Pioneer District Roundtable

Scoutmaster Minute

March 6, 2001

"Rules to Live By"

(Hold up a one foot ruler.)

This is a ruler, sometimes called a rule.

A rule is a standard against which we measure other things, in this case, length.

We have other kinds of rules in our society too, rules for behavior: don't run in the hallways, cross at the intersection, don't drive over the speed limit. These are all important rules that we as the citizens that make up this country have agreed to through our elected officials to help our society run more smoothly. Can anyone think of any others?

(Call on the Scouts as they raise their hand.)

There is one rule that I think is more important than all the others. That is the Golden Rule. For those of us who are Christians, Jesus said: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you are a Jew, Rabbi Asher wrote something very similar in the Talmud. In fact, virtually every major religion in the world teaches something very similar as a major tenant of their beliefs. Even among the American Indians, it was common to say, "Do not judge others until you have walked a long distance in their moccasins," which European Americans modified to: "Don't judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes."

I'm going to suggest a slightly different version: Rather than "Treat others the way you would like to be treated," treat others the way they would like to be treated."

You see, we are not all the same. We each have different wants and different needs. What works for me may not work for you.

It's a subtle difference, but usually not that hard to accomplish. It does mean being sensitive to others' needs, which means taking the time to get to know one another a little better, and then acting accordingly.

It may take just a little more effort, but give it a try. You can make a difference.

Thank you, and may God be with you.