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.

2022-30 Muggle Vision

Years ago we took our group on a 15 mile hike between the Teton National Forest and Yellowstone National Park to a destination named Union Falls where a tributary of Mountain Ash Creek joins at the very brink of the falls. Near the falls you will find a geo-thermal hot spring that will give you hours of swimming along with treasure hunting at the bottom of the pool as people lose many personal items there. One of our leaders lost his wedding ring as he was jumping into the water!

Between the warm water, hours of swimming, the 7.5 mile hike in and the 7.5 mile hike back out, all the energy in your body is completely suck out of you by the time your done. This was the case as we were hiking back out and had about 4 more miles until we reached the trailhead. Everyone, scouts and leaders, were shuffling their feet as we slowly made our way back to the trailhead. None of us realized that we were hiking through a patch of huckleberries and that there was a large black bear having lunch 20 yards away from us! The first leader to notice the bear tapped me on my shoulder and whispered, “hey, there’s a bear over there.” My first reaction was, “Dude! Don’t mess with me.”

“No really, there is a bear over there!”

As my eye’s focused on the furry black bear munching on his berries, I tapped the should of the scout in front of me and whispered the same message, “Hey, there is a bear over there.” The scout was a little bit quicker and not so quite about the wildlife sighting. He yelled at the top of his lungs, “A BEAR!”

This is the only time that I have witnessed the ears and face of a black bear look exactly like a stuffed teddy bear. It’s ears perked up and it’s eyes got really wide and open, and then this big ole black bear tumbled backwards and started high tailing it in the opposite direction as scouts and leaders were running and screaming in all directions. Too bad this took place before smart phones. It would have made an epic video.

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we are introduced to the term, Muggles. In the first book Hagrid explains to Harry that a Muggle is a non-magic folk. In the third book or movie in this case, Harry has had enough of his Uncle and Aunt and is running away after blowing up Aunt Marge. He boards the Knight Bus and they start speeding through the streets on their way to London. With so many muggles also driving on the streets, Harry raises the following question. “What about the Muggles? Won’t they see us?!” To the reply Stan says, “Muggles! The don’t see nothing, do they?!”

This was the case for us as we were hiking through the forest and only focusing on our feet shuffling through the dirt. We had Muggle Vision. We were not paying attention to our surroundings as we walked directly into a bear during dinner time. I guess you could say that the bear also had Muggle Vision as he had no clue that 10 humans were walking in on him while he was munching away on his berries. One great tip is to always be aware of your surroundings. Our group was extremely lucky in this case as you never know what attitude a bear may have if you startle it.

Sometimes there are things going on around us that we have no clue of. Some of these things may include us missing out on opportunities for not paying attention. Who knows, maybe there is a troop or patrol member who is feeling left out or going through some hard times and just needs someone to be friendly too them. Let’s be the one that is paying attention so we can be friendly and helpful to other people at all times.

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.

2022-05 Two Sides To Every Story

I came across a short story involving one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin when he was a young printer at a newspaper.

Two Sides to a Story, By Wayne Whipple

While Franklin was struggling along, burdened with debts, a respected neighbor came in with an article which he said would make a stir, give the newspaper life, and pay well.

“I am glad to have something to give the paper life and make it entertaining,” Replied Franklin; “ I will read this as soon as I can.” “ I will call tomorrow,”  said the man of influence. “I know you will like it -  it is a needed rebuke.”

When young Franklin came to read the article, he found it full of bitterness and ridicule-written in a spirit of revenge. He felt sure that, if printed, it would be read by those interested in such personal attacks. It would make people laugh, but he decided not to publish it because it would do a wrong to a certain person.

He needed money badly. He went to the baker's and bought a two-penny roll, ate it in his office, and slept the sleep of the just.

Next day the wealthy citizen called and asked:

“Have you read it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What do you think of it?”
“That I cannot use it, sir.”
“I am not sure but that it would be a wrong to the person you have attacked. There are always two sides to a story. I should not like such things printed about me.”
“But you will lose the money, young man, have you thought of that?”

Young Franklin drew himself up, in the strength of his young manhood, an answered slowly and firmly:

“I am sorry to say, Sir, that I think the article is scurrilous and defamatory. But I have been at a loss, on account of my poverty, whether to reject it or not. I, therefore, put it to this issue. At night when my work was done I bought a two-penny loaf, On which I supped heartily. Then wrapping myself in my great coat, I slept soundly on the floor until morning, when another loaf and a mug of water afforded a pleasant breakfast.”

“Now, sir, since I can live very comfortably in this manner, why should I prostitute my press to personal hatred or party passion for a more luxurious living?”

The next time New Jersey wanted paper money printed, it was Franklin who was sent for.

These days, it is very common to read many one-sided stories.  Almost everyone in this world has the tools of social media to do so. We don’t need a large printing press like Benjamin Franklin. Our printing press fits right in the palm of our hand. Sometimes we are the ones who post these personal attacks or rebukes in anger.  Sometimes we are the victims of such messages. My own children have had experience with negative one/sided comments against them, and I’m very confident that many of you have also experienced this. Take a look at the comment sections of most news websites and you will see some of the anger and rage in opinions… Actually… don’t look it up. Just take my word for it. Everyone knows that we are in a very polarized time of the world.  One thing that may be a good idea is to pause for a second before sending a heated post, email, or text message to someone that has done us wrong and ask ourselves, “will this make matters better or worse?” “Is this reflective of how I should act as a Scout?” One thing I was told when I was a kid was to count to ten if I was angry… and afterwards if I was still angry… keep on counting until you have calmed down. 

Let's always remember the points of the Scout Law, Friendly & Kind. And to always be friendly and kind to everyone, even those who have done us wrong.

2021-24 W. Ben Hunt

A few years ago a band of Sioux Indians came to Milwaukee with a circus. A twelve-year-old boy found his way to the circus grounds to see the Indians with their buckskin leggings, their war bonnets of eagle feathers, and their painted faces. The boy hung around their tepees all day trying to talk to them, but they completely ignored him. 'If there was only some way, I could figure out how to get them interested in me, if I could only think of something they want, maybe I could get them to talk to me,' the boy thought.

Then he remembered how thick the wild rabbits were in back of the park. He hinted to the Indians that they might like some wild meat for a change. It wasn't very long until this boy was stalking cottontails with the Indians. After the hunt, the Indians took Ben back to their encampment and allowed him to go into their tepees with them. They skinned the rabbits and threw them in cooking pots for their dinner.

Sometimes it’s hard for us to get to know someone new. There will be sometimes in our lives that we will be the one reaching out to make a new friend. And, there will be times that we will need to be the one who needs to be open to someone who is reaching out in order to know us more.

Back to our young man Ben,

Do you know who he was? He’s W. Ben Hunt. The Boy’s Life artist and the writer of over 1,000 articles on Indian lore and handicraft.