In my last post I told how my Christmas season had begun with the high school football awards program. This busy season ended for Mary and me yesterday at one of our grandson’s Eagle Scout Court.
If you have never attended one of these celebrations, please do. This ceremony rewards the 2% of Boy Scouts who work hard enough to become Eagle Scouts. I won’t go into all that’s required to become an eagle, but I want to talk a bit about the Boy Scouts.
One of the things which has always impressed me about the scouts I know, is their positive attitude. Perhaps it’s partly explained by the Scout law which the boys recite at every meeting and in the Eagle Presentation – they call the presentation the Eagle Court. Here’s the Law:
“A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.“
This is the fourth Eagle Court I have attended; each time I wondered if boy scouts really are all these things, or are they becoming all these things by pretending? Aren’t they just rehearsing for the future?
Some might call the Scouts egotistical for confessing such virtues, thinking they are just daydreaming or lying to themselves; but professional motivators and coaches call that “visualizing success.” Visualizing success causes the brain to believe we are already successful; and this subconscious belief gives us the confidence we need to be comfortable with success. It removes the fear of failure. As we continue to visualize the future and our place in it, our brain gives us positive feedback that prepares us for victory. In short, envision the future, plan for it, execute the plan, and enjoy the success.
Good basketball coaches tell their players to stand on the free-throw line and visualize the ball rising from their hands and dropping—swish— through the net.
Jack Nicklaus, probably the world’s greatest golfer, says in his book Golf My Way that before every shot he “sees” the shot in his mind. “First, I ‘see’ the ball where I want it to finish. … Then the scene changes and I ‘see’ the ball going there: its path, trajectory, and shape, even its behavior on landing. The next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality.”
Psychologist Donald Clifton said: “Studies show that organizational leaders who share positive emotions have workgroups with a more positive mood-enhanced job satisfaction, greater engagement and improved group performance.”
Isn’t that what all employers are looking for in their employees? And don’t parents desire something similar for their “workgroup”— their kids? Parents should try to develop positive attitudes and become the parents they know their kids need. We should visualize ourselves as fulfilling the role of great parents. Then we will have the strength to make a plan to become who we want to be. It is no secret that kids’ attitudes are learned from their parents. Parents with an “I can” attitude have children who know their accomplishments can be just short of limitless.
Another thing that impresses me about the Scouts is the pledge or oath they take at every meeting including the Eagle Court:
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.
Following the Scout Law and Oath helps boys to live their motto: “Be Prepared”
Wouldn’t we have a great world if we all followed the example of the Boy Scouts?