2023-12 The Scout Handshake

As we start on the trail of scouting, Requirement number 1 of the Scout Rank has us learning and explaining how and when to use the Scout Handshake.  The Scout Handbook says the following,” Extend your left hand to another Scout and firmly grasp them by the left hand. Made with the hand nearest to your heart, the Scout Handshake signifies friendship.”  We use the right-hand shake when greeting others outside of scouting. 

A young scout back in 1929 asked Daniel Carter Beard the question of “why do we use the left hand shake when greeting fellow scouts.” Here is Uncle Dan’s response, “By agreement of the Scout Leaders throughout the world, Boy Scouts greet Brother Scouts with a left-hand clasp. This means of greeting is also used in connection with all Scout gatherings. It is intended to have this different method serve to remind Scouts that they belong to a world-wide brotherhood and that everywhere throughout the world Scouts are following this method of extending greetings as evidence of their interest in Scouts in all parts of the world.” Pretty much the answer was; because that’s how it’s done within scouting around the world.

The story that has been passed down through time tells us the following.

“The left handshake comes to us from the Ashanti warriors whom Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, knew years ago in West Africa. He saluted them with his right hand, but the Ashanti chiefs 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 Baden-Powell’s bravery for they had fought against him and with him, and were proud to offer him the left hand of bravery.”

The Scout Handshake symbolizes respect, courage, and friendship. This kind of sounds like some points of the Scout Law right?  Soon it will be time for week-long scout camps and jamborees where we may need to muster up some bravery to talk with new people we have never met.  Start by offering your left hand and introducing yourself as you create friendships within your scouting adventures.

2023-01 Difficult Roads

Today we say hello to the very first day of the year 2023. For the past 2 years, rather than displaying ads for items that are on sale, our local grocery store has placed inspirational messages on the signs along the outside of the building. Yesterday as I pulled to get some last minute items for our New Year's Eve celebration, I read the following. “ Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” I kept thinking about this sentence as I was walking through the isles and some of the beautiful destinations that I personally have explored this past couple of years.

Sequoia National Park comes to mind as the road to reach the park is one that will push your vehicle to its limits with the steep and windy road. But hugging one of those massive redwoods after enduring the long hard road is totally worth it.

Timpanogos Caves inside Mt. Timpanogos is another one that comes to mind. Even though the hike up to the cave is only 2.5 miles, it is a hike that will push your body to its limits. After you reach the cave opening, and catch your breath for about 20 minutes so your heart doesn’t jump out of your chest, the beauties of all the stalagmites and stalactites along with the Heart of Timpanogos will take your breath away again.

Ruth Lake is another hidden gem that we discovered inside the Uinta National Forest along the Mirror Lake Hwy. The elevation is pretty high up there which brings its own challenges with breathing, headaches, and fatigue and the trail is constantly up and down throughout the 3 mile round trip. But the blue high elevation lake is one that brought me one of my most relaxing days I have had in a long time as I took a nap in the hammock alongside its shore line.

These are all great destinations, and there are many more that I could talk about. But, my mind started thinking about some of the destinations that I have reached that are not necessarily found on a map. These are items that I have personally accomplished that may have been difficult to endure through. I think my son would have one of his personal destinations be planning and completing his Eagle Project.

New Years is one of those great times of the year that we can reflect on how we are personally doing, what we should be doing better, and some of the items we would like to complete on our bucket list. It’s a time for resolutions and goal setting. I personally do not have New Years resolutions, but I do set some goals that I would like to accomplish for myself personally along with some goals I would like to accomplish with my family.

These past couple of years have been very difficult for many people. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. I personally had the difficult time of losing my father in October of 2021. My kids would probably say that their school year this last year was really difficult. Difficult roads will always be part of our life. Whatever your difficult roads have been, take some time to reflect on how you are the person that you are now because of the experiences you have been through. Reflect on some of those amazing places that you have hiked to or camped at that were off the beaten path. Each difficult road that we endure through makes us a little more Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

2022-23 Positive Attitude

This Scouter’s Minute is one that I shared way back in 2014 when I first started ScouterLife.com. This was way before I even thought of creating this podcast and having our weekly scouter’s minutes available by both audio and text. This one is entitled “Positive Attitude”.

A good positive attitude can truly change the way you approach life, and your future. Let me illustrate with a short story.

A few years ago, there was a wildlife organization out west that offered a bounty of $5000 for wolves captured alive.

Two friends, Sam and Jed, decided to make their fortune. Day and night, they scoured the mountains and forests looking for their valuable prey.

Exhausted one night, they fell asleep dreaming of their potential fortune.

Suddenly, Sam woke up a bit startled, and saw that they were surrounded by a huge pack of nearly 70 wolves with searing black eyes, and bared teeth. Low growls rumbling from their throats.

He slowly reached over and nudged his friend and said 'Jed, wake up! I think we're rich!'

A lot has happened in the past eight years from when I first shared this scouter’s minute. There is an extreme amount of negative things happening to each and every one of us on a daily basis. These figurative wolves that surround us may be noticeable by those we interact with. But, they could also be items that affect us emotionally or mentally which are a little harder to see and help us with. Sometimes it’s easier to just be in a bad mood and not give two hoots about the outcome of being in such a mood. But, in my household, that usually ends up with all parties in a bad mood. I’m not sure how I would have reacted if I was the one in this story and was surrounded by a pack of wolves. Especially since wolves are the one creature that I worry about the most when camping near Yellowstone. I hope that each of us can be like Sam in this story and have a positive attitude when our own wolves that attack us everyday surround us.

2022-19 Turn That Frown Upside-down

The past couple of years, with individuals wearing masks has made it difficult to see everyone’s smiles. With more restrictions disappearing, we can again start to see everyone’s facial expressions. It’s amazing how your nonverbal facial gestures can give off so much communication. One of these key gestures is that of smiling.

A smile can mean multiple things. Happiness, joy, content, and even empathy. Sometimes we have to force a smile as the camera is pointed at us and mom or dad is telling us to say “cheese”. But, most of the time we smile when we are happy. It’s also one of those contagious things we can do. Next time you are in the grocery store, in line for school lunch, or at the bus stop. Make eye contact with someone and give them a smile. Don’t make it weird… but just a simple smile. Chances are that they will smile back. Plus you might have brightened their day with your smile. According to a study at Walden University, we do not learn how to smile. We are actually born knowing how to smile. With the advancement of 3D ultrasound technology, doctors and medical practitioners have been able to identify that developing babies smile in the womb. Once a baby is born, they continue to smile. This is true of all babies regardless of culture and environment, as smiling is a basic and biological uniform human expression.

When I was little, I can remember singing a song in my Sunday School primary class. The lyrics go like this:

If you chance to meet a frown,
Do not let it stay.
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away.

No one likes a frowning face.
Change it for a smile.
Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while.

Dale Carnegie wrote the following poem about a smile:

It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None are so rich they can get along without it and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in a business, and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anyone 'til it is given away. And if in the hurly-burly bustle of today's business world, some of the people you meet should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?

For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give..

In the Scout Law we strive to be helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful. What better way to start than with showing off your smile to others.