Scouts, you have learned to rely on your compass. You know that the needle points North and will guide you in the wilderness, but you have also seen what happens when a magnet is brought near the compass. The magnet is an outside influence on the character of the compass.

Each Scout has an aim in life. He wants to grow up to be physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. The points of the Scout Law make up the magnetic field that directs the compass needle we follow. Just like the magnet, there are influences trying to change our aim.

There are temptations difficult to overcome – temptations to get by without working, to lie, to cheat, to follow the coaxing of friends, and the jeers or threats of enemies. If you are going to grow up to be physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight, you must not succumb to the attraction of the evil magnets in your life, but must be steadfast in your purpose of living up to the ideals of Scouting.

Hello again!

Tonight Mr. Mushaw talked to everyone, particularly the adults, about using their money to support Scouting.

For many of us in this room and for many people in Northern Virginia, money isn’t their most preciously commodity. Rather it is time. For parents, with so many households having two or more adults working and community, plus taking care of our minors, there is not a lot of time left in the week.

 Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. – Theophrastus. So this is not a new phenomenon, even in ancient Greece time was very precious

For scouts there is a major competition for you time with school and homework forming the essentials, and many other activities needed to round each of you out into an individual and learn the skills you need in life (there are many skills that are learned outside of school).

The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. – Stephen Covey. Why investing; because time is an investment in yourself. We all have the same 24 hours. Some of us, invest it with laser beam focus, a singleness of purpose that defies all expectations. A number of them are in Bejing this week representing their respective countries. Others of us try to be as broad in our experiences as the Chesapeake Bay. We try all that life has to offer, but not in so much depth that anyone thing defines them. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

  It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Whether a rose, a diamond, gold, or a Scout rank badge each of these is defined by commitment to expend the energy necessary to obtain them. Roses wilt, diamonds get lost, and gold gets stolen. The skills and commitment you’ve learned for you Scout ranks will always stay with you.

And with that it’s time to plan where to invest your time for the next four months. Congratulations Scouts!

There once was a village that had among its people a very wise old man. The villagers trusted this man to provide them answers to their questions and concerns.

One day, a farmer from the village went to the wise man and said in a frantic tone, “wise man, help me. A horrible thing has happened. My ox has died and I have no animal to help me plow my field! Isn’t this the worst thing that could have possibly happened?” The wise old man replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

The man hurried back to the village and reported to his neighbors that the wise man had gone mad. Surely this was the worst thing that could have happened. Why couldn’t he see this?

The very next day, however, a strong, young horse was seen near the man’s farm. Because the man had no ox to rely on, he had the idea to catch the horse to replace his ox—and he did. How joyful the farmer was. Plowing the field had never been easier.. He went back to the wise man to apologize.

“You were right, wise man. Losing my ox wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. It was a blessing in disguise! I never would have captured my new horse had that not happened. You must agree that this is the best thing that could have happened.” The wise man replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

Not again thought the farmer. Surely the wise man had gone mad now.

But, once again, the farmer did not know what was to happen. A few days later the farmer’s son was riding the horse and was thrown off. He broke his leg and would not be able to help with the crop. Oh no, thought the man. Now we will starve to death.

Once again, the farmer went to the wise man. This time he said, “How did you know that capturing my horse was not a good thing? You were right again. My son is injured and won’t be able to help with the crop. This time I’m sure that this is the worst thing that could have possibly happened. You must agree this time.”

But, just as he had done before, the wise man calmly looked at the farmer and in a compassionate tone replied once again, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

Enraged that the wise man could be so ignorant, the farmer stormed back to the village.

The next day troops arrived to take every able-bodied man to the war that had just broken out. The farmer’s son was the only young man in the village who didn’t have to go. He would live, while the others would surely die.

