2019-13 Win By Losing

Actor and martial arts expert Chuck Norris knows that “might” does not always mean “right”. He explains:

Not long ago, after a day of filming my television series, I went alone to a small Texas cafe. As I sat in a corner booth, a large man towered over me and said with an edge to his voice that I was sitting in his booth. I didn’t like his tone or his implicit threat, but I said nothing and moved to another booth. A few minutes later, though, the big fellow was headed back in my direction. Here he comes, I thought, a local tough out to make a name for himself by taking on Chuck Norris in a fight.

When he arrived at my new booth, he looked directly at me. “You’re Chuck Norris,” he said. I nodded.

“You could have whipped me good back there a few minutes ago,” he said. “Why didn’t you?”

“What would it have proved?” I asked.

He thought that over for a moment and then offered me his hand. “No hard feelings?” he said.

“None,” I said, and shook his hand.

I had avoided a confrontation and made a friend. I had won by losing.

2019-11 Persistence

I’d like to share a quote from Calvin Coolidge, who was our thirtieth president, serving from 1923 to 1929. He was known as a man of few words—one of his nicknames was “Silent Cal,” but here’s one thing he said that I really like:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. “Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

2019-10 Irish Blessing

May your troubles be less.
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
come through your door.

• Irish Blessing

2019-09 Walt Disney

I’m sure all of you have heard of Walt Disney, the father of Mickey Mouse and the creator of Disneyland. Walt Disney wanted Disneyland to be a clean place for families to visit. Whenever he saw any bit of trash at the park, he piked it up and put it in the garbage. He thought keeping the world clean was so important that he asked all of his employees to follow his example and pick up trash whenever they saw it. This month, let’s follow Walt Disney’s example and take the time to pick up trash when we see it and dispose of it properly.

2019-08 Aptitude and Attitude

We are all different. We have different aptitudes and

attitudes. Aptitude is a natural ability or talent, one’s

capacity to learn. Attitude is a mood or a state of mind

shown by actions and words.

As Scouts we must respect each other’s aptitudes.

We must be patient, whether we are teaching or being

taught. Our attitude toward what we are doing reflects

what we are. If you have a good attitude, your aptitude

will improve.

2019-07 Symbols

There are a lot of symbols that we recognize. Let’s take
some time to name or draw a few that we know: the
Coca-Cola logo, a poison warning label, a stop or yield
sign, the Amazon logo, the Scout badge, a heart symbol,
cross, etc.

When you see these symbols, you know what they
mean—what they stand for, what some of them instruct
you to do.

You, too, are a symbol. You represent the Boy Scouts
of America. People see you and know that you stand for
something good. You stand for being trustworthy, loyal,
helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Be a good symbol!

2019-06 A Bicycle

Have you ever thought about how a bicycle works? Most of us just hop on and let it take us where we want to go without giving it a second thought. A closer look shows it takes a lot of different pieces doing their part and working together to make transportation happen.

When you push the pedal with your foot, a lot happens to make the wheels turn. The pedal turns a crank that turns a gear, which pulls a chain that turns another gear, which turns a hub, which pulls the spokes, which turns the wheel, which pulls the tire that pushes against the road to make the bike go.

When you want to stop, you pull a lever that pulls a cable against a housing, which causes another lever to move, which pushes a pad against the wheel. Changing gears involves levers, cables, housing, springs, and pulleys working together. If any one part fails to work when it is supposed to, the whole system fails to work. When one system fails, the bike can still be ridden, but not in top form.

You are the parts, just like on the bicycle. Our patrols are like the pedaling, braking, and gear-changing systems. The senior patrol leader is like the rider. He directs a pedal or a lever—your patrol leaders—to do their part and they in turn ask you to do yours. If you choose not to do your part, your patrol suffers and the troop doesn’t work well. The troop is our vehicle to adventure, fellowship, and good times. And each of you is a very important part.

2019-05 Don't Be Afraid To Fail

You’ve failed many times, although you might not remember. You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn’t you? Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot. R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on. English novelist John Creasey received more than 700 rejection slips before he published over 600 books. Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. Don’t worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.

