Is that all there is?

eat_sleep_playbball_200You’ve probably seen the t-shirts that read (Fill in the blank) is life. The rest is just details. Put any activity in the blank: Football, softball, soccer, cheerleading, golf, snowboarding… and you can probably find a shirt with the slogan.

I came across a picture the other day that espoused how life is simple, and gave the three steps: Eat, sleep, and play basketball.

Is that it? Is that really all there is to life? Take care of the basic human needs, and play whatever game you happen to enjoy?

We pretty much know better. And we know those slogans aren’t entirely truthful, for of course there is more to life than baseball, or hot rods, or even beer.

I think I’d add a fourth step in that picture: Help other people.

If all we do is play the game or engage in the activity that we enjoy, what good are we? How are we improving the human condition – for ourselves as well as those around us?

If we add the Scout slogan – Do a good turn daily - to the slogans on those t-shirts, and followed through by doing it, maybe the world would be a bit better place. Scouts are making it happen. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone else did, too?

This post first appeared on Bobwhite Blather.
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