The moral of this story provides a powerful lesson. The truth is, we don’t know what’s going to happen—we just think we do. Often we make a big deal out of something. We blow up scenarios in our minds about all the terrible things that are going to happen. Most of the time we are wrong. If we keep our cool and stay open to possibilities, we can be reasonably certain that, eventually, all will be well.

Remember: maybe so, maybe not.

Scoutmasters Minute – Get Comfortable Not Knowing – Retired Scouter

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Well really 36 Year ago and 500 miles… ‘bout the same thing. My home town didn’t have anyone interested in doing the work to run the town. A council seat was empty, no one had run. So the council had to appoint someone to fill the empty seat. They asked my mother, who had just finished as PTO president for the elementary school. She agreed.

For her first meeting in Jan. 1986, she brought a notebook. She wanted to dutifully write down important discussions, and thing she needed to do or write about. At the meeting she was the only one. Based on that level of commitment to the work, she was elected President of Council. Did I say this was a small town?

For two years, she asked questions worked on issue that came up and was committed to the job. It really wasn’t much different than being SPL just bigger dollars and more people. When mayor of the town went unfilled, guess who got the job?

Just like a good scout, a good SPL, she started making plans with council to address the biggest need of the town, a new sewer system. Over time,  It was moving along. Like any project some were in favor and some were against. So, that’s how my mother ended up running for Mayor of the town.

Can anyone tell me what a Vector is?

Direction and Magnitude

How does adding vectors work?

What happens when vectors are not aligned?

What happens when vectors are aligned?

What does this little math lesson tell us about Scouting and life?

First lesson; having a buddy matters. Can help you to amplify your own direction. As you select friends in life, they can help amplify your own vector.

Second, stress is frequently a result of feeling that different vectors in life are pulling against each other. Some things must be done, but as you get more control of your own life, better aligning your values and efforts generally leads to less stress.

Third, a vector that has enough magnitude to last a lifetime, such as best friend or a significant other, will have a significant bearing on the direction of your life. It can amplify you or move you off your own path.

In summary, the buddy system isn’t just for restroom breaks. It’s a lifelong habit that can multiply your life.

22 Nov. 2021

A Scout is …

Of the 12 points in the Scout Law, which one is the most important?

Ask Ella and some of the Life Scouts

Why?

Which is the least important? Why?

Do we need to be perfect in all of them? Why?

Are there any we can ignore? Why?

We’re all at different steps in our journey. And I’m not talking about rank advancement. Who we are: our genetics, Character and Beliefs, Personality, Preferences, and experiences ensure that each of us is in a different place on the climb of growth for each point of the scout law. 

Trustworthy – We have to be tested in the fire, especially for this one. 

Friendly – You’ve probably noticed that I still struggle with this one. 

Reverent – Given a broad basis in youth. Challenged, meet my soulmate in church. Brother is the opposite. 

Why does this matter. We’re all Eagle Scouts, doing our best, pushing beyond our comfort zone. In this regard, there isn’t a right answer and we should value our differences and not judge ourselves against others. 

You’re a very high performing group of individuals, keep doing your best and working on the Scout Law. It’s a lifelong journey.

Scouts, what’s the second point of the Scout Law? That’s right, “A Scout is loyal. ” Our Scout handbook explains that a Scout is loyal to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school and nation.

I’m going to add one more thing to that list – a Scout is loyal to his team. The team might be his patrol or sports team.

Your patrol or soccer team can’t be as good as it should be if you goof off a lot or constantly complain about your teammates or your patrol leader or coach. A winning patrol and a winning team, must have a winning attitude. That means that every member must be willing to do his part and not spend time griping because the patrol’s plans or the game are not going his way.

That doesn’t mean that you have to be close friends with everybody in your patrol or team or even like all of them. But it means that when you join, you commit yourself to the success of the patrol or the team and pledge to give it your best effort.

In Scouting and sports, it’s teamwork that makes winners. So whenever you’re with your patrol or sports team, remember, “A Scout is loyal”.

from MacScouter, SM_Minutes.pdf (macscouter.com)