2019-04 A Game Of Cards

Christopher Reeve was a movie actor who played the part of Superman. Everything was going right for him. He had a successful acting career and a nice family; he was seemingly all set for a wonderful life. Then he had a horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. All he could move was his neck a little bit—he couldn’t even breathe on his own. It looked like everything had changed for Chris, and that the rest of his life would be very dismal.

It was true that nearly everything had changed for Chris. Two things that hadn’t changed were his positive attitude and the people around him who really cared. Chris fought the desperate feeling of being paralyzed, the fear of his breathing machine shutting off and no one being there to help him, the fear of anything happening and not being able to do anything about it, not even yelling for help. He worked hard to get some “feeling” (if that is what it could be called) and learned to breathe somewhat on his own—he learned to talk by drawing in a mouthful of air and slowly letting it out past his voice box. This took hours and hours of painful, scary work, but with his positive attitude and other people helping, he improved his situation.

He said in an interview that life is like a game of cards. If you enjoy the game and you want a chance at winning, you will keep playing cards. Sometimes you get a good hand with a lot of face cards and sometimes not. You have to play with the cards you are dealt. There is always a chance that you will win. If the game is worth playing, you will keep playing. The game of life is worth playing. Do your best to fight off the fear of losing and encourage others to keep playing “the game.”

2019-03 The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway, came at the evening,
cold and gray, to a chasm, vast and deep and wide, through
which was flowing a sullen tide.

 The old man crossed in the twilight dim - that sullen stream
had no fears for him, but he turned when he reached the other
side, and built a bridge to span the sullen tide.

 "Old Man", said a fellow pilgrim near, "You are wasting strength
in building here. Your journey will end with the ending day; you
never again must pass this way. You have crossed the chasm, deep
and wide, why build you the bridge at eventide?"

 The builder lifted his old gray head. "Good friend, in the path I
have come," he said, "there followeth after me today, a youth whose
feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been naught to me, to
that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in
twilight dim; good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

               by: Wm. Allen Dromgoole

2019-02 Baden-Powell's Blanket

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said this to Scouts everywhere: "I often think when the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven, but the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world. The stars are not all the same size; some are big, some are little, and some men have done small deeds but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they went to heaven.

2019-01 Good Wood

Have you ever tried t hammer in a bent nail? Even if you straighten it out before you try to reuse it, the nail still bends very easily. Only a new, straight nail will provide the best results. A carpenter beginning a new project always starts with the best materials he can find - nails, tools, and wood. In the hands of a skilled carpenter, these materials will be used to create a beautiful table or a cabinet. Remember the lesson from the carpenter; nothing beautiful can be carved from a rotten piece of wood.

Your character is the material you’re using to build your life. Twenty years from now, you will begin to see the product you are building. The question to ask yourself is this: “Is the wood you’re using now good wood or rotten wood?”

• The Scoutmaster Minute - Ron Wendel

2019-00 A Scout Is Trustworthy

An architect who had just finished college was trying to get his business established and was having a hard time doing it. He still owed money for some of his college expenses and saw his debts piling up. Each day he became more and more worried, and was looking around desperately for a solution.

Then a wealthy man, who had been a good friend of his father, came to him one day. "I want you to build me a house," he said. "Build it of the finest materials. Spare no expense. Build it as if it were for yourself and you had all the money in the world. Here is an advance on your fee. I ll be gone for months, so take full charge."

It was like a dream to the young architect. With the advance, he wiped out all his debts, and he knew that he could be married soon. For when the house was finished, he could expect other good commissions. Then his reputation would be established solidly. So he set to work with great joy.

As the building progressed, the architect was struck with an idea. The owner would not be back for months. No one was keeping check on the building. He could build the house just as he pleased. So he began to use second-rate materials where they wouldn't show. As he went on this way, he figured he would make an extra ten thousand dollars for himself, because, of course, he would charge the owner for the best materials throughout.

Well, the house finally was finished and the owner came back. The man was pleased. "It's beautiful," he said. "But, unfortunately I will never live in it. While I was traveling, I made some investments in Europe that will keep me there perhaps permanently. And I want you to have this house as a wedding present. It's so beautiful! It's a true picture of your own character, true and loyal all the way through!

