I am a boy-scout.

In the rich tapestry of life, we all stumble upon lessons, mentors, and principles that shape who we become. Among the different way you could discover your guiding lights (family, faith, adversity, ...) there is one that really shaped my life zenith: my years as a Boy Scout.

The boy scout movements is spread across the entire world with localizations to adapt different cultures and traditions. Travelling the world I realize that in some countries the movement is (still) growing fast↗️; in some where once very dominant in Youth it is now withdrawing😓; in others is detached from religion, or considered a strange niche 🧑‍🎨, almost a clan.

If you have seeen boyscouts before in your life, you have noticed that they all have different foulard colors based on your group of belonging (mine was: blue for the ocean🌊, green for the nature 🌲, yellow for the the sun☀️). Not many (of you might) know 😃that no matter your foulard colors and cultural background, boyscout movements are all based on the principle of brotherhood🧑‍🤝‍🧑 ("scout one day, scout forever"), on the same foundational concepts, same Promise, same sharing-life rules and (life-long) educational lessons. Even shake hands 🤝.

The Promise

I am often asked by many what Boyscout-ing means for me: a life long journey that shapes your soul, strenghen your values, forge your spirit for as long as you chose for.

A better summary is within the boyscout promise itself: As a young human being, you decide to engage and promise (to other boyscouts, the world and yourself)

To do my duties at the best of my skills all the times; to help Others people in any circumstances; to respect the boyscout Law.

The Boyscout Law

Together with the Promise, the Boyscout Law is the second big pillar and is the same across the world. 10 Articles, applicable every day of your existence, that will change you forever. Promised! 😄

Here I will share the 3 that forged (the most) my way, planted seeds that would blossom into lifelong values. Many of you who knows me will rescognize these words in my mindset, actions and relationships.

1. "Pongono il loro onore per meritare fiducia." (A Scout's honor is to be trusted)

Trust is the invisible currency of human relationships. Without it, marriages crumble, friendships fracture, businesses fail, and societies falter. This first article taught me, early on, the gravity and beauty of being a trustworthy person. It is not enough to merely ask for trust or expect it; one must earn it every single day.

Being worthy of trust means honoring your word. It means showing up when you say you will. It means owning your mistakes and being transparent in your actions. There were moments in my youth (and adult life) where temptation whispered to cut corners, to take the easier road, to embellish truths. But the Scout Law whispered louder: "Your honor is at stake. Be worthy."

As I transitioned into adulthood, this principle became my anchor⚓. In my professional life, colleagues came to know that my promises were not empty words but commitments written in stone. In my personal relationships, friends and loved ones knew they could rely on me, not because I demanded their trust but because I demonstrated it consistently.

In a world increasingly skeptical and cynical, where many wear masks and play games, to live as someone truly worthy of trust is not just rare; it's revolutionary. And when people recognize that you operate from this space of integrity, doors open, partnerships flourish, and life becomes infinitely richer.

2. "Sorridono e cantano anche nelle difficoltà." (A Scount smiles and whistles under all difficulties)

Life, as we all learn sooner or later, is not a smooth road. It is filled with bumps, detours, storms, and unexpected obstacles. This article of the Scout Law, perhaps more than any other, became my secret weapon against adversity.🚀

As a teenager, during long hikes under pouring rain or while struggling to start a fire with wet wood, I discovered the magic of choosing one’s attitude. The external world could rage and howl, but I had control over my response. To smile in hardship is not to deny pain or pretend everything is fine. It is to acknowledge the challenge while choosing not to be defeated by it.💪💪

Years later, as life threw its heavier punches — career setbacks, personal losses, and moments of profound doubt — I drew from this simple yet profound wisdom. I smiled 😄. Sometimes through tears, sometimes through clenched teeth, but I smiled. I found ways to metaphorically sing: finding humor in the absurd, gratitude in the small blessings, and hope in the darkest corners.

The resilience this creates is extraordinary. When you train yourself to smile and sing through hardships, you become unbreakable. Others look to you for strength, for hope. You radiate a calm confidence that says, "This too shall pass, and I will remain standing."🪁🪁

3. "Sono amici di tutti e fratelli di ogni altra guida o scout." (A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout)

Many of you has heard this sentence from me multiple times. Surely, in an increasingly polarized and individualist world, this article feels more urgent and necessary than ever. The capacity to see others as friends rather than threats, to approach differences with curiosity rather than fear, is a superpower.🩷

In my Scouting days, I met people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. We shared tents, meals, and stories under the stars. We learned that beneath superficial differences, we were all fundamentally the same: seeking connection, understanding, and belonging.

My years volunteering and travelling made pulse these words at the different tempo. Indeed as I grew older, this ethos expanded beyond the world of Scouting. If the sense of adventure nurtured my will to I learned to see colleagues, strangers, and even rivals through a lens of kinship. This doesn’t mean naively trusting everyone or ignoring genuine dangers, but rather approaching the world with an open heart. It means listening more than judging, offering kindness more than criticism, extending a hand instead of raising a fist.

This perspective has gifted me friendships that cross cultural, religious, and political divides. It has allowed me to navigate tense situations with empathy, to de-escalate conflicts, and to foster collaboration where others saw only competition. Those who will laugh by now 😅.

The Transformative Power of Embracing These Three Articles

Individually, each of these principles is powerful. But together, they form a holistic philosophy for living:

• Integrity (being worthy of trust) ensures that your relationships are strong, your word carries weight, and you walk through life with your head held high.
• Resilience (smiling through difficulties) equips you to face life's inevitable hardships with grace, maintaining your inner peace and spreading hope to others.
• Empathy (being friends to all) opens your world, enriches your understanding, and fosters genuine human connection.

When these values intertwine, they create a person who is both deeply grounded and expansively open, both strong and tender, both reliable and adventurous. They transform you into someone others naturally gravitate toward—not because you're perfect, but because you're genuine, hopeful, and kind.

To conclude

Now you know the foundations upon which I have built my life. The professional successes I've achieved, the lifelong friendships I've forged, and the peace I carry within, even amidst storms, all trace somehow back to these simple Scout Laws.

Don't get me wrong, there are days, of course, when I fall short: when impatience flares, when fear whispers, when cynicism creeps in. But the compass 🧭of these three principles never fails to reorient me. They are a quiet voice in my heart, a gentle nudge reminding me who I strive to be.

You don't have to be a Scout to embrace these values. They are universally applicable, transcending age, profession, culture, or background. The world is hungry for more people who live with integrity, who radiate positivity, and who approach others with empathy.

Imagine a world 🌍where more of us put our honor into being trustworthy. Where more of us choose to smile😄 through life’s trials. Where more of us see strangers as potential friends. What kind of workplaces would we create? What kind of communities would we build? What kind of legacy would we leave?

I am trying to do my little part to leave this world a bit better than how I found it, and you? 😀

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