The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude in life. Attitude to me is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than whatever people say or do… It’s more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a Troop, a company, a church, … a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have and that is our attitude. Life is 10 % what happens to you and 90% how you react to it… A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.
We are in charge of our attitudes!
“Expect the Unexpected”
T170 COH, East Somerset Baptist Church, 2-24-20
Sir Robert Baden-Powell, whose birthday was this past Saturday (February 22), came up with the Scout motto, “Be Prepared,” two years before the Boy Scouts of America was founded.
In “Scouting for Boys” he wrote that to Be Prepared means “You are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”
Now Baden-Powell wanted young people to be equipped to react quickly to an emergency. But it is always important to “be prepared” while doing your duty.
Such as judging Pack 134’s cake baking contest. Expect the unexpected.
But who could have been prepared for a cake made from a mound of bologna, pickles, smothered in mayo, with a drizzle of squeeze cheese?
In just 10 days, we will all pause to give thanks.
Will you be thankful for things like friends, family, food, and freedom? For activities that you engage in or places you have been? Whatever it may be, it is great to have things for which we can be thankful – even if we have not received everything we may have wanted.
Another part of Thanksgiving is the giving part.
Not everyone can give money, but everyone can give time. And you can give by doing a Good Turn every day. It could be as simple as:
Shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk or driveway when it snows.
Helping an elderly neighbor to get groceries, fetch their mail, or carry in packages from their car.
Or, just asking someone if you can do them a favor – like holding a door open – or asking if they would just like to talk with you for a while.
Most important, doing a Good Turn means you don’t expect to be rewarded. Whatever Good Turn you do, don’t take more than a “thank-you” for doing it.
Afterall, isn’t that what the Scout Slogan commands: “Do a Good Turn Daily”?
Judging from recent years, I’m sure most of you Scouts have participated in organized academic or team sports, so you know what teamwork means.
Most football fans see a touchdown run and say, “Wow! Isn’t that guy a great runner?”
Maybe you see a great marching band performance and say, “Wow! Isn’t (fill in a name) a great musician?”
Ditto for the Academic Team member who dazzles the judges with an answer?
Maybe these individuals are great, but success is achieved by teamwork, not just one guy’s talents.
Patrols are the same way. If you win one of our inter-patrol contests, or if you have the best campsite at a camporee, it’s not just because one guy is such a great Scout. It’s patrol teamwork.
The secret of patrol teamwork is having every member do his job, whatever it is. If one Scout goofs off, the patrol suffers. If every Scout does his part, the patrol is bound to be a winner.
Possessing a winning attitude is what we call “Patrol Spirit.”
Is your patrol a winner? I’m not asking whether you win every contest, but in the end that isn’t important. I’m asking: Is your patrol doing the very best that it can and is every member contributing?
If your answer is no, then ask yourself: “Am I doing my very best? Do I have real patrol spirit?”
That means a school holiday, possibly travel to visit relatives, hopefully a big meal of turkey with all the trimmings, and perhaps time to begin setting up your Christmas decorations.
It’s a great time for everybody.
But before the holiday passes, take a few minutes to think about what it really means. Thanksgiving started out to be a time for giving thanks to God for his blessings. We should make sure to keep that thought in our celebration today.
That doesn’t mean we have to spend the whole holiday time in prayer. By all means we should enjoy the feast and the fellowship. But we should also remember that a Scout is reverent, and part of that point of the Scout Law is praying and giving thanks at appropriate times.
So when you sit down to your big Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget to offer your thanks to God, not only for the food but for all your other blessings.
When Luke was a Webelos Scout in Baltimore, Maryland, attending a fall campout, he diligently followed instructions in an attempt to build his first campfire using flint and steel.
The “birds nest” kindling bundle was carefully prepared and placed in the center of a tepee structure constructed of perfectly chosen pieces of tinder. He tried again and again to make a spark that would ignite the pile – perhaps 50 times or more.
His fingers became numb on that chilly September evening. Frustration grew. Finally, a small ember appeared that he nursed into a bright, warming campfire.
Now a Life Scout, Luke says that fire-starting episode would be his guiding light; it gave him confidence to progress to Boy Scouts with the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.
“I realized that with proper planning, practice, organization and perseverance, I could tackle and succeed at challenges that come my way,” Luke said. “I use the principles of the Scout Law … as a path to build my character and help me achieve my goals.”
“Scouting has opened up many opportunities for me to gain leadership roles, experience exciting outdoor adventures, build lasting friendships, and volunteer in new areas,” Luke added. “The same lessons I learned building my first fire on that cold, dark night gave me the building blocks to pave the way for me to be successful in Scouts, school, and other areas of my life.”
