Please Allow me to Introduce…..Myself

Would you look at that? A few weeks into 2024 and I’m writing again. Maybe this is now a habit?

It occurs to me that some of you might be new here, or maybe it’s been awhile. Either way, I probably didn’t do a formal introduction of who I am and what this site is all about.

• I am father of two.

• I have been a husband for the last 16 plus years.

• I am an Eagle Scout and actively involved in Scouting with a few different roles.

• I ran a 50K a few years ago (for fun) but I still don’t consider myself a runner.

• I am a photographer.

• I am someone who loves the outdoors.

So let’s break it all down. Born and raised and in Kansas City, moved to Dallas in 2016. My wife and I have two kids (boy and girl) and a house full of animals. I am a dog person at heart, but the cats in the house are ok. I am Eagle Scout and as of late, have gotten involved once again. I have been back in it since my son was in Kindergarten. I started as a Den Leader, now I have moved up to Cubmaster. I have also helped lead a few Adult Leader Trainings as well as have taken a few myself. (check out the previous posts for more information).I have fun a few half and full marathons, as well as a 50K. I continue to play soccer as often as I can, so I’m in decent enough shape, but I’m not truly a runner. Between photographing my kids’ activities, just being a dad and a husband, being a Scout, and holding down a regular full time job (not photography) I stay pretty busy. Maybe I’m too busy, but you will never find me without something going on.

Hiking, camping, playing soccer, taking photos, it doesn’t matter. I am happy when I’m outside. I’ve been to several state parks, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, the Smokey Mountains. It doesn’t matter. As long as I’m outside, I’m happy. I can always find something new, something overlooked.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein

That’s probably the best way to describe my photography. It’s outdoors. It’s the beautiful landscapes, the hustle and bustle of the city, but it’s also the details. It’s the little things. The things you miss if you don’t slow down.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” — Ferris (Matthew Broderick)

Inspiring Others

This is going to sound like a copy of a post several months ago. (Leading and Learning) It is, but it isn’t.

Being an adult in Scouting can sometimes be WAY more challenging than being a youth in Scouting. As an adult, we know so many things already. We know what skills we have (or don’t have). We know what it feels like to be embarrassed or self conscious about trying new things. We know what it feels like to be judged. Don’t get me wrong, the youth have all of these same feelings too, but somehow they don’t let them hold them back the way adults do. For as outgoing and extroverted as I am, I hate being the “expert” or the one in charge. I really don’t like having everyone look at me as the authority. I’m the same as you, I just happen to be on the other side.

I was reminded of this again a few weeks again at a BALOO training that I was once again Course Director for. This course was about the same size as the last one, but had so many different challenges. (Ask my staff, I was a little frazzled as we got closer to training weekend). As always, the staff and I rallied and put on a great training session for the adults.

How do I know it was great? Not only from the surveys, but from an email I got from one of the participants. With their permission, I have taken a few key remarks from them:

“Your willingness to accommodate her with her social anxiety went a long way…This was her 1st training with Scouts. She had a great time…Another positive note is she is looking forward to IOLS next fall. Again everytime someone asks her how was it she says it was great!!” — anonymous

That right there. That is why we do what we do. If our staff and the other participants could make her feel this welcome, included, and engaged, think about what she kind of influence she is going to have on the youth in her unit. (Note that IOLS is a similar training at the troop level, a step up from what she did with us) Not only did she have a great time, but she is ready for more.

It’s been said before but I think it needs to be repeated: “We are all here because we have the same heart.” That’s it. Couldn’t say it better. All we (the leaders) do in Scouting is for the youth. If we help adults along the way, that is just an extra bonus.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy

I certainly think that with feedback like that, we are embodying the Scouting spirit and truly living by it. Continue to change lives.