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Scouting

On February 15, 2012 · In Featured, Live in the NOW

Boy Scouts of America

As a former Cub Master (Cub Scouts) I have had the privilege of playing a small role in helping young boys experience the joys of Scouting. And, as a current Assist. Scoutmaster (Boy Scouts) the joy continues for me in helping see these boys turn into young men as their scouting experience continues.

Scouting offers many learning opportunities for all involved. The young men get opportunities to hold leadership positions and work to achieve various personal and troop goals. Scouting founder, Lord Baden Powell described scouting as a game with a purpose. Some of the hardest challenges we have as adults in scouting is to keep our hands in our pockets and allow the scouts to experience and run their own program. One of the first lessons an adult leaders learns is that an adult would make a great scout, but it is the you scout that is in charge.

Scouting is an outdoor program. It is an outdoor program for a reason. All indoor activities are typically planning and organizational meetings geared toward what will happen outdoors at campouts, for example. It is in the outdoors that young men get a chance to experience our world. If you are lucky enough to live near forest land then the scout gets to see wildlife upfront and personal.

I must admit that scouting has given me as a parent some of the best times with my younger son. To see him experience his world and to allow me to see the world through his eyes is one of my great pleasures. As adults, we can get bogged down with adult worries and time-pressures. There is nothing better than getting away with a group of great scouts and adult leaders on a camping trip that includes fishing, hiking, and campfires. Whether it is trapping a lizard, watching a bald eagle glide across the sky, or telling campfire stories, these opportunities allow everyone involved to get to know themselves and the world around them just a little bit more.

I really better understood the idea of living in the moment through scouting. I began to realize how life became richer during these moments. I began to realize that I had a choice in these moments, also. I could allow the stresses of life weigh me down and therefore cheapen or shorten the moment for me or I could allow the moment to unfold and simply enjoy it. Even the times when sitting around the campfire when all the adults are trying to show off how much they know about the stars and what constellation is where. In the middle of it all a great big shooting star zips by and all of a sudden you feel very small in a great big universe. You smell the campfire smoke, maybe finish off the last of the Smore’s and turn in for a good night sleep while the crickets sing their songs.

I mentions Boy Scouts only because I have been involved for so many years. However, I hope you extend these thoughts out to both Boy and Girl scouting as parents. Mind your priorities. Get involved. And, get scouting. You will not regret it.

A side note to parents. Each scout troop is sponsored by a Charter Member. That means that each troop can be run differently. If you visit one troop and do not like how it is run, find another. There are many. If you can’t find one close to you that you like, start one. Our troop has over 35 scouts in it and it was started by one women with two young men that she wanted to experience scouting. We now revere her as our founding member and the troop is a thriving entity with its own Cub Scout Pack to help support its growth. Each troop is run by an adult committee. It is the committee that supports what the boys want their troop program to look like. So, get on the committee and make a difference. Enjoy life with your scout. LIVE IN THE NOW.

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Living In The Moment

On February 13, 2012 · In Be Extraordinary, Featured

Living in the moment.

In our very busy lives, it is easy to forget things. An important idea we should NOT forget is how to live in the moment. Another way to say it is to “be present” with those around us.

You know the type. Chances are you’ve done it yourself. You have a million things on your mind. You have so much to plan for… so much going on that you don’t want to “drop the ball” on any of it. Sometimes we even get stressed out about how stressed we are… and what happens? We can be right in front of someone in our family who is expressing themselves to us (could be about something great that happened in the day or even something they need help with) and we don’t even hear them. We give them the a huh. It isn’t until they are looking at you waiting for an answer that you realize you weren’t really listening.

This is not only lost time with your family, it undermines your relationship with them regardless of who it is… Between parents or between parent and child(ten) or between siblings. Doesn’t matter, it is the same result.

Now look at if from a different perspective. What if you made a consorted effort to always be present when a family member is speaking with you? It is ok to ask them to wait a minute while you finish something so that you can give them 100% of your attention. Im sure they would prefer it, actually. They will learn your process that if they wait just a minute they will get your undivided attention. And, what great value that is.

You will find that your relationships will deepen and you will experience more of life. Less will be lost to worry, for example. If you have to, get yourself a good calendar system to make sure you don’t drop the ball on any of your activities. Schedule time to plan your day… more importantly, plan on being “present” for your family. Live in the NOW and enjoy every moment. We only have a finite number of them.

Add-A-Shape

On February 13, 2012 · In Featured, ToDo

Add-A-Shape

One of my most favorite games I played when I was young was add-a-shape.

Both my parents were art educators. That means they were art professors at universities (PhD.’s). They often “tried out” different teaching concepts on us kids. In our house, it was all about allowing us to be creative and to think creatively.

I’m sure that is where add-a-shape came from. You could play it anywhere. I even remember playing while waiting in doctors offices. All you need is a blank piece of paper, a pen/pencil and your imagination. One person started by drawing a short shape using one continuous line. Then, it was the second persons turn to add to this shape by drawing what ever they wanted. It would be connected to the first line and would add to it. The game proceeded back and forth until something magical happened and the shape turned into something.

It was fun to play and fun to see what came about as the final shape. You could go as long as you like or start a new game when you wanted. It is a great way to express your imagination, play a game, and connect with a friend.

I encourage you to try it. It is a game that can be played anywhere. Have fun.