acting independently. This is why the first section states explicitly, “On MY Honor.” It doesn’t mention our honor or imply any conditions for other people. The pact is between you and yourself. Anything beyond your independent understanding is grounds for violating the rights of those around you who may think similarly or differently than you.
Finally, the third section states:
“To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
This final section is probably the toughest to understand for both new Scouters and those of us who have left or aged out of the organization. This is because these three principles are constantly changing due to cultural changes. It’s even more complicated as an adult. Being physically strong is easy. It’s the low-hanging fruit of these principles. Nevertheless, it remains crucial because it is interconnected with other parts of the oath and law. Here’s a quick story to illustrate my point.
Before Miata and I left Virginia, we drove around the Williamsburg area heading to dinner when a storm approached. High winds were not uncommon, and anyone familiar with Williamsburg, VA, knows protected ecosystems and wildlife reserves surround it, so there are a TON of trees in that area. Well, in 2019, we had just finished having an enormous amount of rain, and the soil in Williamsburg isn’t always known for being very good, and runoff is pretty standard. As we drove down a hill towards the outlet mall nearby, a massive tree fell in the intersection about two cars in front of us, smashing three cars and landing on top of one SUV. I pulled our Acadia over and ran full sprint to assist. Several others came as well, and I and four others were able to pull a small girl (probably around 6–7) out of the back seat while the father, who was also ok, was able to get pried out of the front seat and receive aid from the others who were with me to assist. If I weren’t physically strong, pulling away massive branches and lifting parts of a tree in a glass-ridden trunk with two other men would not have been possible if I wasn’t continually working on being physically strong or mentally awake. We don’t know when disasters strike; they often strike when we aren’t prepared. By being prepared and continually ready, we stand the best chance of being willing to step in if and when something occurs.
There was not much emphasis on being morally straight in this story, but it emphasized the importance of being physically strong and mentally straight. Our value systems, how we view ourselves, and how we engage with others determine our mental and moral wellness and what we understand regarding fairness and justice. Our perceptions of right versus wrong. What do we feel about the world’s evils, and how do we engage with our systems to help improve them? Being morally and mentally straight encompasses all of these things.
A great example of this was given to us by Andy Grafton with the exercise of two 2x4s, one of which was straight and one of which was warped. We were asked which board was more robust, the bent or the straight. It was obvious that we all chose the straight one. Although the straight board is indeed straight, he would always laugh and explain that it is not weather-treated, so it would not be as strong as the warped board that had been part of his shed for years.
I never really asked him if that was the case. However, as I got older, I did ask him what the point was of showing us the difference between a warped board and a straight one. He told me, “ No matter our views, they will become distorted, changed, and weathered over time. Are we mentally and morally tough enough to survive those changes and still believe in what is right, or will we crumble and become brittle?”
THE SCOUT LAW
In the above picture, the Scout Law is depicted with the definitions underneath it to help Scouters understand the meaning of these 12 words. Below I have reposted it for ease of access so we can unpack it together.
A Scout is Trustworthy
It’s extraordinary to be worthy of someone’s trust. You and another person have formed a friendship pact based on transparency. As shown in the picture, a Scout’s HONOR can also be trusted. However, it is essential to note that being trustworthy comes with its own set of responsibilities. I cannot be reliable if I don’t follow through on my word or act contrary to who I am. To be trustworthy, I must be consistent in my words and actions. It is challenging for nearly every Scouter to trust everyone he meets since he is only responsible for himself. The person you are cannot and should not change to please others. This picture was taken from Baden Powel’s original text, and the definition of trustworthy may differ based on current training. To help you compare and contrast, I have also pasted the description from Scouting.org.
“Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.”
Nowadays, being dependable is an essential quality. People cannot rely on you if you cannot keep your promises and tell the truth. When people cannot depend on you, fulfilling your oath becomes impossible. You must also be honest with yourself. Being unable to depend on others has some real-life consequences. However, if you cannot rely on yourself, that is far worse.
A Scout is Loyal
According to the old definition, a Scout is a friend and a brother to all. Despite some changes in vocabulary, the new definition held very accurately to the meaning of the old.
