مركز مصدرِ

I recently had the opportunity to attend the National Congress of the Brazilian Scouts Union (BSU) in the City of San Luis.

It was a great experience in many ways. I was able to get up close to one of the largest National Scout Organizations of our Interamerican Region. I was present at the seminar that presented the new Youth Program materials that Escoteiros do Brazil fully developed, using, as a basis, the regional proposal. I also attended seminars for the Lobihno Branch (Cub) and the Pioneiro Branch (Rovers), where Alessandro Garcia, National Commissioner of Educational Methods, assisted by members of his team, introduced new materials, explaining the way they were developed and how they should be implemented in Scout groups.

I was also present at the presentation of new materials for the Management of Adults, where it was explained in detail how to work with them and the advantages of doing so in accordance with the provisions.

The beautiful Panama City, again, became the heart of the Interamerican Region to host the VIII Interamerican Scout Summit 2012. The hot sun, the sea breeze, and, especially, the Scout brotherhood were the ingredients that made this Summit a Scout success.

A great effort was developed to prepare the Summit. This is because the new executive team of the World Scout Bureau, Interamerican Region, arrived in Panama earlier this year, with only a few weeks to prepare their presentations and get incorporated in the preparation work of the Summit.

Since the completion of the 24th Interamerican Scout Conference in August 2010, the top leaders of the National Scout Organizations of the continent did not have the chance to meet again. Their return to Panama allowed them to experience the Regional Office, now fully completed and working, and to meet the new team and their action plans.

A few weeks ago I found in a book by Brian Tracy a formula that powerfully attracted my attention. This formula is the the Individual Human Perfomance (IHP)
I H P = [inborn attributes + acquired attributes] x Attitude

What this equation tells us is that our performance is the result of the sum of those qualities and skills with which we were born as good humor, curiosity or charisma; and those that we are going through our lives. Here we can enlist some such as leadership, teamwork and discipline. However the sum of both attributes is not enough to have a good performance, which multiplies this sum is our attitude.

The word “responsibility” refers to the capacity (ability) to respond. We should be sufficiently competent to respond whether at work, in our studies, or at home to undertake our allotted tasks.

If we are slow to respond or we are not fully able to reply to a request, we will be accused of being incompetent. On the other hand, if we define our priorities and focus on responding as soon as possible, our competence is evident and we will be considered responsible.

Every task demands responsibility to the extent of our capability. Then, opportunities will increase and greater trust will be placed on us to undertake new and bigger responsibilities.

The first World Scout Jamboree took place at Olympia in London, England in 1920. This event marked the beginning of a great tradition which, thanks to the enthusiasm and excitement of thousands of Scouts, has continued ever since.

Jamborees have been held in every corner of the planet, successfully uniting in one place and at the same time Scoutswhootherwisewouldneverhaveknowneachother. Jamboreesarethegreatestandbestexpressionfor world peace. Each day of a Jamboree shows participants and the world how exchanges, understanding, tolerance and humanity are possible.

The 22nd.World Scout Jamboree took place in Rinkaby in Sweden. More tan 40,000 attended this great occasion. The organizers concentrated in providing a full program of activities under the Jamboree slogan “Simply Scouting.” There were plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, with each display area providing something new and enabling everyone to be kept busy.

It would be difficult to consider that life is only made up of good times. More realistically, life consists of daily ups and downs. Sometimes these are just passing difficulties but it is common that some worry will take over our whole being causing great stress. This situation can be made worse by physical illness resulting in desperation, anguish and a loss of interest in life.

We must face our difficulties with a cheerful disposition trusting God and, remembering in the midst of difficulties, that life is wonderful and full of marvelous moments.

Since then the development of responsibility is a fundamental element of the program of Scouting. Many activities carried out contribute in turning children and young scouts responsibles of their own growth ,first, and then responsibles to their community, their country, their world. We could not expect anyone seeking to reach the greatness without paying the price of responsibility. Assume responsibility and fully comply with them is the greatest achievement for women and the men who wants and aims to be a full life.

Constant association with nature should not allow us to forget the rest of the world. The mountains, valleys, oceans, deserts, caves, trees, flowers, birds, animals and insects…everything has been put on this earth for our wonder and enjoyment. It is in nature that we see the grandeur of His creation and the extent of His abiding love. Confronted with this, we cannot be indifferent or abandon our commitment to preserve it for the benefit of all.

For this reason, faced with a world of poor awareness, we more than ever must give the matter importance. Let us get to work and at every moment of our lives help in building a better world. Our best effort must be to protect nature without forgetting that it also includes our fellow human beings.

To create a better world is not easy (no one has ever said so) but it is worth the effort to succeed. If we try daily to be agreeable with others we will learn that others will consider you a lovely person in the original meaning of the word. i.e. that you are worthy of love.

Nevertheless, it is important to be polite without expecting anything in return knowing simply everybody needs to be treated with respect.
Be prepared to serve

I would have to say that of all the values that are most important, the source of all the others, is love. Love is much more than a feeling. If it were, love would be very unstable and could not move the human spirit to make wonderful and transcendent things. Love is not only an act of the heart, it is an act of the mind, requires reason, and can exist only with commitment.

Being a brother to every Scout requires a great commitment and to understand that this is also an act of love. We call them brothers because they are more than friends, because they share our ideals, and our desire to Creating a Better World. Let us resolve today to begin to learn to love, unconditionally, and give much, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, until it hurts