What is the moment that will spark the fire within you? What experience will help chart the course for your future?
Adapted from an article by Bryan Wendall, Bryan on Scouting Newsletter, August 9, 2018
Is it sometimes necessary to calm down before you do anything rash or hasty?
Ray Capp – Chair of the Scouting Alumni and Friends National Committee, a Silver Buffalo Award recipient, and a Distinguished Eagle Scout – told those attending Saturday’s Blue Grass Council Banquet that in those situations we should always follow Mom’s idiom to stop and “count to 10” before we speak.
But then he got philosophical, suggesting this advice might be applied to every situation we face in life, not just when we become angered.
Then he offered one additional thought: Perhaps we should count to 12.
But we shouldn’t use numerals.
Instead, we should recite the 12 points of the Scout Law.
This way, he said, you will have the best guide to the proper way to react in every circumstance.
Last night (February 18, 2018) on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Correspondent Margaret Brennan interviewed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation.
Tillerson, the show noted, is “a man who still considers himself a Boy Scout and follows what he calls ‘the Code of the West’.” Allow me to share a portion of her conversation.
In the middle of questioning about global diplomacy on such issues as economic trade and North Korea’s nuclear program, Brennan pulled out a black and white photo showing Tillerson in a Boy Scout uniform.
A Philmont patch hangs below an Order of the Arrow flap on his right pocket. On the left, a religious award medal dangles beside the Eagle Scout medal adorned with an Eagle Palm. He is grinning ear-to-ear.
Brennan: So how old were you here?
Tillerson: I think I was 14 when that was taken.
Brennan: You look very proud.
Tillerson: I am very proud. And was very proud. I still am.
Brennan: I can tell – I mean, Boy Scouts, you reference it a fair amount. That played a big, formative role in your life?
Tillerson: It really shaped who I am.
Brennan: You still think of yourself as a Boy Scout?
Tillerson: Yes.
Brennan: Really?
Tillerson: Absolutely.
Brennan: You don’t get to be the CEO of ExxonMobil as a Boy Scout.
Tillerson: I did.
Then, Brennan, noting Tillerson talks a lot about something he calls the “Code of the West,” asked him to define the term.
Tillerson explained that in the old West people basically relied upon each other’s word. “My word is my bond.” He said he has used that philosophy throughout his entire life.
“And then a lotta the Code of the West was people were very loyal to their organizations,” Tillerson continued, stating that the phrase “riding for the brand” described a person’s commitment to an organization.
So, let’s consider these phrases.
“Code of the West.” “Riding for the brand.”
To me, that sounds like the first two points of the Scout Law: Trustworthy and Loyal.
Two very good ideals.
So, as we leave here tonight, I encourage each of you to follow Tillerson’s “Code of the West” and “Ride for the Brand.”
Faith in Action
Scout Sunday, East Somerset Baptist Church, 2-4-18
There were 9 seconds remaining on the clock in the 2004 Sugar Bowl as LSU punter Donnie Jones stood in the backfield waiting for the snap.
The Tigers were ahead by a touchdown. All 11 Oklahoma Sooners players massed along the line of scrimmage, angry and determined. Their only chance to preserve a perfect season would be to block that punt.
Jones took the clean snap and calmly booted it away. The football rolled untouched as the seconds ticked away, giving LSU the BCS National Championship.
Tonight, the best punter in the Philadelphia Eagles’ history – Jones averages 45.4 yards per punt – will be seeking his first Super Bowl victory. As Bryan Wendell noted in his Scouting blog, it is a fitting irony that Jones is an Eagle Scout.
Jones is but one example of how Scouting helps builds integrity and prepares a young man or woman for success in adulthood.
Character development, leadership and service are essential components of Scouting organizations worldwide. With guidance from adult mentors and strong support from organizations such as East Somerset Baptist Church, thousands of youth are better prepared to face an ever-complex and confusing world.
A cornerstone of the Boy Scout Promise is “to do my duty to God and my country.”
This is Scouting’s commitment to moral, ethical, and spiritual growth. To reach our full potential and learn how to make better choices throughout our lives, each of us needs to believe in a higher power. How a Scout practices his or her religion is a decision left up to individual families.
The founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, knew that faith gives young people a road map for life, that it is a wise guide for thoughts and actions. Faith is the importance of recognizing that life is bigger than just you and your everyday concerns. It is our moral compass.
