I want to start this month’s article by sharing with you that this month, I am only sharing how my brain works, I am not saying that I think everybody else should think the way I do. As a matter of fact, my wife would definitely say that the fewer people that think the way I do, the better. What I am writing about is just the way my brain functions.
I have a dilemma.
This coming weekend is Tsisqan Lodge’s Service Weekend. It goes from Friday until Sunday. Do I need to be there? No. Will I be there? Probably. I usually attend Lodge functions, if at all possible, for at least a portion of the time. So, you are probably asking, what is the dilemma? Here is my dilemma. On Saturday, the day I am planning to go out to camp for the event, is also my wedding anniversary.
I know that many of you would say that there shouldn’t be a dilemma. That I should spend it with my wife. However, I feel it is important to support Oregon Trail Council volunteers as much as I can, and as often as I can. To do so, I need to make appearances at certain events and activities. Many times, these end up happening when most people would consider it to be “out of regular work hours”. That means that so much of what we do happens during the evenings and weekends.
Now, let me explain why I will probably go out for a portion of the weekend. 1.) I have a very understanding wife. I have been married to Jane for 23 years now. She knows me and understands when I say I will be home by 8:00 PM, not to worry until after 10:00 or 10:30 PM. She also understands that at this point in my life, I am probably not going to change my ways. 2.) I can go out in the morning and be home in the late afternoon and spend the evening with my wife. 3.) While I love my wife, I also love Scouting. Being at as many Scouting events as I can is just in my DNA at this point in my life. 4.) I have a flexible schedule. If I need time off during the week for something of a personal nature, I can schedule it into my calendar. 5.) I have fun at Scouting events.
I guess what I am saying is that my wife and my marriage are very important to me. Scouting is also very important to me. So, there are times where I may need to schedule both of them into my calendar during the same week or same day. Then I need to give priority to whichever I happen to be with at that time. I think it can be done. A former boss of mine once cautioned me by saying “Scott, you can’t do it all”. Personally, I took that as a challenge to prove him wrong.
So, once again, I am throwing out a challenge. That challenge is to take time and devote that quality time to the things that really matter in your life. I try. However, I know I can do better. I wish I had learned this earlier. My children would have benefitted from it if I had.
As always, you all have my appreciation for what you do in Scouting! Thank you for taking the time to read this article! And, again, thank you so much for your time, energy, and dedication to Scouting!
Yours in Scouting,