Scouts must also be loyal. According to the old definition, he is loyal to his Scout Leader, home, parents, and country. The new definition states:
“Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
Loyalty is a great word with many uses, especially today. First and foremost, the definition today has evolved to mean:
Definition of loyal
1: unswerving in allegiance: such as
a: faithful in allegiance to one’s lawful sovereign or governmentwere loyal to the king
b: faithful to a private person to whom faithfulness is duea loyal husband
c: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or producta loyal churchgoerloyal to the party of their forebears — Dennis Farney
To fully understand the act of loyalty, it is imperative to have an explanation. The first thing to note is that this is a verb. Therefore, it is an action. Loyalty cannot be simply stated. Loyalty means committing to and following through on one’s promises and commitments and being trustworthy. Trustworthiness leads to loyalty, by extension. Secondly, it is crucial to stay true to your principles and values. In today’s world, it is easy for people to pretend to be loyal to ideals and regulations they don’t hold. It is up to YOU to decide what values and principles you will live by, and you must be loyal to them. Your loyalty is what makes you who you are.
It is important to be loyal to laws, officials, government agencies, teachers, and community members. Loyalty as an adult also involves loyalty as a spouse. My marriage has now lasted over five years. Being loyal creates a massive wave of trust in Miata, building her up and giving her pride as my wife. It is also true for me. Trustworthiness and loyalty are two things that are required for marriage or any kind of relationship.
A Scout is Helpful
I mentioned earlier that being helpful is interconnected, and here is that point of interconnectedness. A helpful person is always ready to save lives, help injured people, and share household duties at any time. He must make at least one “Good Turn” to someone daily.” Unfortunately, this definition has lost much of its impact over the years. As of today, the definition is simple.
“Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.”
As a result of its more significant impact on its application today, I will hold the older definition to be more accurate and notable for this explanation. According to the old definition, we must constantly remind ourselves of the connection between the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto. For simplicity, I did not post the Slogan and Motto above, but they are:
- Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily
- Motto: Be Prepared
Now we can see how the older definition of being helpful connects to other aspects of didn’t. This is of utmost importance today. You must be alert mentally to those around you and physically strong to assist in a crisis wherever it may occur. Being helpful also means paying it forward to your neighbor. You could do something as simple as cutting someone’s grass, helping them with groceries, or just being a listening ear. Preparation is also a part of being helpful. A person cannot help someone if they aren’t prepared. Mental fortitude is essential to effective leadership. In this game, you don’t simply memorize, recite, and forget. Every single day, we must live it.
A Scout is Friendly
The old definition states that a Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout. The new definition held very true to the meaning of the old while adding a few changes in verbiage to reflect the changing times.
“Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.”
It is not difficult to be friendly today, but being friendly to those who think differently can be challenging. We have become increasingly divisive as a nation, with no beholden nationalism to bind us together as a people. I will draw on my interactions with people from other countries to clarify the message.
When Miata and I traveled for our first time in Japan using the rail system, we got lost in Shinjuku Station. Now, Shinjuku is the easiest station to get lost in for those unfamiliar. With so many twists and turns, lefts and rights, and ongoing construction to the mix, it is easy to get lost. As we stood in the middle of the station, looking at our phones, trying to make sense of the next station to go to and where that station may be, an older lady approached us. First, she spoke in Japanese before she realized that we were American and probably didn’t understand. She politely asked us if we were lost and needed help finding the station. Both Miata and I were stunned. We smiled and gladly accepted her help and her guidance. She smiled and explained how the station was split into two locations, and we needed to head outside the station to arrive at the one we were looking for. Instead of just leaving us to our own devices after her explanation, she escorted us to the station we needed to go to and asked if we needed help with the train ticket before she left to head back in the direction we came from. We never did catch her name, but her friendly demeanor made a significant impression on us and is something we both fondly remember.
A friendly attitude does not require a reward, nor does it need someone to think of the outcome as a reward. Being friendly IS the reward. There was no request for compensation or explanation from this woman that she would be late for her train. She did say that if we got lost again and asked any Japanese person for help, they would have no problem assisting us. Their pride in their country is in helping others to enjoy it.
A Scout is Courteous
Being courteous can teach us a lot, especially in common conversations with others. According to the old definition, a Scout must be courteous to others, especially women, children, elderly people, and the weak and helpless. “He must not be paid for being helpful or courteous.” We don’t have to worry about this too much since many are not compensated like they were for good deeds during Baden Powell’s time. It is important to note, however, that compensation doesn’t always have to be monetary. Currently, the definition is as follows:
“Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.”
