A Guiding Life

This week's gallery is 'Talent'

My talent does not lie in cake making! Let's clear that one up. But I will bake a batch of cakes to let the Rangers know I value them and their achievements.

Many years ago I help out at a Brownie pack where the leader shouted - a lot. I think we all got into the habit of it a bit but there came a moment for me when I stopped and looked at us all and thought 'they come here to have fun not to be shouted out'.

It was a turning point for me.

When I came to my current Ranger unit to help out there was a general air in the leadership that made me feel uncomfortable and it took me straight back to that moment at Brownies all those years ago. Rangers don't turn up to be lectured or spoken down to and they recognise sarcasm and derision very well.

It can be hard to be constantly positive and nobody could stand a permanent Pollyanna but a general air of it spreads out to create a friendly, supportive environment.

I had a card from a Ranger that left to go to university. She said I had created a turning point for her in Guiding, she started to enjoy it again with me there, she wanted to stay a part of it and is now starting her Queen's Guide. Another Ranger said to me the other night "I really enjoy coming to Rangers".

I'm pretty rubbish at cooking (but I can turn out a meal for 20+ on a pack holiday!).
My fitness for running is mediocre (but I can stay the course in a 12 hour day of 1500 girls.)
I'm pretty average in anything I do (but our best effort is accepted as good enough in Guiding.)
I don't play an instrument, I can't sing for toffee, I can't act, and I'm not the top in my field at work (I'm definitely not top in my field when it comes to Guiding in a field!)

But I can help a great group of girls have a great time.

I think I scare the willies out of Rainbows, bless their little cotton socks, I'm totally not talented enough to be a Rainbow leader! But I can make Brownies giggle, Guides roll their eyes (do they do anything else!!), and I can turn a Senior Section atmosphere around that changed a girl that went home in tears after each meeting (I often wonder why she came back) into a Ranger that loved being there.