Imagine how the young architect felt! Yes, the house was a picture of his own character, and would be there to remind him of his cheating for as long as he lived.

Don't Get Discouraged

If you sometimes get discouraged, consider this fellow: He dropped out of grade school, ran a country store, went broke, spent 15 years paying off his bills, married, became unhappy in his marriage, ran for the House of Representatives and lost twice, ran for the Senate and lost twice, delivered a speech that left his audience indifferent but later became a classic, was attacked daily by the press and despised by half the country. Despite all this, imagine how many people all over the world have been inspired by this awkward, rumpled, brooding man who signed his name simply A. Lincoln.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here, and that means a school holiday, probably some football games to watch, and surely a big meal of turkey with all the trimmings.

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 football. 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.

(The Retired Scouter)

Hazards Of Living Easy

A bluebird wearied at the constant task of hunting worms each morning and when he saw how easy a farmer found worms in his digging asked if he couldn’t have some. The farmer said, “Yes, I’ll give you a worm each morning in exchange for a feather.”

The bird said, “I have many feathers I don’t need. I’ll trade you.” It was so easy now to get his worms each morning that he did not notice his diminishing cover of feathers - until one morning he attempted to fly away and he found himself earth bound. Then in great fright he wanted to trade back, but it could not work that way. Life is not like that. The trade had been made and he must suffer the tragic consequences.

Found on pg 42 of the Scouters Minute 1967, YMMIA, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Can You Sleep When The Wind Blows?

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly.

The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

How does this apply to our lives? The story about the young farmhand illustrates a principle that is often overlooked about being prepared for various events that occur in life. There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young farmhand's preparations he just faithfully did what was needed each day. Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm. A short poem expresses this principle as it pertains to your life.

It isn't the things you do,

It's the things you leave undone,

Which gives you a bit of heartache,

At the setting of the sun.

What are you leaving undone? Goodnight Scouts

One Person Can Make A Difference

• In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.

• In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.

• In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.

• In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.

• In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States.

• In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler the leadership of the Nazi Party.

• And in 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.

  Each of us in our own way can make a difference.

Make Up Your Mind

“You can’t advance standing still”

Make up your mind that you will get to Second Class rank within a month or two months’ time, and then go right ahead. It’s as simple as that! Your patrol leader and your other troop leaders will help you, of course, but most important is the determination on your part to help yourself.

Somebody once said that the world makes beaten paths to the doorways of people who make better mousetraps. The beaten path notion has given way to a more aggressive approach to the mousetrap business!

Someone once said, “Just do good Scouting and someday you’ll be an Eagle.” Many people still say it unthinkingly. But it’s too long between Eagles!

Attaining Eagle rank isn’t any more automatic than leading the world in selling mousetraps. If you really want to be an Eagle Scout someday; and want it badly enough to make that your goal, keep pushing till you reach it. Take one hurdle at a time. Second, First, Star, Life; but don’t expect it to be easy. Don’t expect it to be automatic.

Found in the 1959 printing of the Scoutmaster’s Minute

Scoutcraft

Our Scout salute and handclasp are ancient signs of bravery and respect. When Washington was General of the Continental Army, men carried weapons for their own protection. When they met one another there was an uneasy moment as each watched the other's right hand. If it went to his sword or gun, there was a battle, but if it went to his hat it was a salute of friendship or respect.

The left-hand shake comes to us from the Ashanti warriors whom Baden-Powell knew over fifty years ago in South Africa. He saluted them with his right hand, but the Ashanti chieftains offered their left hands and said: "In our land only the bravest of the brave shake hands with the left hand, because to do so we must drop our shields and our protection."

The Ashanti knew of the General Baden-Powell's bravery, for they had fought against him and with him, and were proud to offer him the left-hand shake of bravery.

On the twenty-second of February, we will honor the birthday of two brave men: General Washington, founder of our nation, and General Baden-Powell, founder of our Scouting movement. As you use the Scout salute and handclasp remember these two great men.

Found in the 1958 printing of the Scoutmaster's Minute