The month of December brings an end to the calendar year, overcast days and long winter nights, and the winter solstice – and with its passing we receive the promise of brighter, warmer days ahead. At this time of year, thoughts often turn to contemplation of the future – your future, Scouting’s future, humanity’s future. For your consideration, with thoughtful reverence, below are a couple excepts from Robert Baden-Powell’s (the Founder of Scouting, 1857-1941) last messages to Scouts and to Scouters to kindle your conviction and fan flame of Scouting for 2023.
“[Scouting’s] aim is to produce healthy, happy, helpful citizens, of both sexes, to eradicate the prevailing narrow self-interest, personal, political, sectarian and national, and to substitute for it a broader spirit of self-sacrifice and service in the cause of humanity; and thus to develop mutual goodwill and co-operation not only within our own country but abroad, between all countries.” – B-P
“Happiness doesn´t come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a [youth], so that you can be useful, and so can enjoy life when you are a[n adult]. Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got, and make the best of it; look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it” – B-P
You can read the full texts here: https://www.boyscouttrail.com/library/lordbadenpowell.asp. Thank you for being a Scouter and for making this world a little better. We wish you Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and we will See You in 2023!
