​THE BADGES OF LIFE by Pennie Hunt

When I found it, I wanted to put three fingers up and recite the Girl Scout Oath. The plastic bag lying on the bottom of my cedar chest held memories of my childhood. The Brownie beanie was crumbling, but my Girl Scout beanie, belt, bow tie, sash, and gloves were folded just the way they were left decades ago.

I unfolded the sash and laid it out to see the badges. Southwest Oklahoma Troop 901. Membership stars and the love pin that designated that I had shown love to family, friends, and the community. Angel wings showing the progression from being a Brownie to a Junior Girl Scout.

It was the badges that grabbed my attention. A coffee cup for hospitality. Footsteps for walking, hiking, and nature. Skating. Water sports. Cooking/baking. Love and care of animals. The more I researched the badges I earned, the more amazed I became. The areas I worked to learn about as a child were the areas I have always loved throughout my life.

Every morning I post a video of my coffee cup and welcome my followers into my day. I have always been a walker, hiker, and lover of nature. I grew up ice skating, roller skating, and water skiing. I can still skate and continue to be a water baby. Cooking and baking are one of my favorite pastimes. And if you know me, you know how I adore animals. Even the love pin struck me as I teach others how to, “Love Your Life- No Matter What!”

How could I have known when I was 9 years old that I would center my life around those areas? Do we come into this life with a knowing of what we are meant to be a part of? Is our big life picture destined to be created before we are aware?

Then the concept of gathering badges invaded my thoughts. I do remember the reading, the requirements, and the activities it took to be awarded a badge. As a young girl it was my first taste of this kind of accolade that seems to be repeated in life.

Our school grades were the same type of process. Team sports all have requirements and a level of accomplishment to receive the trophies. It is the same with work promotions and life stages that give us badges, titles, and status. Don’t forget the badges of being a spouse, parent, grandparent, and friend. Do we just continue to add badges until our life sash is full?

Last week I attended the National Speakers Association Conference (NSA). When I arrived, I put on my lanyard that held ribbons that documented my accomplishments. Fifteen+ Year Member. Power Women of NSA. NSA Author. It was my NSA sash.

For four days there were ceremonies for accomplishments. People were called on stage and the list of requirements they met were announced and then a ribbon, a title, or a trophy was awarded to them. As these people walked through the halls, fellow members oohed and awed over their ribbon or newly given recognition. They beamed with pride.

It was Girl Scouts all over again. I clearly remember walking over the small wooden bridge that ceremonially recognized the promotion from being a Brownie to a Junior Girl Scout. I remember wearing my sash and the pride I felt with every addition of a badge.
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Maybe life doesn’t change as much as we think. We will always want another badge for our sash. We continue to reach for them until our life sash is full, folded and tucked into a plastic bag.

Then someday our badges may be found in a memory box of keepsakes.
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                                                  Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                   Life is a series of requirements and accomplishments.
                                                Choose your badges wisely. 
                                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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​YOUR TURN...        
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                                                                 Thank you!  ​
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