Be Somebody

Our thanks to Scott for sending us this "Scout master minute" It was written and used by the Scout Master at their last court of honor. The thought contains words of wisdom that we could all be reminded of.

Be Somebody
By James H. Murray, Jr.

We all want to be SOMEBODY, don't we? Maybe not SOMEBODY famous, but we all want to be liked and noticed for our contributions, don't we?

That is why we have things like this Court of Honor, so we can recognize the achievements of our scouts in a public forum. This is usually a good thing and a good motivator for even greater achievements.

But I want to talk about a different SOMEBODY today. That nameless SOMEBODY we look for to do something when we don't want to do it. You know that SOMEBODY. We all have relied on that SOMEBODY at one time or another. I know I have, and I have been tempted more times than I care to admit.

You know the times, like when you walk by that piece of trash on the ground. You didn't put it there. SOMEBODY else did, so SOMEBODY can pick it up later. Or when there is a need to volunteer to help on a project. We are all busy, particularly this time of year, so SOMEBODY else is going to have to step up and do it. Sometimes that is OK. SOMEBODY usually does step up and get it done, and life goes on.

What about those times when SOMEBODY turns into NOBODY? What happens then? It doesn't get done. And if NOBODY is around too much, nothing ever gets done, or it all gets done by the few SOMEBODIES are still around.

When you take CPR training, why do you think one of the first things they train you to do is pick out SOMEBODY, point to them and say "YOU call 911!!"? Because then, everyone knows who is responsible for calling 911. We don't wait around for SOMEBODY else to decide to call for help.

Here is my challenge to you. Be a SOMEBODY. The next time you see something that needs to be done, YOU step up and do it. It doesn't have to be a big thing, just something that needs to be done: holding the door open for someone, moving a shopping cart out of a parking spot so someone can park there, picking up litter, telling someone they did a good job, and on and on. It doesn't matter what it is, just be that SOMEBODY that does it this time.

You will feel better for it, and the world will be a better place because you became SOMEBODY and helped out. Being SOMEBODY just might become a habit.