When you invest in Scouting – whether through your time and talent or your wealth – you are helping put faith into action.
As you tune into that fierce gridiron competition tonight, remember that every time Philadelphia gets jammed up by the Patriots they will call upon an Eagle Scout to save the day.
Why doesn’t the Scout Law include “A Scout is THANKFUL”? I think I might add that one as the 13th point of the Scout Law if I could.
A thankful scout sees that he is blessed with good things – food, family, friends, freedom, and even fun. He has opportunities for adventure and excitement that many other boys do not get.
A thankful scout understands that the world does not owe him anything. He realizes that he’s an awful lucky guy compared to the rest of the world.
Then, what should a thankful scout do? Saying that I’m thankful doesn’t count for much, just like saying I’m trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, … doesn’t mean much. I have to DO something to show that I am really that way. That is what living the Scout Law in my everyday life means.
I’m Thankful for being free to make my own choices, so I’m Trustworthy by telling the truth.
I’m Thankful for my patrol mates, so I’m Loyal to them by pitching in with hard tasks and working as a team.
I’m Thankful for scouts that have taught me, so I’m Helpful to younger scouts.
I’m Thankful for my friends, so I’m Friendly to people around me that don’t seem to have friends.
I’m Thankful for the efforts of the SPL and other leaders, so I’m Courteous and quiet while they speak.
I’m Thankful for being accepted into this troop, so I’m Kind to Webelos and welcome them to my troop.
I’m Thankful for my home and family, so I Obey my parents.
I’m Thankful that I have free time and opportunities to have fun, so I’m Cheerful even while working.
I’m Thankful for the money people give me for fundraising, so I’m Thrifty when buying food and gear for camping.
I’m Thankful for the soldiers, policemen, firefighters, and others that protect us from danger, so I’m Brave when faced with a scary situation.
I’m Thankful for the adults that drive on campouts, so I leave their car Clean when we’re done.
I’m Thankful for every day I wake up with more life to live, so I’m Reverent to my God.
When Mr. Smith came home from work, little Johnny ran up to him and asked, “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”
Very tired from a long day, Mr. Smith replied, “Come on, Johnny, I need to just relax for a minute. Ask me later.”
After dinner, Johnny came up to his Dad again, “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”
“Johnny, it’s not polite to ask people how much they make. But, I make thirty dollars an hour. Why do you want to know?”
“OK, Daddy. Could you loan me 15 dollars?”
“What? You just wanted to know what I made so you could ask for some? Go to your room!”
After awhile, and feeling guilty for getting upset, Mr. Smith went to check on his son. He thought, “Maybe I was too harsh. Maybe Johnny wants to buy something.”
Opening Johnny’s door, Mr. Smith said “Johnny, here, I have the 15 dollars you asked for.”
“Really?!? Thanks, Daddy!” Johnny took the money and opened his little savings bank to pull out a small pile of dollar bills and coins.
“Now I have enough. I have $30!”
Holding out the money in his hand, Johnny said, “Daddy, would you sell me an hour of your time?”
* * *
It is so important for you to spend time with your sons. It is time that you really can’t put a value upon, but has intangible benefits.
Troop 170 is blessed with parents, grandparents and caregivers who are willing to step up to ensure that we provide quality activities and programs for the Scouts. Each person, utilizing their own talents, makes an impact not only on their child, but on the lives of all youth involved.
Making time is invaluable, considering the rewards that are received from doing so.
Bryan Wendell, senior editor of Boys’ Life and Scouting magazines, wrote a column last week discussing B-P and B.P.
B-P is Robert Baden-Powell, a British general and founder of the modern Scouting movement.
B.P. is the motto – Be Prepared – he devised and published in Scouting for Boys, which outlined the framework for the Boy Scouts in 1908.
Bryan’s comments got me thinking.
How many of you remember the Disney movie “The Lion King”?
Scar was the lion tasked with leading the Lion Guard (which defended the Circle of Life). He plotted and eventually ousted his brother, Mufasa, as the king of Pride Rock.
In rallying the hyenas, Scar noted that their “powers of retention are as wet as a warthog’s backside.” Yet he urged them to “pay attention” so that they would be prepared “for a chance of a lifetime (because) a shining new era is tiptoeing nearer.”
“Just listen to the teacher,” Scar implores, adding, “I know it sounds sordid, but you’ll be rewarded.”
The ever-hungry hyena Banzai quickly agrees: “Yea, be prepared! We’ll be prepared! … for what?”
