"Do a good deed daily!" - Boy Scout Slogan
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scout movement started in England in 1908 when Lord Robert Baden-Powell published his book titled Scouting for Boys. William Boyce, a publisher from Chicago, was visiting London when an unknown scout did a good dead for him and refused a tip. Boyce was so impressed by the boy's actions that when he returned to the United States he joined two other men in incorporating Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.
During the past century the Boy Scouts of America has been urging their members to do a good deed daily.
I was the recipient of a good deed during my first trip to Singapore with Clown Camp.® Singapore has an extensive subway system. When I was returning to our hotel after an evening off, I was studying the map of the subway system trying to decide which trains I needed to take. A teenage boy asked me where I was going. When I told him, he pointed out the route on the map which required changing trains. He got on the train with me, and made sure that I transferred to the correct train. He got off at the station nearest my hotel, and then crossed the platform to take the next train in the opposite direction. That was when I realized that he had gone out of his way to make sure I did not get lost. Other moments like that made that trip very enjoyable. I am looking forward to my scheduled return to Singapore with Clown Camp ® this summer. (You will find a link for more information on that program in the Educational Opportunity column.)
When I am in a variety show or attending a convention, and somebody like Kenny Ahern or Lee Mullally does everything they can to help the other performers I am not surprised to learn that they have been involved in the Scouting program. They continue to live the life of service taught by Scouting.
Most important of all is doing good deeds within your family. It is easy to get so caught up in doing things for other people that you don't have any energy left to do things for your family. Yet, that is where those good deeds are most valuable because of their cumulative long term effect. Frequently Carole turns to me, and asks, "What can I do for you?" I really appreciate that. The connection it causes is worth much more than big gifts on special occasions.
How can you put the concept of a daily good deed into action? What opportunities do you have for doing a good deed in your personal life? As an entertainer, what opportunities do you have for doing a good deed? What good deeds can you do for family members?
