by Deborah Rogers –
Were you ever a Cub Scout, or parent to one? Do you remember the Wolf Cub motto with its “dyb dyb dyb, dob, dob, dob?” I never knew what the “dybs” and “dobs” were all about until my sons were cubs, and I became a leader. Yes, I was Chil (the Kite): the name was aspirational as I didn’t find it a very relaxing experience being responsible for 14 eight- to 10-year-olds! At the start of every meeting the call of the pack leader is for the Cubs to “Do your best!” (dyb), and the cubs pledge back: “Akela, we’ll do our best!” (dob).
What a fantastic rallying cry. Those kids are not being told to be the best, they are being exhorted to do their best – whatever the best looks like for them. I’ve been thinking about this as the first weeks of 2021 unfold themselves, with promises that this year will look much like the last. We’re living through difficult times and the strain is showing everywhere you look.
Did you try for a “Dry January” and then find an armed insurrection across the border had you reaching for a stiff drink by the 6th? Well, do your best! Instead of aiming to spend weeks on the wagon, opt for more days on than off.
Was this going to be your January to get in shape? Perhaps you set your sights on 30 days of yoga, or a couch to 5km plan, but then found that work/life/the rain, or simply mental exhaustion, kept you from achieving your goal. Don’t give it all up; do your best!
Did your favourite magazine disappoint you with its content, making you angry after you’d been such a loyal reader? Let them know, of course, but maybe you don’t have to call them “lazy” or “clueless;” perhaps they’re doing their best under difficult circumstances too?
We’re going to need to show kindness and tolerance this year, to our neighbours but perhaps even more to ourselves. Wouldn’t it be great if we all showed that compassion that we’d happily extend to any child, to our own efforts. Proceed forward with the assumption that the people around you are doing their best, encourage them to be even better where possible, forgive them their slip-ups, and treat with tender kindness everyone’s efforts.
