My time at Camp Shenandoah was filled with many occurrences that highlighted the value and importance of Scouting. This was once again kicked off by the opening meeting of Scoutmasters where I asked for those willing to come and speak to my citizenship merit badge classes; especially those that were Eagle Scouts. One such volunteer agreed and came to speak with the class about his owning an auto repair shop.

When he spoke to the class he talked about how it was his dream to own a shop like that one day and how his experiences in Scouting prepared him for this. The Scouts all asked lots of questions about his business and his experiences while the adults all had to remain in the back, as I insisted. One of the adults paced around during this session and seemed rather irritated.

After that class, he approached me. He told me that the speaker was inappropriate and had nothing to do with the merit badge. I replied that this Scouter was discussing his American Dream. That his owning the shop was as important of a duty and obligation as a citizen as other jobs. As the angry adult admitted, “of course” he drove his car to camp to get there.

Everyone has a part to play, and this man’s dream was to own his auto shop. The importance of your role in society is not based on the perceived prestige others may hold for it.

“One who is free from malice toward others, who is free from pride, who is free from desire, and who is content with what one has, such a person is dear to Me.” (Bhagavad Gita 12:13-14)

“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets; and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.” (Quran 2:177)

“May all beings be happy; may all beings be without disease. May all beings experience the sensation of auspiciousness. May nobody suffer in any way.” (Dhammapada 223)

“Is it not a pleasure, having learned something, to try it out at due intervals? Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar? Is it not gentlemanly not to take offense when others fail to appreciate your abilities?” (Analects 1:2)