Personal aspiration

December 16, 2012

The years and decades have gone and faded into a misty past. Interestingly, my personal aspirations have gone the same way. When I was a teen I just wanted to belong. Our scout troop in the Scottsdale first ward decided on a three-day hike and our job was to bring sufficient food for the journey. We were on a buddy system and my team-mate and I very scientifically determined the amount and items we needed. Unfortunately, neither of us knew anything about portions, pounds and packs. When we arrived at the point of embarkation, we soon found that our three boxes of food would have been sufficient to feed the entire troop for a week and that it would take no less than Atlas, himself, to pack in the fabulous items we brought. A wise and chuckling scout master helped us sort through our stash and make reasonable loads for us. We went on to have a fabulous activity in the great outdoors of northern Arizona.

Years later as a freshman scoutmaster in Holbrook, I became a leader driven to help scouts achieve seemingly impossible tasks. When we went to scout camp, my troop was encouraged to get as many merit badges as they possible could. When eagle badges were in the horizon, I encouraged each scout to shoot for and achieve that goal. Then the impossible; National Jamboree became the goal to end all goals. After selling coal, grapefruit, work projects, and probably my soul, we sent five boys, including Scott to National Jamboree at AP Fort Hill, New Jersey.

In Orem first ward about 1986 I became Varsity leader (scouts in their mid-teens). One of the best lessons I learned was about commitment. These boys really loved hiking and camping. On two separate, but consecutive occasions I “postponed” camping trips because of what appeared to be bad weather and after the second event was cancelled the boys came out in open rebellion making their personal aspirations very well known. I learned that when we make commitments we stick to them and do everything humanly possible to make accommodation for such trivial things as weather. We went on to have many successful outings; however, never did we have an event in which we experienced the perfect conditions.

Boys got wet, sunburned, stalled in our motor home in Salina, etc, but I believe we all learned many valuable lessons about life. I learned that I needed to understand that each of us has our personal aspirations; that no matter who, what, when, or why we embark on a mission, must do it for the right reasons. All of these young men grew to be successful business leaders, medical professionals, businessmen, and fine fathers. Each continues to learn life’s lessons and move toward the time when they can look back and feel a sense of accomplishment. That they have lived the way Heavenly Father would want them to have done. They have fought the good fight.

May we all find personal joy in seeing our posterity grow and learn the lessons we have been placed on earth to experience.

God bless you as you move through the ages of life and enjoy the truly marvelous experiences of being human.

Duane Jacobs, Grandfather, pop, uncle, cousin, brother, and fond friend