A Scoutmaster is Patient

Patience and fortitude conquer all things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson The Scoutmaster’s job may be frustrating and irritating at times. An adult who looses their temper and yells is extraordinarily unsettling to Scouts. On the one hand it can frighten them, on the other it portrays weakness of character. It is imperative that Scoutmaster’s learn to control their temper.

Verbal explosions are no less inappropriate than physical ones, and can do as much harm. We must also learn to control our reactions to the thousand challenges that confront us and our Scouts.

Uncontrolled reactions to frustration are impulsive. The reaction is usually quick, irrational and unmediated. The first step in bringing a bad temper under control is recognizing the situations and feelings that trigger a loss a temper. Once recognized these triggers can be disarmed by something as simple as taking a few deep breaths or counting to ten.

While both of these strategies seem hackneyed and trite they actually work. They break the chain of impulse to reaction sufficiently to allow the rational mind to step in.

There are times when one must walk away from the situation for a few moments to gain some control and perspective.

Personally I find that trivial things are often the most upsetting.

Placing them in the proper perspective takes some real effort, especially if I am tired or stressed.

Properly rolling a tent or cleaning a cook kit is, to a Scout, a fairly trivial affair. But after twenty five years of Scouts who must constantly be reminded of these things I can loose my temper over them if I am not aware of my own reactions.

During the Sunday morning pack -up for a weekend outing I am probably tired and stressed and thus more susceptible to yielding to impatient impulses.

I have to stop and remind myself to be patient.

There are so many times when our job is simply stepping back and observing. The impulse to step in and correct, instruct, or react can be overpowering especially if our own children are involved. Much of the challenge, much of the difference between a good Scouter and a brilliantly great Scouter lies in replacing our initial impulse to react with a more rational and studied view of the situation.

I have found, over years of practice, that while I have little control over what others do I can not only control my temper but that I can control my more temperate reactions in line with my goals as a Scoutmaster .