Four Extra Steps

Imagine a parent carrying a basket of laundry across the yard. The family dog is asleep in the shade, right beside the path. One sharp command would clear the way. Instead, the parent takes four extra steps around him. The laundry arrives. The dog keeps dreaming.

That is a small picture of the Scout Law point Kind. It means treating others as we want to be treated, including animals. We all like having our comfort considered. Kindness asks us to notice when our easiest choice makes someone else's day harder. Sometimes the kind choice is only four extra steps: lowering our voice, giving someone time to finish, or letting an animal rest.

This week, look for one moment each day when you can spare a person or an animal some discomfort by changing what you do. Take those extra steps, even when nobody is there to notice.