When we speak to other people in person, via email, through text, or online, we often fail to be aware of our manners and how we talk to them. Most people online are trite and uncaring when it comes to the facts and opinions of others, especially in political discourse. Learning from others who think differently from us is made more challenging by our inability to be courteous to them. I believe that our inability to accept criticism is primarily the result of our desire to be correct. This is further complicated by most people who care more about “winning” an argument or exchange rather than accepting that the other person enriched the conversation simply by engaging in it. Over the last three years, I have been practicing this extensively.
I used to argue with the other person until I exhausted myself or forced them out of the conversation. While I still have a lot of work to do, interacting with a diverse group of people has helped me realize that being right isn’t the point of discourse. In much the same way that scientists use the Scientific Method to prove or disprove their hypotheses, discourse does the same. The purpose of engaging is to expose holes in our thought process or argument or to convey meaning and proof of what we believe is true. We cannot engage in proper discussions if we are focused on being right. In addition to listening before responding, being courteous also requires us to think before we act.
We do not have to agree to listen, engage, and be courteous. Many people get into trouble because of this. According to them, their value is diminished if someone doesn’t agree. This principle is even more necessary if you’re a Scout. You don’t have to be correct, nor does the other person. Alternatively, both of you might be right, and both of you might hold the key to the truth. Neutral individuals are never 100% impartial, even if they claim to be. Being neutral serves a purpose, but it is a weaker position than taking sides. It is impossible to truly understand any position until you take a side, engage in a dialogue, and refine your stance. Irrespective of whether you choose the right or wrong side, it doesn’t matter. The onus is on you to fine-tune your understanding. Conversations that were once difficult may become much more exciting and valuable for your growth and development if you combine this with courteous engagement with others.
A Scout is Kind
As stated in the old definition of a Scout, “he or she must be a friend to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly but will work for the protection of all harmless creatures.” In most cases, I don’t find that the definition used in the updated version is stronger than the older one, but here it is. When a Scout is in the wild, his interaction with nature and animals will be outside the comforts of his home. Therefore, the older definition emphasizes the importance of kindness to those animals. However, today, the revised report carries much stronger connotations that are useful.
“Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.”
As a result of integrating the Golden Rule, which also has profound Biblical implications, this definition also ties in other aspects within the Scout Law, including areas that we have already discussed. Being kind in the modern world goes hand in hand with being courteous. Likewise, I would conclude that they coexist harmoniously. Nowadays, we need to be much kinder to one another, especially those with different beliefs. In my field of study, globalization is a huge buzzword, indicating how much more symbiotic the world is today. Thus, cultural differences, nationalistic differences, and lifestyle differences are all parts of our society today that a Scout should be aware of. It is essential to be kind and courteous in how you engage with others and understand them.
Despite this, I would like to be precise. Being kind is important, but it doesn’t give people the right to disrespect you. My experience is that there have been times when I have seen a kind refutation of someone’s opinion that was expertly done with poise and grace, and the other party lashed out in anger. My statement earlier also applies here. Kindness doesn’t always require agreement. A kind person is a kind person. Living a life based on our values and principles, being aware of our words, apologizing when necessary, and being passionate about what we do. Human beings have the right to their own opinions, thoughts, emotions, and worldviews. It is never too late to learn new things, but it is not kind to force someone to accept their opinion, thought process, or way of life. Also, blindly agreeing isn’t kind to the other person.
Self-deprecation undermines trust and destroys loyalty when you sacrifice your values and principles. Those who are worth your loyalty and respect will also treat you kindly. Walking away from that person may be the best option if they don’t have your best interests at heart. Hence, it says explicitly, “Treat others as you want to be treated.” If someone forces me to accept their “truth,” they also treat me as they wish to be treated. As a Scout, I cannot treat them similarly. As a result, I should be kind and walk away.
A Scout is Obedient
Obedience is especially difficult today, both inside and outside the home. The old definition states, “A Scout obeys his parents, Scoutmaster, Patrol Leader, and all other duly constituted authorities.” It is one of several cases in which I enjoy combining the two to convey the whole meaning of how the principle can be applied today. Acctoday’sto today’s definition, a Scout:
“Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.
The term used in the old definition of constituted authorities is not commonly used by Scouters today. This simply means that the governing authorities are placed in charge of you. Good citizenship involves obedience. Today’s definition translated: “Obey the laws of your community and country.” What makes obedience difficult today is that much of what we see in law and politics ends up being wrong or against our values and principles, so we respond in a way that is much less obedient than it should be. It is much more likely that we will riot and take things into our own hands rather than engage with our legal and political systems as we should. That’s not obedience. I find it even funnier that we disagree on when we should and shouldn’t even riot; when one side does it, the other flinches and gets angry, and vice versa.
