CHARACTER - THOUGHTS OF AN EAGLE SCOUT

In my life there is one accomplishment or one award that I hold more dear than anything else.  But let's be honest, I've never been competitive nor am I infused with the over-achiever chromosome.  My competitive friends have at times lost there minds at my casual uncaring when playing games.  As such I have no great awards, only a few trophies and those are ones given out as an entire team award.  On a cruise ship once I did win a "Classic Rock Trivia" competition.  I think everyone else was drunk.  Someone shouted "Freebird!!!"

I do find pride in my education and in my work experience, well at least most of my work experience.  But the achievement which gives me the most pride and satisfaction was my earning the Eagle Scout Award.  Typically people will say "I WAS a Boy Scout" but those of us who have earned it say "I AM an Eagle Scout" because it's an achievement that doesn't age. And although I am proud of being an Eagle Scout it still surprises me how revered that award seems to be to some other people.

In every job interview I've ever had, the person questioning me will look over my work and educational history glossy eyed, as if it's exactly what they expected and they've seen the same answers over and over to the point of wanting to poke their eye out.  Yet, at some point they always pause, look up at me with an intrigued expression and say "you're an Eagle Scout?"  Usually the topic of employment changes and the interviewer becomes fascinated with what it takes to become an Eagle Scout, as if I had to slay a dragon, cure a disease or balance the national debt.

All that goes into one becoming an Eagle Scout ingrains within us certain ideals that make up who we are in later life. Certain standards are set, reinforced, repeated and we who agree to this path are held accountable for keeping to those standards.  Most notably we are required to live by what is called THE SCOUT LAW  A set of character traits that should define not only us, but hopefully rub off on those with whom we come into contact.

The 12 Points of the Scout Law are:

A Scout is....

• Trustworthy
• Loyal 
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave 
• Clean
• Reverent

These define the character of an Eagle Scout.  I'm writing several blogs based on these "laws" and how in my life I've followed them or screwed them up.  Perhaps my thoughts will awaken something within the three of you who read this.  Hopefully this one award I worked to achieve will speak to you in some manner.  Which ones would you most like my take on?  (FB me)

As I said, I'm not really a competitive person.  I played baseball.  Got hit in the head by a pitcher's rogue pitch.  I quit the next day.  Perseverance doesn't seem to be addressed in the Scout Law.

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