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.

2022-29 Mistakes

We all make mistakes. We all say or do things that sooner or later we come to regret. Here are some things that we will never be sorry for.

• Thinking before acting

• Hearing before judging

• Forgiving your enemies

• Being candid and frank

• Helping a fallen brother or sister

• Being honest in business

• Thinking before speaking

• Being loyal to your church or synagogue

• Standing by your principles

• Stopping you ears to gossip

• Bridling a slanderous tongue

• Harboring only pure thoughts

• Sympathizing with the afflicted

• Being courteous and kind to all

- Author Unknown

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.

2022-12 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.

2022-05 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.

2021-12 Madness Of March

This time of year marks one of my favorite yearly events where 64 of the best college basketball teams match up to participate in the “big dance” known as March Madness. The excitement when your team is selected to be included in the bracket is awesome. When your team loses in the first round… well, that’s a different story. There is so much  emotion involved with players and fans as their hard work culminates to the sound of the buzzer that eventually marks either the end of the road or that your ticket has been punched to the next round. Eventually 64 teams will be narrowed down to 32, then the sweet 16, the elite 8, to the final 4, and finally the championship game where only 1 team will be the final winner.

As these games are played out live on national television and media streams, one thing I always notice is if the players and teams are playing with good sportsmanship.  Eventually you will see an incident where opposing players will get up in each other's faces. I always admire those players and coaches that don’t engage in the jeering from the opposing players or fans.  They simply regroup and get set for the next play. Emotions run high sometimes during sporting events. How you react shows a great deal about your character.

There can be bad sportsmanship shown from both the winning and losing teams.  Rubbing the score in your opponents face when you're winning only hurts you and your team. If you knock someone down as you're both jumping for the ball, help them up as the referees are announcing who fouled who. If you lose, pick yourself up and don’t make excuses. Be the better person. As the Cub Scout motto says, “Do Your Best”.

 A few points of the Scout Law that help us remember to be a good sport could include; Trustworthy, Helpful, Courteous, and Kind. As you personally play sports, be it Basketball, Football, Track, Softball, Baseball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Cheer, Volleyball, and so on. Do your best to be a good sportsman in any event or game you participate in.  

2021-11 Circle Up

Today is the fourteenth day of March, which means its Pi Day! When doing a simple Google search, or by pushing the Pi button on your calculator, one will discover that the result is 3.141592654. Pi, one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.  For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across. What’s interesting about this calculation is that it continues on to infinity.  We usually stop after the 9th decimal when describing this constant due to your calculator’s display. 

One circle that we create at the end of every den, pack, patrol, and troop meeting in our unit is a closing circle.  This tradition dates back many years ago with other packs and troops. The Living Circle  was usually held at the end of den and pack meetings.  Cub scouts would form a circle, give a thumbs up with their left hand, and grab the thumb of their neighbor. While pumping their left arms up and down they would chant,”Ah-h-kay-y-la! We-e-e'll do-o-o ou-u-r best!". At the word “best” all would snap into the Cub Scout salute.  There are many different variations of this ceremony. Within the troop, there are also circle up ceremonies with multiple variants.  One that comes to mind is the Circle Count Off.  This is where the troop circles up and each scout counts off their number individually clockwise. As the scout says their number, they place their left hand on the left shoulder of the scout to their left. When all have counted, everyone makes the scout sign and recites either the Scout Law or Scout Oath. 

In our unit, pre covid, we form a circle, fold our arms right over left, and clasp hands with the person next to you on each side. We then sing a closing song, usually Scout Vespers or Paddles. After which we will have a scoutmaster’s minute.

When we create the closing circle, all are included. Parents, Scouts, Leaders, siblings, and anyone else who is in attendance. We, as scouts, have a comradery with each other. We include each other in all that we do, always. Since we are “kind” scouts, we also include those around us. Tonight as you stand hand in hand with your fellow scouts in the circle, look around at everyone. We are all brothers and sisters of this troop. We help each other at all times. We look out for each other, and not just because you were assigned to each other as buddies during the last camp out. You are a part of the circle of scouting, and just like the mathematical constant Pi, that keeps going on and on for infinity, the experiences and lessons learned as a scout will stay with you forever.

2020-22 Don't Be A Crab

It’s interesting how crabs think and work. When catching crabs, you can place them in a bucket about 12-18 inches deep and if the crab is in there by itself, will easily reach up over the lip of the can and climb out. But an interesting thing happens when you have 2 or more crabs in the same bucket. As the first crab reaches up to pull itself out, the other crabs reach up to pull the other crab back into the bucket. They will each take turns trying to climb out while the other crabs spend their time pulling the crab that is having success back down into the bucket. Are you a crab?

In our troop we have a policy of “No Cut-downs”. Simply meaning that there will be no name calling or poking fun of between troop and patrol members. Each one of us, in our own way, is trying to do our best to reach up and get out of our own bucket. When the time comes for you to reach for the stars, don’t let the envy, resentment, or competitive feelings that will be thrown at you by other people bring you down. For some odd reason there are those out in this world that want to see you fail. Rise up to the occasion and keep the self-confidence that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. As the Cub Scout motto says, Do Your Best.