Submitting to authority is part of being obedient. It’s difficult to be submissive, and most people are uncomfortable with it. The belief that submission is a weakness rather than an expression of respect is prevalent among many people. This is where Scouts should put their mental alertness to work. Participating in politics is time-consuming. There are also a lot of gray areas and not many black and whites. As well as being extremely tiring, it can also be highly stressful. Engaging in town halls and staying up-to-date with news around your community is also essential to making informed decisions about who to vote for and what to vote for.
There is more to politics than just who gets the highest office. Presidents are minor players in comparison to Congress or local officials like mayors. We rarely pay much attention to the Congressional elections, let alone the character of those we elect. By the way, this applies to both sides. This applies to those who vote for the third, fourth, or eighth candidate on a ballot. To be obedient, we must commit to being educated, involved, and engaged.
A Scout is Cheerful
As with being courteous and kind, being cheerful helps us assist others and engage in our communities. According to the old definition, a Scout smiles whenever he can. He obeys orders promptly and cheerfully. Despite hardships, he never shirks or grumbles” You will note that obedience is tied into the older definition, demonstrating the connection between the definitions. According to today’s definition, a Scout should:
“Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.
When times are tough, it can be challenging to remain cheerful. Finding the diamond in the rough can be more difficult when things are negative. I have been meditating lately about what being cheerful means to me. One thing came to me when I was journaling and reflecting on a time-old quote.
Today, an old saying says, “It’s hard to see the forest through the trees.” It is a typical quote used when times are tough. What I discovered in that quote changed my perspective on this quote, hard times and how I could be cheerful through them. The first step in seeing the forest through the trees is to acknowledge the trees right in front of us. All trees are part of that forest. Trees are gifts that God has given us to learn a new skill or lesson. By acknowledging those trees, we can see the forest we are in.
A Scout is Thrifty
Most people will have a hard time swallowing and retaining this principle. Some people may even skip over this entirely. Being thrifty, however, is essential. There is no substitute for it. Your life will be much more difficult without this principle and skill. According to the old definition, a Scout “doe” not destroy property wantonly.” Scouts work faithfully, waste nothing, and make the most of their opportunities. By saving his money, he can pay for his way, help those in need, and assist worthy causes. The quote reads, “He may work for pay but must not receive tips for good turns or courtesies.” Though the current definition simplifies the old one, I believe it adds to, but does not take away, the important messages found in the old definition, so it should be merged into one complete description.
“Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.”
The modern world is full of excuses and expectations of what is “owed” to an individual rather than what he or she has earned. There are plenty of reasons that we make for why we fail, for why others perform better than us, and for living the lie that someone else owes us for our shortcomings. A faithful Scout must never behave in such a manner. Today, there are far too many ways to achieve success or to improve oneself. If pursued early and with conviction, some paths can catapult one ahead of the pack today. It is no longer the age of impossibilities when people can post content online, earn income, and make money from it.
Still, it takes time. Being thrifty is essential to preparing for the future and saving for it. In 2009, I graduated high school and was heading off to college, so I had to choose. My dad was reactivated and heading to Iraq. My brother had received a scholarship to pursue his military dreams. I had a younger sister who would need college funds. Like most families, mine was a hardworking, middle-class family, but we weren’t wealthy. I grew up in a family that believed hard work produces results. I enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College at 17 and got a full-time job waiting tables while attending school full-time. My college journey would see me fail out of George Mason University due to a substantial cultural obstacle I wasn’t prepared to handle, preventing me from progressing in college for up to three years at any Virginia institution because GMU blocked my transcripts from being obtained by other colleges.
Despite this, I continued to work hard and use the skillset of thriftiness that I acquired as a scout. Eventually, I was promoted to supervisor at FredFreddy’szen Custard for $10/hour. I still drove our old beat-up blue van and learned the hardest lesson: it costs a lot to afford little comforts. I know you wouldn’t want your car to break down after a 12-hour shift and get pulled over at 1:00 am because your side door falls off your van. Also, you don’t want to pick up that door, put it back in the car, drive home, and then explain why it’s off.
