It appears that today’s post is going to be another short rant…. sorry! I was driving home from work tonight and was inspired by the scene pictured above. This was what I saw in the grass next to a stop light. It made me sad, it made me embarrassed, it made me angry.
I am working hard to teach my children the importance of taking care of themselves, their possessions, and the environment that surrounds them. However, when we are continually seeing all sorts of garbage in the streets, it makes it very hard for me to teach them to respect themselves and others. All around our city there is garbage – it makes me sad and embarrassed on behalf of my city. Why don’t people care? Why don’t people have enough self-respect and community pride to want to treat our city well? Why don’t they help us all to keep our world looking nice? When they litter, they are hurting the rest of us.
Today, 83 days ’til 40, I hope that more people will understand that everyone plays an important role in respecting our environment, and, ultimately, ourselves.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
walkwiththerabbi
November 30, 2012 at 00:13
A gentle reminder my sister, that we should muster ALL of our time, talents and treasures (including our energy), ONLY where we have control, leverage and influence and NO WHERE ELSE! It is deeply sad for sure, but it’s also important to realize that this too, comes with the freedom of choice. Alright – I’m off my soapbox. I just love your heart! Thank G-D for people like you! You matter HUGE!!! Hugs from here till next time.
P.S. Wish you guys coild join Fran and I for a great creekside dinner tonight.
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:09
Yes, it is true, there is freedom of choice, but isn’t littering technically illegal?!? 🙂 You are right, I can only control myself, but it makes me sad when others do this. And, oh we would LOVE to join in a creekside dinner!!!! 🙂
walkwiththerabbi
December 1, 2012 at 00:27
Yes – littering is punishable in certain areas of our world. That said, people are still free in many parts of our world to do the “illegal” thing, and hope that no one is watching. It would be nice for the 4 of us to “break bread” at some point. I’d like that. Hugs from here until next time. “Keep Walking.”
400daystil40
December 1, 2012 at 20:13
Yes, it is so true…. one day I hope to get to your neck of the woods and meet you in person! That would be such a treat!
Naia
November 30, 2012 at 00:55
I have gone so far as to teach my boys to not walk on other people’s grass. I completely agree with you and yes, I pity a planet with some being raised to not give a damn.
🙂 Naia.
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:08
Yes, I am also trying to teach these values to my girls!
saymber
November 30, 2012 at 02:21
Whenever I see what your talking about I think of this ad: http://youtu.be/j7OHG7tHrNM – Indian Crying – Keep America Beautiful commericial. I understand your sentiments here and have expressed them complete with far too many expletives most of my life. Don’t give up and keep teaching your children and continue leading by example. It matters.
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:08
Wow, what a powerful ad!
saymber
December 1, 2012 at 21:42
Gets me teary every time I see it!
vyvacious
November 30, 2012 at 03:32
It definitely sucks to see that kind of scene when you’re out and about. I just remember what my mom always told me “It doesn’t matter what others do, it only matters what you do and what actions you take to make things right.” I definitely take that to heart and do my best to help around the community any way I can with my volunteer group whether that be cooking for the homeless or picking up trash. I completely get where you’re coming from though as I too get really upset over this.
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:06
Your mom was a wise woman and it is great advice!
sakuraandme
November 30, 2012 at 03:54
Drives me crazy people throwing things out the car window or just dropping litter on the ground! What the? Don’t they know what a bins for????…….Have a great weekend! ….Paula x
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:05
I am not sure they know what a bin is, let alone what it is for!
ahmedfraih
November 30, 2012 at 04:27
It’s the same situation here, people care less about the view of our city where they through the garbage every where randomly, no sense of responsibility at all, this is really embarrassing!
400daystil40
November 30, 2012 at 22:05
😦 Isn’t it sad? I agree with you, it is really embarrassing when I see it here too!
Sid Dunnebacke
December 1, 2012 at 00:41
Sigh. I share your frustration here. It’s difficult to see the level of uncaring (?) in this realm, and still feel like I make a difference at all when I choose, say, to recycle or pick up a piece of stray trash. I guess we can only do what we can do!
400daystil40
December 1, 2012 at 20:11
Yes, we only can do what we can do, but it is depressing – imagine if everyone cared… the world would be taken care of so much better.
simon7banks
December 5, 2012 at 17:38
That there is freedom of choice does not mean that any choice is right, or even that anyone will make the wrong choice. On top of the individual responsibility, in this case not to litter, there are a number of things both residents and authorities can do about littering. Encouraging reporting and then prosecuting is one; but education is another, reducing waste packaging another and more litter-bins regularly emptied are often effective.
It is not just a question of individual irresponsibility. A marketised society treats everything as a transaction between the individual (or family) and whoever they’re buying things from, whether it’s a shop or a government. Then the individual feels no responsibility for communal property. A community, on the other hand, involves all its members in shared responsibility for what it holds and values in common. The U.S. used to have very strong communities, but the community spirit is in decline in most developed countries. It can be revived, though, by bringing people together (young and old, for example) and by projects where something is gained by working together.
400daystil40
December 5, 2012 at 21:47
I agree with you – I suppose it depends on the country as to whether prosecution or education is more effective… I agree with you completely, the loss of community MUST be adding to the lack of desire to take pride in and care about neighborhoods.
simon7bankss
December 11, 2012 at 15:38
Round where I live, one of the most obvious problems is dog mess. Lots of people own dogs and not a few don’t care about dealing with the mess. The local council employs two dog wardens who do their best and can prosecute, but identifying the offenders is very hard. I do think some of them might listen to their children, so education through the schools may be a good way of attacking it.