The Broom Instead

Imagine a man clearing his porch with a leaf blower. Each time it roars, his dog squeezes farther behind a chair. The porch is almost clean. He could finish in another minute. Instead, he switches off the blower and gets a broom. The job takes longer. The dog comes out.

The Scout Law point is Kind. It means treating others as you want to be treated, including animals. Kindness starts with noticing what our actions feel like on the receiving end. What seems harmless to us might feel frightening or embarrassing to someone else. We do not have to understand every fear to take it seriously. Sometimes kindness means changing our method, not abandoning our goal.

This week, notice one time your noise, joke, or hurry makes a person or animal uncomfortable. Ask what would help, or give an animal space. Then change what you are doing.