Being thrifty is indeed a challenging lesson. However, it prepared me to move out, find better work, negotiate better pay, and finally get my first apartment in my name. Having a thrifty mindset taught me patience. As a result, I learned how valuable money is and how difficult it is to hold on to it. Nothing was given to me. It is excellent to say that I managed to repay my parents for what they sacrificed for me by working hard enough to pay them back. “Try” is too often overused and fails to deliver. After that, we hear, “it’s not fair; how come he or she gets this or that?” It reminds me of children screaming at their parents for not getting them that toy that is a want and not a need. Indeed, they are children, but you are an adult. If you act like a child, what’s your excuse? Both mentally and physically, an adult should act according to their age. Young people between the ages of 16 and 19 constantly travel the world to make a living. The only thing they asked their families to do was to love and support them. No one else should expect less than the willingness to work hard to improve their position.
A Scout is Brave
It is difficult to be brave today, just as it was back then. Applying this principle will be challenging and is something I work on constantly to improve every day. The old definition states that a Scout “Dares to fa”e danger despite fear, and stands up for the right against the coaxings of friends or the jeers or threats of enemies, and defeat does not down him.” The update” Scouter definition is as follows:
“Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.”
Both definitions are worth unpacking. For starters, bravery requires courage, which means facing both fear and sometimes other people. In addition to meeting one’s failures and defeats, bravery includes confronting oneself. The new definition further emphasizes this by stating that a Scout must act on what they think is right regardless of what others say or do. Despite the United States Individualistic Culture (per Hofstede’s cultural dimensions), we are afraid of confronting others and standing up for our beliefs and values. This is partly due to a growing “mob” mentality where forced acceptance is rampant. You become like the Borg with their “hive mind” “or those Trekkies.
There is nothing brave about this. Bravery begins with aligning one’s thoughts and decisions with their set of values and principles. If you do not have a value system or a set of principles, then create them. Also, the need to rush into making a decision rather than contemplate and reflect before making one is what makes this equally challenging. In our interactions with others, this holds doubly true. While it’s easier to simply agree to avoid an argument or confrontation, it takes a brave person to disagree courteously and kindly and remain true to their beliefs.
As I mentioned earlier, being neutral can hinder one’s growth and development, especially if you’re stuck in the middle. Being brave is impossible if one lacks the fortitude to choose a side. Even if you want to be seen as independent or analytical, it’s mostly a mask that hides your fear of rejection. According to my mentor, truly successful people are easy to talk to because they do not fear others’ opinions and genuinely wish to impart knowledge to those seeking it.
It is tough to be brave when facing others. No one likes to feel rejected by others, which can deeply sting. Isolation and loneliness can often destroy even the strongest of minds. Success, however, can be a lonely journey if you walk it alone. Thus, it is brave as well to choose one’s company, as we will see in the following principle.
A Scout is Clean
The old definition of cleanliness states that a Scout “keeps cleanliness in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sport, clean habits, and travels with a clean crowd.” This new definition also specifies how a Scout should demonstrate cleanliness by stating that a Scout:
“Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.”
I would prefer to merge the two definitions in this case. More than hygiene is required to achieve cleanliness in mind, body, spirit, and soul. It is your thoughts that define who you are. It is often what you think about that determines what you say. This principle is mentioned in many religions. According to an unknown Taoist priest:
“The mouth is the door of the mind. If the mouth is not watched closely, it will leak the essence of the mind. The thought is the foot of the mind. If the thought is not guarded strictly, it will lead us to the evil path.”
When I tried to find out who wrote these words, I found few results, so I am unsure who wrote them. My knowledge of the Biblical principle behind this comes from Luke 6:45 (NLT) — “A good pers”n produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.” Our words “low from what we think, as explained by the Taoist priest and the apostle Luke. Our thoughts directly impact how clean our terms become as a result.
Furthermore, Jim Rohn, one of my favorite authors and motivational speakers, had much to say about the relationships of those around us. In an article about one of his famous quotes on this subject in BusinessInsider, it stated:
“Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. This relates to the law of averages, which is the theory that the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes.”
Likewise, the Bible also gives credence to this very same thought in Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) — “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
To conclude that every Scout must consider, I used several reference points. A Scout must be clean in his lifestyle, his habits, his connections, and in his own words and thoughts. The importance of this 360-degree perspective cannot be overstated. It is all well and good to debate what “clean” means and what it looks like to be “clean,” but”ultimately, what matters is that if you think it is harmful to others, then it is prudent to change it. It would be prudent to change your association if it causes harm to others, either directly or indirectly. It is probably time to find a new group of friends if you are talking trash about other people or calling them names. Keeping clean is necessary, but it takes the right combination of external and internal stimuli to maximize its effect on your ability to contribute to the community.
