"Discontent is the source of all trouble..."

 



“Discontent is the source of all trouble,
but also of all progress,
in individuals and nations.”
               - Berthold Auerbach, 19th century Poet and Author

Of course I think that this quote is relate-able to the Gold Award!  Aren't we asking the girls to identify issues in their communities that speak to them?  And couldn't one of the reasons that an issue might appeal to the girl be because she is not happy with how some people are treated?  

I think this may be true for many of the social services.  The girls talk about what's wrong in the world:  too much hunger, too many homeless, too many unclaimed pets, etc.  So isn't it the girl's discontent with the status quo that motivates her to Take Action?

And by investigating the issue, discovering the root cause, "the source of all trouble", she is able to make a meaningful contribution to her community.  She takes was is uncomfortable, and seeks to fix it.  That's progress!  And it's even a more REAL progress when she makes her work sustainable.  She is making progress that continues, past her involvement with the project.

I like that:  "the source of all trouble" is the root cause or issue that we're asking the girl to identify and apply herself to resolving.  A pretty big undertaking, but our girls are up to it!  We just need to support her efforts.