2022-12 Don't Get Lost

How many of us have felt lost?

How many of us have been lost before?

Years and years ago, when I was about 6 years old. I was lost. It was Christmas time and Mom and Dad were doing some shopping at the mall. There were 3 of us kids at the time with me being the oldest. And somehow, I lost my family in the crowd. I can’t recall if someone took me to the security office, or if the security officer was the one that found me, but either way, I was lucky that kind people helped me along the way. I do remember sitting at a desk with a typewriter in front of me and typing, “I am lost” over and over. I think my mother still has that piece of paper tucked away in a box somewhere. Eventually I was reunited with my parents. The real scary part of this story was told to me a few years later. Apparently as my parents were trying to get to the security office in the mall to claim me, there were 3 or 4 additional adults that were also trying to claim me as their lost child. One woman was even calling out my name as the security officers mistakenly broadcasted it throughout the mall in the hopes that it would assist my parents in finding me faster. I can only imagine the anxiety and fear that my parents had during this ordeal.

In Cub Scouts we are taught at an early age to use the buddy system. And if you are ever lost, to STOP. Which stands for Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan. As a Cub Scout I was also told to hug a tree and start blowing your whistle that you should have in your essentials bag. As a Scout, we continue to use the buddy system. While hiking it is recommended that scouts hike in buddy groups of at least 4. In the event that one of the members becomes injured and needs help. Two of the members can go run for help together as the other member stays with the injured member. In this scenario, all four have greatly reduced their chances of becoming lost as they are with their buddy.

Sometimes we lose our way. And sometimes we are not just physically lost, but also emotionally. One thing to always remember is that if you are emotionally lost, you are never truly alone. Someone is always thinking about you and cares about you. Those individuals, or emotional buddies, could be family members, friends, neighbors, leaders, and teachers. If you do feel lost, sound off your whistle for help, don’t bottle it up.

Let us all continue to do our best to be buddies for each other as we do our good turn daily, along with helping each other at all times and being kind to each other.

2022-09 Trustworthy Steeplejacks

Two steeplejacks in England named Lewis and Jenkins, were mending a weather vane on a high steeple, 180 feet above the ground. To anchor the vane, melted lead had to be poured into its socket.

The scaffolding from which the men were working was not high enough to reach the socket, so Lewis climbed up on Jenkins’ shoulders. As he stood there, pouring the molten lead, a sudden gust of wind scattered a shower of the fiery liquid over Jenkins’ bare arms.

The slightest move on Jenkins' part would have sent his companion spinning to his death, 180 feet below. Jenkins set his teeth, and stood without a move until Lewis had completed the job and descended.

For the rest of his days, Jenkins had burn scars. Almost like bracelets on both arms.

Some days we are like Jenkins. We have others that rely on us to be dependable and accurate. You’ll find in the workplace that there are many people who are like Jenkins. Granted, we are not standing 180 feet in the air with a fellow employee on our shoulders pouring melted lead… but some of us may be pulling extra hours to complete a group project or to meet a deadline for a quarterly report.

Some days we are like Lewis. We have so much faith and trust in others that we will stand on their shoulders 180 feet up in the air to get the job done, because we know that they have our backs and will not let us down.

Whether you are like Lewis, or like Jenkins, both are great examples of how to live and practice the scout oath and law. Guaranteed there was a lot of Trustworthy going on as the two of them completed the job. Let us continue to do our part as we help other people while being Trustworthy, Loyal, and Brave.