A Scout is Reverent
The hardest part of mentoring Scouts is explaining this principle. Traditionally, a Scout is reverent towards God. In addition to keeping his religious duties, he respects other people’s convictions regarding customs and religion.” According “o the revised definition, a Scout needs to:
“Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.
Neither definition is complete without the other. In the absence of either, reverence cannot be defined clearly. As a Christian, this holds a lot of significance because my reverence is also a sign of how I respectfully engage with other religions. It is stated here that a Scout shows reverence when he or she respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.” This definition goes into much greater detail than the one we use today by simplifying the concept of “respecting others’ beliefs.” Respecting someone’s beliefs is one thing, but adding in not just their religious convictions but also their customs is another matter.
In my last year at Camp Olmsted at Goshen Scout Reservation, I needed to find a way to teach this challenging lesson to my group of Star and Life Scouts. A scout camp worker is familiar with many difficult weeks during the year. Typically, the third week is the most difficult because most people sign up for it. There was no exception to that rule that summer. Due to their immaturity and lack of conviction, these “older scouts” were my most troublesome group.
Nevertheless, they were brilliant and asked tough questions. Our group had an Eagle Scout who was nearing 15 years old. His father was the Scoutmaster, so I know he had the means to motivate his son to receive it so early. I don’t know how he did it, but his father pushed his son in this direction.
One of my boys was 17 and almost was aging out, so I had to speed things up to ensure he could obtain the last merit badge he needed, emergency preparedness. Most people leave this merit badge until the end because of its length. Personal management is the only thing worse than emergency preparedness for most people. To earn this merit badge, you must complete a 30-day long project in which you must track income and expenses for a household while creating a budget according to a set income amount. The skills addressed include buying and selecting a house in a location that you can afford within your budget, purchasing a car or proving that you can travel to and from work using public transportation, and demonstrating that you can budget for your necessities — food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment. It’s a demanding Merit Badge.
This group of rowdy boys picked up on the fact that our young Eagle Scout also happened to be Hindu. When faced with privilege and envy, jealousy boys tend to bully and isolate each other. Getting them to lay off the poor kid was a challenge until we needed to do our emergency preparedness hike and camping event on Viewing Rock. Other hikers quickly realized they were unprepared for the walk and outdoor camping adventure. Despite knowing what they need to pack, most Scouts who doScoutingake things seriously pack the worst items. Our Eagle Scout ended up being the exception to the rule and overpacked. In the end, he shared some of the tools with the others and eventually taught some older ones how to handle the ruck and walk efficiently. After we arrived at the mountain, he even helped others prepare dinner and set up the Bermuda triangle we taught all scouts to create separate food, toilet, and sleeping area in case wild animals come looking for your food. While I didn’t instruct as much, I observed a great deal. I look back on that summer as one of my fondest memories and a great experience.
Having experienced bullying myself, it would have been easy to take pity on the Eagle Scout that summer and attempt to silence the naysayers. Nevertheless, I had already learned that it is often more important to be silent than to step in and correct. In our hike up the mountain, I shared with them that they all failed to properly understand the meaning behind reverence and how respect and reverence are synonymous. By only considering the Eagle Scout’s age, you disregarded his knowledge rather than understanding his upbringing and journey to reach his level of success. To respect someone’s customs, a Scout must understand that person’s culture well before making judgments about them. By treating each other with respect and reverence, they could have gelled as a group much earlier instead of only seeing each other’s worth on the 4th out of 5 days.
Concluding Thoughts
I hope I have provided my unfiltered thoughts to help others understand how Scouting has impacted my understanding and decision-making process. I have enjoyed writing, editing, and refining this post. In many ways, it has reminded me of the many lessons I have learned along the way. This post may have been much longer than any of my previous posts, but I am proud of what I have written and know that someone who needs to read it will find it helpful. This post’s best aspect reminds us that the values and principles that have created strong leaders can only benefit those who practice them.
Today, many organizations espouse the same beliefs and values as the BSA. There haven’t been many opportunities for me to engage with leaders within those organizations. However, I know you do an outstanding job instilling leadership principles into young men and women. This message is intended to show how these values and principles can help us make decisions and think through the complexity of the world around us, no matter what position we find ourselves in or what group we belong to. Finally, I would like to conclude this post with the honorable words of our Scout Benediction.
Scout Benediction
“Now, may the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again.”
