theGinsue
01-13-2011, 16:11
This morning I had a bit of a flashback to my youth. I recalled being a Boy Scout and reciting the Scout Oath at every meeting and event.
This thought callenged me to recall and recite the Oath; which, after 31 years since leaving Scouting, I still remembered.
As I recited the Oath to myself, I got to thinking of the meaning of each of the elements of the Oath. I have included the Oath below, broken down into it's elements with the explanation of each of those elements copied from the US Scouts (BSA) web site.
While their element descriptions aren't identical to mine, they depict the same essential meaning. I have included my additional thoughts on each item in red text.
You may be asking yourself "So? Who cares?"
The point of this post/thread is that I wondered how much better off we as a nation and a world would be if everyone lived by these values. What if we actually took responsibility for our actions and helped others as we used to do (so long ago)?
Just something to consider.
On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
Your honor; your word; a verbal contract. Making a declaration and expecting to be held accountable to/for it.
---------------------------------
. . . I will do my best . . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own high standards and don't be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
You owe this much to yourself. To do anything less is to cheat yourself and those around you.
---------------------------------
. . . To do my duty to God . . .
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
This reflects my beliefs but perhaps not yours so I won't press this topic.
---------------------------------
. . . and my country . . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your country. Natural resources are another important part of America's heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use wisely. What you do can make a real difference.
Serve your country to give something back and improve on what you have. You can do this as either a law abiding citizen or as a public servant (servant - as in to serve the public, not lord over it).
---------------------------------
. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
I've included this below for your reference. These are all very good ideals, goals, and values we should all live by.
---------------------------------
. . . To help other people at all times; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
From the simple act of holding open a door for someone to serving at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen or collecting needed items for the less privledged each one of us can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
---------------------------------
. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your health.
Okay, I fail miserably at this one, but don't we owe this to ourselves for improved health and longevity?
---------------------------------
. . . mentally awake, . . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your role in it.
Too many of us walk through life in a numb trance while allowing others to do the thinking and decision-making for us.
---------------------------------
. . . and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
I can't say it better than it's stated above.
---------------------------------
Scout Law
A Scout is:
•Trustworthy,
•Loyal,
•Helpful,
•Friendly,
•Courteous,
•Kind,
•Obedient,
•Cheerful,
•Thrifty,
•Brave,
•Clean,
•and Reverent.
---------------------------------
Discussion?
This thought callenged me to recall and recite the Oath; which, after 31 years since leaving Scouting, I still remembered.
As I recited the Oath to myself, I got to thinking of the meaning of each of the elements of the Oath. I have included the Oath below, broken down into it's elements with the explanation of each of those elements copied from the US Scouts (BSA) web site.
While their element descriptions aren't identical to mine, they depict the same essential meaning. I have included my additional thoughts on each item in red text.
You may be asking yourself "So? Who cares?"
The point of this post/thread is that I wondered how much better off we as a nation and a world would be if everyone lived by these values. What if we actually took responsibility for our actions and helped others as we used to do (so long ago)?
Just something to consider.
On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
Your honor; your word; a verbal contract. Making a declaration and expecting to be held accountable to/for it.
---------------------------------
. . . I will do my best . . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own high standards and don't be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
You owe this much to yourself. To do anything less is to cheat yourself and those around you.
---------------------------------
. . . To do my duty to God . . .
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
This reflects my beliefs but perhaps not yours so I won't press this topic.
---------------------------------
. . . and my country . . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your country. Natural resources are another important part of America's heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use wisely. What you do can make a real difference.
Serve your country to give something back and improve on what you have. You can do this as either a law abiding citizen or as a public servant (servant - as in to serve the public, not lord over it).
---------------------------------
. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
I've included this below for your reference. These are all very good ideals, goals, and values we should all live by.
---------------------------------
. . . To help other people at all times; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
From the simple act of holding open a door for someone to serving at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen or collecting needed items for the less privledged each one of us can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
---------------------------------
. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your health.
Okay, I fail miserably at this one, but don't we owe this to ourselves for improved health and longevity?
---------------------------------
. . . mentally awake, . . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your role in it.
Too many of us walk through life in a numb trance while allowing others to do the thinking and decision-making for us.
---------------------------------
. . . and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
I can't say it better than it's stated above.
---------------------------------
Scout Law
A Scout is:
•Trustworthy,
•Loyal,
•Helpful,
•Friendly,
•Courteous,
•Kind,
•Obedient,
•Cheerful,
•Thrifty,
•Brave,
•Clean,
•and Reverent.
---------------------------------
Discussion?