The legend has it that a posse of six members of the Texas Ranger Division pursuing a band of outlaws led by Bartholomew “Butch” Cavendish is betrayed by a civilian guide named Collins and is ambushed in a canyon named Bryant’s Gap. Later, an Indian stumbles onto the scene and discovers one ranger is barely alive, and he nurses the man back to health. The Indian recognizes the lone survivor as the man who saved his life when they both were children. The Indian gave the man named Reid a ring and the name Kemo Sabe, which means “trusty scout”. Among the Rangers killed was the survivor’s older brother, Daniel Reid, who was a captain in the Texas Rangers and the leader of the ambushed group. To conceal his identity and honor his fallen brother, Reid fashions a black domino mask using cloth from his late brother’s vest. To aid in the deception, the Indian digs a sixth grave and places at its head a cross bearing Reid’s name so that Cavendish and his gang would believe that all of the Rangers had been killed. The Indian’s name was Tonto and Reid the lone surviving ranger from the ambush became The Lone Ranger.

Taken in part from Wikipedia

Why is this story so important today? A radio and television series that ran in the late 1940’s through the mid 50’s that I didn’t even have an opportunity to watch, and really didn’t understand what the Lone Ranger represented until very recently while watching retro television. It’s fiction, but as I watched it I came to realize that this show was not just for its entertainment qualities but how it depicted what was right with the world and how one man could make a difference.

The Lone Ranger lived by a certain moral code. He was consistent, never changed, and even when he had to use his gun he never shot to kill but rather to disarm. He had the ability to disarm the perpetrator using both physical and verbal means.

 He believed:

That to have a friend, a man must be one/ that all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world/ that God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself/ in being prepared  physically, mentally, and morally and  to fight when necessary  for what is right/ that a man should make the most of what equipment he has/ that ‘this government, of the people, by the people and for the people’  shall live always/ that men should live by  the rule of what is best for the greatest number/ that sooner or later …somewhere…somehow…we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken/ that all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever/ in his Creator, his country, and his fellow man.

We live in a world today that is so filled with intolerance, disrespect, irresponsibility and at times hatred that one may ask: why bother trying to use his standard to live by? I ask why not: Remember his name, The Lone Ranger, one man who was trying to make the world a better place.  We need to teach our kids some of the qualities of the Lone Ranger and help them begin to believe that they have the ability to make changes in this world. The key to the 99 is the 1. One person can make a difference in this world and slowly but surely the tide begins to change. First in one circle and then in others until the masses believe that they all have the ability to make a difference.

Where do we start? Well let’s see what we can begin to do to change ourselves first, then how we can help others by using some of The Lone Ranger’s moral code.

To have a friend, a man must be one

The Lone Ranger had Tonto and they were inseparable. They stood back to back for what was right and just. They cared for each other and had a loyalty that is rarely seen today. They befriended others and took the time to cultivate relationships with the good guys and yes at times the bad guys as well. They worked to see the good in others and when someone was headed down the wrong path they tried to help them right their wrongs. They always reached out. Is this something that we do today or better yet do we teach our kids to help others who are the victims of bullying, abuse or alienation. To have a friend one must first show themselves to be friendly.

All men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world

Where do we stand in the area of tolerance and prejudice? Do we allow the news to guide our thinking? Do we work to see the good in others or do we believe that one bad apple spoils the whole bunch? These are tough questions but things can easily be changed with the right words and attitudes regarding those who have weaknesses or who are different. Learn the art of disagreeing with the right attitude and teach your kids to do the same. We all have different beliefs but one’s belief doesn’t warrant disrespect, but rather understanding.

God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself

Are we responsible or do we blame others for our lot in life. Circumstances are what they are, whether it be upbringing, genetics, or some other force we all have the ability to be responsible for what we think, say, and do. How do we handle adversity? Do we help our children be resilient or do we allow them to fold under pressure. The skills are there for the taking we just have to light a match to throw some light on a problem that seems unsolvable.

