Unspeakable

A lot of times I sit down to write this weekly post and the content just kind of flows.  I have a general idea what I'm going to discuss and then I get a little inspired and the rest just kind of happens.  This week I feel compelled to cover the unspeakable events from last week in Newtown, Connecticut, although I have never sat down to write a post with less of an idea what to say than I am today.

I am also asking myself why write about this?  What value is there in discussing a deeply emotional and personal matter?  How does it apply to my business associates, customers and contemporaries within and outside my industry?  The answer is, at least at this moment, I have no idea.  Maybe it's just therapy for me to express my shock and horror.  I hope reading these words provide some ideas or maybe a little therapy for you.

I am the father of three teenage kids.  I cannot imagine ever having to go through a similar tragedy with one of my kids.  Unfortunately, I know many that have and I think that is one of those situations that you just don't know how to deal with it until you live through it.  The human spirit is an amazing thing.  Like any other parent and like some teachers and administrators did last week, I would sacrifice my life for any one of my kids without a second thought.  It's human nature.  We look out for those who cannot look out for themselves.  Especially those we love.

There is a hard question that we need to know the answer to.  The frustrating part is in a situation like this the question of WHY? doesn't have an answer.  News and Social Media try to dig and find clues in to the lifestyles and personalities of assailants in these situations to see if we can form clues as to what could lead them to such heinous conclusions.  The more we find out, the less sense it makes.  And the angrier we get because someone has to get the blame. 

Politicians, talking heads and people at the water color will now debate how to prevent these types of tragedies in the future.  As our president deftly pointed out in his emotional address to the country, we have had to deal with far too many of these types of tragedies is recent years.  All of us our interested in being part of the solution and many of us have or will weigh in on our stance regarding some of the issues that must be addressed such as gun control.

I have no interest in taking up such debate here.  My interest is much more foundational and based upon principles that have been around as long as man has inhabited the earth.  We have to reach out to others - especially those who are hurting - and show them we care.  It's not easy.  It's not convenient.  It's not comfortable.  It is paramount to helping not only those who are hurting but also to stop hurting others who are helpless. 

These issues could be discussed for far longer and in far more detail than I can go in to in a few short paragraphs.  I really don't know how to begin or end this topic.  There are many more questions than answers.  Arguments than resolutions.  Problems than solutions.

I do know that as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and a New Year that we must aspire to be better to each other for the benefit of our schools, our states and our country.  It's simplistic and perhaps a bit trite but to get back to basics I think Lennon and McCartney had it right:
                                                                       All you need is love
                                                                       Love is all you need 
And as Old Ebeneezer said when realizing the error of his ways: God Bless us all!
                                                            

The first Personal Mission Statement

Last week I discussed the Scout Law.  Certainly a list of ideals that we wish every American would follow more judiciously.  Our country would be a much better place to live if we all did.  To wit and in review: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty, Cheerful, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Characteristics we could all stand to develop in the New Year.

This week, let's focus on the Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.  I challenge you to find a better personal mission statement that has more compelling desired outcomes than that one in only a couple of sentences. 

As I said last week, despite the negativity that has surrounded the BSA in the press the last several months I am a weekly participant in a Boy Scout troop as the parent of a Scout, a Merit Badge counselor and a camp out assistant.  My point is I have a bird's eye view of what it means to be a Boy Scout.  My only regret is I wish I would have participated when I was a teenager. 

For example, this fall I taught a merit badge class to a group of primarily 12 and 13 year old boys.  The class was on personal management.  I guided boys through topics and exercises on setting budgets, investing money, borrowing money and time management.  Man, I wish I would have had someone spend time with me learning all that these boys learned when I was their age.  As I told them weekly, they are life skills that they can use even when they get to be an old guy like me. 

It's about that time of year when we all take stock of our accomplishments over the past year.  Then we turn our attention to those things we wish to tackle in the New Year.  I have a list of things this year that is ambitious, inspiring and makes me a little uncomfortable - on purpose.  I know that even if I only accomplish a portion of what I intend to do that 2013 will be a great year.  I can't wait to get started.

Before I do, though I want to take time to work the Scout Oath in to my consciousness so that while I am attempting to do all that I have set out to do that I do it in a way that feels right.  Let's see, on my honor, do my best, my God, my Country, obey 12 tenants of Scout Law, help other people, physically strong, mentally awake, morally straight.  Yep, that should do just fine.

Last year the Boy Scouts celebrated their 100th anniversary.  I may not be the smartest guy to ever go to a Boy Scout meeting but even I can figure out that things of value always last.  Times have changed and our culture presents both tremendous opportunities and challenges, even for organizations like the BSA.  Their message has never changed.  And it is just as relevant for all of us today and every day in the New Year as it was 100 years ago.  Happy Scouting!

I wish I was a Boy Scout

I have a teenage son who has spent the last three years in the Boy Scout program.  This program has not gotten much press lately that isn't bad.  Frankly, I think that's a shame.  I had no affinity for Scouts before 2009.  Never spent a day in my life doing it.  If not for the urging of my wife (like most of the good decisions in my life) I would have never gotten myself or my son involved.  Now I am more enthusiastic about it than my son is.  I go on camp outs, I teach merit badge classes, I volunteer whenever and however I can.  I can't get enough.

One of my passions in life is teaching and leading young men to learn life skills.  I have found my sweet spot with the Boy Scouts.  I also teach a group of 7th grade boys in a Sunday School class at church every week.  There are striking similarities between the two.  Most of all I love learning from them and being able to share with them the few small nuggets of wisdom I might have learned over the years.  Mostly earned by my own stupidity, I might add.  The phrase "do as I say, not as I do" comes to mind. 

I want to spend the next two weeks digesting two of the pillars of the Scouting program.  The Scout Law this week and the Scout oath next week.  I think there are life, business, personal and who knows what other areas of our lives that could benefit from reading and studying these "mission statements."

A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty, Cheerful, Brave, Clean and Reverent. 

I was tempted to take each characteristic and spent a week on it but thought I lose people somewhere between courteous and kind.  Even if you just take each characteristic at face value it's not a bad way to live your life.  Instead of spending the next several weeks reading my deeper thoughts about each one I would challenge you to reflect upon these one by one and ask yourself how they apply to you personally, professionally and ideologically.  I am convinced there is some gold to be mined here.

How much would your personal relationships improve from working on being courteous, kind and cheerful?  Wouldn't your customers and stakeholders be more inclined to think of you more positively (and give you more business) if you were trustworthy, helpful and thrifty?  Wouldn't you like to be known as a person who is loyal, brave and reverent.

I think you get the picture.  I think the Scouts have gotten it for a long time.  These characteristics and values don't change with the economy, the political parties or the latest technology.  Tried and true these values make us all a better nation.  God bless the USA and God bless the BSA.