Pat Lou Hawks - Under Their Wings: A Daring Adventure Mentoring Girls

Chapter 6

NO TRAIL LEFT BEHIND

I M SURE ANYONE could guess what my husband and Miss Sally might have said when I broke the news about the additions to my schedule, but first they announced, Im speechless! Followed by hysterical laughter. However, they had a lot to say!

I learned to listen from their point of view. Really, I didnt need to respond, or even feel a need anymore; they were right. What more could I say?

I finally learned to silently and graciously accept the challenges life was handing me. I remembered the philosophy my good friend and mentor Bruce shared with me about our purpose, or the meaning of life, and what he learned from his mentor. It was simply that we are all here to learn something, and that something is different for each and every one of us. Basically, the sooner we learn it, the less we will be challenged or tested on it (paraphrasing of course).

The way I had it figured, I would learn what it was my soul needed to learn later when the lesson revealed itself. With that, I finally made a clear decision for myself, to get out of resistance, get out of my own way, and lets get er done! I wanted to learn whatever it was that I had to learn, and learn it a little quicker now! Easier, quieter, and less painful would be nice!

I actually learned how to relax faster and easier within this new mindset. I wasnt sure if this was how life worked for everyone else, or who had all the answers. I just knew I started to take things as they came, one day at a time without the inner turmoil and struggles. One could argue this is simply growing up, maturing with age, and happens naturally. I would suggest that we each have our own thought process and interpretations of everything we encounter. We dont all arrive at the same conclusions, level of maturity or turn out the same. Therefore, who knows what the meaning, lessons or conclusions are, or are supposed to be?

I simply knew there had to be a bigger point within all of this, and life, than just taking up space, air, and food. I most certainly ascertained the point of view that it was easier accepting what is, rather than resisting what isnt all the time, which left me more time and energy to focus on what was right in front of me, right now!

I left behind unnecessary worrying about how I was going to do it all, be it all, or the ever-famous, Whats coming next? It opened the doors to a whole new world, called being in the moment. I was finally enjoying the now of life, and yoga breathing with each moment, by moment, by moment, through all the ins, the outs, and the changes.

It actually freed me up so much that I was capable of doing twice the amount of work, in shorter periods of time. Getting rid of the extra worry and doubts about myself allowed copious amounts of room for the productive thoughts and energy to occupy the vacated spaces. Sort of like the expression, getting rid of all the tenants in my head, who were not paying rent.

I needed every cell now , firing, functioning and humming in harmony, to manage the projects right in front of me. I knew this was my lesson for now, and it was preparing me for something else.

I could feel it in my bones; there was something I had to be ready for, an atonement of sorts. Furthermore, I knew the answer was surrendering to each event and moment now, and I had to simply wait for the why to reveal itself with time.

The majority of the girls wanted to earn a hiking badge, so that was first on the agenda. Its what we started out focusing on in Juniors while mixing with the other interests. We had completed nine hikes in the first two years of Juniors, using the K.I.S.S. method of keeping it short & simple, to get us off the ground running. We were building friendships, training, and bonding while on these nature hikes. Kelcy was even enjoying these eco-walks and had adjusted quite well with the simple ones so far. The litmus test was coming soon, and it was time for testing their skills further. We would be taking it up a notch, by adding more elevation, as well as challenges with the start of the third year.

Before I held the first meeting with our troop, I cannon-balled into the waters over my head with the first Service Unit meeting for the Leaders. It was at this gathering that the doors flew open, and an angel soared in, offering her time and talents to a troop of girls as a P.A. aka Program Aide. Her name was Crystal, and she was a Senior Scout with lots of personality, jubilance, energy and experience.

Jackie, our Council Director, brought her to the meeting to speak with the leaders about offering her services and skills of mentoring with a younger troop of girls. She was also looking at earning accolades and achievements of her own in Girl Scouting during the process. Ergo, the teaching, learning, and mentoring process being handed over. I thought she would be trampled in the stampede before I reached her after the meeting ended. I was trying to play it cool, not looking too needy by staying back until everyone else had a chance to meet with her first.

Well, that didnt work out so well, I just broke down and begged, please choose me, please choose me, please! We both laughed at my desperation and I gave her my phone number and meeting times. She would visit our girls and check out all the troop dynamics along with all the other offers she received that night.

After our first meeting of introducing Crystal to the girls, I received a phone call that she was interested in mentoring our troop. She explained that she would be a good fit for the girls because she kinda understood where they were at on their scouting journey. I was so relieved to hear this, because I didnt have a clue how to help them, especially at this complacent age.

She explained about quitting scouts for a short time at their age and could relate to the feelings, behaviors, and attitudes they were currently experiencing. Apparently, I was so far out of the generation gap that I had forgotten how to relate. She further explained how sometimes peer pressure dictates that scouting is uncool or nerdy. I certainly did relate to that statement, and as much as things change, things stay the same. That was on the top of the hit parade list of why I quit early. However, this is where I didnt have a clue how to help them and only knew that I needed help.

So, what is cool at their age? How do I make it cool? Can I make it cool? These and many more questions inquiring minds have asked for the ages, in the parent/teen generational gap of adolescences. She also went on to explain that with a little time and maturity, she grew more confident and independent, by using the skills she gained before leaving and realized how much she missed it. Fortunately, arriving at the decision to return before graduating.

She was literally a Godsend , and we were a match made in heaven. Crystal was the glue at this time that literally held us together. She was the miracle and missing piece of the puzzle I had to trust from the beginning. The intuitive voice I heard during meditation was giving me the answers from the start, I will give you what you need when you need it.

Yes, Crystal was my saving grace, and I am truly indebted to her, even to this day. She was and is a shining example of how the scouting program works and how we pass the baton from one woman to the next, lifting one another up in growth, love, and life. The scouting program was designed and developed with this in mind, for the older girls to help and do the mentoring with the younger ones. Filling in the gaps, buying us time, until the foundation cures, takes root, and they are ready to spread their wings and fly off on their own.