Being prepared physically, mentally, and morally and to fight when necessary for what is right

How do we make decisions? Do we do it by the seat of our pants or are we prepared to stand on the principles of right and wrong. We have to be prepared when entering the battles of life and stand on what the facts are not what are emotions are telling us. When problems are presented to us our beliefs will determine our actions. My question is; what do you believe in?

 A man should make the most of what equipment he has

How do we optimize our resources? Are we creative or do we give up at the smallest challenge? Are we down on ourselves because we are working at a job that seems to be going nowhere? Whatever our skills are we need to use them for the greater good. When confronted by an issue remember, no fear, be courageous and realize that you have the power, the love, and a sound mind to tackle anything.

This government, of the people, by the people and for the people’ shall live always

The government which has been around for what seems like forever will always live. The question is do we agree with it and the people running it. When I watch a campaign ad it seems like the candidate spends more time telling me what’s wrong with the other candidate then what their owns strengths are. So much time spent on negative talk and besmirching each other can grow long in the tooth. Yes, it probably will live forever; my question is how do we tolerate it when the candidate of our choice is not in office? Or better yet, how do we help our kids manage it when all they hear is negativity, and at times lies from the people who are in office.

Men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number

We have a tendency today to fear the minority. When I worked as a school administrator it seemed like one parental complaint could change an entire policy. Everyone isn’t always happy but for some reason we always try to make everyone happy. How do you handle it when you are in the minority and you break a law or violate an employment policy? Rules are in place for the majority and need to be adhered to. Tell your kids that and help them understand the reason for certain rules, laws, and policies.

 Sooner or later…somewhere…somehow…we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken

Some call it Karma, some call it the universe, and some say what goes around comes around. Whatever it is life has a way of balancing things out. How do we know when payback might be coming? Your conscience will bother you. The world will give you time to right a wrong but if you don’t,  its payback might be more than you can bear. If your conscience tells you to make things right with someone or to make restitution, do it regardless of how uncomfortable it might be. That uncomfortable feeling will seem like nothing when you compare it to what the world has to offer.

All things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever

People lie and they know. There are liars all over the place. There are also folks who are known as embellishers. They seem to deal in hyperbole or always make the $100 dollars they made look like $1000. In my experience I have come across three types of liars: 1) The Situational Reactive liar. This guy will lie when it’s just as easy to tell the truth. His lying is based on the situation and the reaction he might get from his/her spouse or someone of consequence. 2) The Con Artist. This fellow could sell ice to an Eskimo or some you some undeveloped land in the backwoods of Virginia: a piece of land that everyone is just dying to buy, so you better pay for it now, sight unseen of course. 3) The Withholder. This is where it usually starts with kids. You ask them a question and the answer they give is about 90% true. They leave out the other 10% because it might incriminate them. My question here is which one are you, and what do you tell your kids when the cashier gives you too much change back, or when they ask you the speed limit when you know full well that you are speeding. Sure enough the truth does live forever and it will surely make you free.

The Lone Ranger believed in his Creator, his country, and his fellow man

The Lone Ranger believed and he didn’t need proof. Call it altruistic, call it faith, call it what you want, he believed. The belief in things that are unseen can be risky, but in the long run may be well worth it. Try putting some positive energy though into your country and your fellow man and you might find out that the world may not have changed, but you did. The outlook becomes brighter and you begin to develop a greater sense of the beauty of the world and begin to realize that the people in it are part of that beauty.

A character in a radio and TV show that was created with a purpose. Before Superman, Batman, and Spiderman the kids in the 40’s and 50’s had The Lone Ranger. No special powers, not from another planet, but a real flesh and blood superhero who offered some guidelines on how to live a life of character, treat others, and understand that one person can truly make a difference.

 

[ecwid_product id=”120396104″ display=”picture title price options addtobag” version=”2″ show_border=”1″ show_price_on_button=”1″ center_align=”1″]