One of the easiest ways to share light with others is a reflector. We use reflectors in a larger variety of safety items, from bike reflectors to reflectors around the lights of cars, to the reflective material used in clothing to make a person more visible to others. Reflectors are passive light systems; they do not necessarily generate their own light, but they enhance the light from other sources. They take the light we emit and they share it back to us, often even brighter.
Sometimes , especially when things seem dark or dreary, we can be reflectors as well. We can recognize the energy, the effort, that someone else is making and to give that energy back to them, even brighter. To say “I see you and I appreciate you”, especially when someone is feeling less than appreciated or alone, or sad.
You might be familiar with the Sanskrit word Namaste’, which is sometimes translated to “The divine light in me bows to the divine light in you.” The practice of Namaste’ is meant to impart that every being has a divine energy; we are all children of the light.
For us, as Scouts, it is a perfect example of the twelfth point of our Scout Law: A Scout is Reverent. We can show our reverence by understanding and respecting the divine in everyone, and by being a reflector to help them see their own light when things get rough.
Namaste’ Scouts.
As someone who has always had a soft spot for community service and a passion for engineering, I felt that my Eagle Project was a perfect opportunity for me to make a meaningful impact in my community while also developing personal skills and knowledge. For my project, I built a new path alongside a hill in my community, but it involves the risk of skidding and falling down the hill into shrubs while walking tangent to such a steep slope. My goal was to fix this issue and create a more convenient and safer path for everyone.
My favorite part of this project is that it is related to my passion for engineering. I learned so much about leading a team under pressure and gaining experience designing and executing engineering plans. It was also humbling to see so many volunteers willing to donate tools or come and help out. Companies like Ace Hardware, which donated tools for my project, Mainscapes, donated, and delivered all the woodchips I needed. Many of my friends who volunteered in the project (some of whom were not even Boy Scouts themselves) were essential to my project’s success. Moreover, one of the workdays was during my 18th birthday, and it was very satisfying to spend the day that marked my adulthood, giving back to my community that made me who I am. This project taught me a lot about planning, delegating duties to people based on their strengths, learning to accept the unexpected, and understanding that you can’t be prepared for everything; impulse decisions under pressure will always be needed. I also learned to think and work like an engineer, worry about how the structure will hold up in various weather conditions, react to wear and tear, and understand the importance of adhering to all safety regulations for any construction.