Sometimes it seems you guys are like the hyenas – hungry for advancement … for knowledge … for fun activities – and that me, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Cappel, and Mr. McIver may appear to take a Scar-like approach.
But we want you to be prepared?
“Prepared for what?” you ask.
In the current edition of your handbook – you all have read that, correct? – it is explained that Baden-Powell wanted Scouts to “prepare themselves to become productive citizens and strong leaders and to bring joy to other people. He wanted each scout to be ready in mind and body and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges await him.”
The young lion, Simba, was prepared. He eventually ousted his uncle Scar to become The Lion King.
As noted in the movie, when you are prepared “the future is littered with prizes.”
I hope that when you leave Scouting you are prepared to be effective leaders, productive citizens, and ready to meet whatever challenges present themselves to you.
Being Prepared
Scout Sunday remarks, East Somerset Baptist Church, 2-5-17
A year ago I stood before this congregation, an unfamiliar face, graciously thanking you and Brother Darvie [Fenison] for welcoming Boy Scout Troop 170 into the East Somerset Baptist Church family.
While still in a transition mode, today we feel right at home. And, yes, that green storage container will soon be gone.
In the Scout Oath and Law, one of the first things emphasized is God. Religious institutions, such as East Somerset, charter more than 73 percent of Scout units throughout the country.
The Troop currently has 23 boys and 20 registered adults. An additional 6 boys and 2 adults are involved with our Venture Crew.
In 2016, the Troop offered 22 nights of camping, many miles of hiking and canoeing, recognized 3 boys for reaching the highest rank of Eagle Scout, and, most important, provided 227 hours of community service. And as of last week, we now have a website – troop170somerset.com – to share our story.
In life, we move forward with the best intentions, often with specific ideas of where we want to go and what we want to achieve. Then reality strikes. Challenges present themselves. And, we are forced to adapt.
The Bible gives us a roadmap for our life journey. As we celebrate the 107th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America on Wednesday, it is useful to pay attention to Christ’s instructions.
In Matthew 25: 1-13 – The Parable of the Ten Girls – we learn about a missed opportunity for the five “foolish” young ladies who failed to bring extra oil for their lamps. Jesus concluded that passage by telling us: “Watch out … because you do not know the day or hour.”
The Boy Scout Motto instructs us to always “Be Prepared.”
This means being properly equipped when heading out on a hiking trek, camping adventure, or even participating in routine meetings.
This means having the “10 Essentials” with us at all times – in our cars, our homes, our work.
This means being ready to respond to an emergency or medical condition by having the knowledge, skills, and tools to react properly.
This means being prepared for the weather, or last-minute requests to switch meeting locations because of a church activity. Flexibility, after all, is the unofficial 13th point of the Scout Law.
This means accepting that we all make mistakes – and are prepared to learn from these mistakes and move forward.
Scouts are also prepared to serve others as Christ has served us. The Scout Oath instructs us “to help other people at all times.”
Troop 170 and Pack 134 are asking East Somerset Baptist Church to help show this Scouting Sprit by participating in the annual Scouting for Food drive next Sunday, February 12.
Let’s show our community the Scouting values of being Loyal, Helpful, Kind and Cheerful by bringing non-perishable food items that will then be taken to God’s Food Pantry to help fight hunger here in Pulaski County.
These are not ideals experienced only when sitting inside a building on a Sunday morning, but at all times.
We must Be Prepared for challenges, Be Prepared to help others, and Be Prepared to emulate Christ through our daily interactions.
Thank you again for your support.
A Voice in the Wilderness
Scout’s Own Service Comments, Klondike Derby, 1-15-17
For Scouts on a hike or a canoe trip or some other journey through the wilderness, a compass is an important tool. Because it gives you a stable reference point – magnetic north – you can set a course and follow it. As long as your compass is accurate and you don’t damage it, it will serve you faithfully – if you trust it.
Our faith is something like that. We have a point of reference that does not change: God. And we have a compass, so to speak, in our relationship with God. It’s something we have learned and continue to learn about, just as we learn to use a compass properly.
We use our spirituality and faith to get us through this grand journey we call life. If we are prepared to trust the things we have learned about God, our spirituality can guide us through the joys and the temptations of life. We can use it to show us what service we can give and what potential dangers to stay away from. We can use it to guide us in our friendships, in our work, in what we say to people and about people, and in how we treat our natural world.
When we fail to follow Scouting’s ideals – and all of us fail sometimes – our faith may flicker like a candle in a breeze. It’s up to each of us to keep Scouting’s flame burning brightly, and to live up to the principles for which Scouting stands.
Boy Scout Troop 170 