Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude.
Louie Schwartzberg
Rain was predicted overnight and through this afternoon.
But while some areas of the country did get drenched and flooded, our area got nothing at all.
So out I went for a walk.
Every time I go, I say I'm just going to walk and nothing else, but I just can't help myself.
Picking up litter while walking always happens.
I've been told that I make Kuwait look good in my pictures, but it's all about perspective vs reality.
I've been picking up litter from roadsides for 30 years now. In my 20s, I was involved in community organizations that would adopt a 2 mile stretch of highway and keep it clean.
Today I found and filled three bags with trash.
The problem just keeps growing because everything we buy and use is made of or wrapped in plastic of some sort.
Even if people do use the trash containers, it's pointless if they aren't being emptied or properly maintained. One big gust of wind and all that trash just flies everywhere.
Quite often I feel like my actions are futile since there is just so much garbage everywhere. But then, another chance encounter (and there have been many) reinforces my effort to make a difference. Today a lady on the walking path came up to me and thanked me for caring for the country and the environment. We had a nice long chat about that and many other things.
In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.
Les Brown
Rather ironic that I found this old tin on the ground as I was picking up all that garbage.
Even more ironic is that it's a container made by Kotex that is supposed to be reusable.
So, while I do always try to find the beauty in my surroundings, there's also the trashy side that really makes me frustrated and disappointed.
A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.
Wade Boggs
Sending positive vibes your way for a good start to your week.
Happy Monday!
15 comments:
A few years ago I used to walk every morning and pick up trash along the way but I was very criticized by people. They made me feel more guilty for picking it up and putting it in its place to those who threw the garbage. My environment is very poor but above all poverty is education. This is Latin America, Argentina and Tucumán. Congratulations for what you do.
I pick up trash on my walks too, especially plastic and cigarette butts, so awful to see. Where I walk, if it gets washed into the storm drains, garbage goes directly to the ocean. Poor sea creatures! Thank you for your efforts, you are finding a LOT of trash and picking it up.
As I said earlier Tammy, you are an inspiration to me. You just keep doing one more right thing and it really does snowball. Thank you for your efforts in keeping your part of the world looking beautiful. Many blessings, Betsy
beautiful post Tammy
You are an angel to try and keep the trash to a minimum. I know it feels pointless but it makes a difference and maybe others will care enough to pick some up, too.
Hi Tammy. We too, when walking our dog Molly, pick up other peoples trash. How sad that a garbage container can be a few feet away, and they somehow miss it!!
Love your pictures of nature. so lovely. What a contrast...nature (God's) and trash (people). Have a great day. Hugs.
You are so wonderful! If only we had a billion more of you. You make such a difference. :) Kit
Well done and well said, Tammy! Thank you so much for caring. Before I read this I picked up a piece of trash in the parking lot I was in, but I also found myself using some plastic bags and gave myself a little encouragement to use less. Your post cheers me on to do better and more in caring for our environment. I watched a short video of the astronauts who first took photos of earth from outer space. They marveled at earth's beauty and hoped the photos would encourage folks to care more for the earth. In their old age, they are disappointed that we have so much more to do to be good stewards of the earth. But thankfully each effort we make is for the cause and celebration of good! xx
This is beautiful, Tammy. I do think it's awesome that you engage in this endeavor, even though I typically do not because it's my intense exercise time and I can't be stopping every few feet to pick up trash, especially when in the stride of a run or power walk. I DO however pick up garbage from my own yard thrown there occasionally by a careless passerby and in our bathroom at work where careless women throw their papers on the floor (I don't get this at all). I hate and I do mean - HATE - litter and litterers. I don't understand people who can do that, but in your country's case, it does seem like it could be much improved if the government would simply pick up the trash cans on a regular basis! Why don't they? I don't understand that since it's done regularly here.
At any rate, bless you for your efforts and yes indeed, you do make Kuwait look beautiful. :)
Linda
You are a wonderful person, Tammy, full of care for others and for our environment. I'm lucky enough to live in a tidy place and rarely see any trash when I'm out walking. I know there are local areas where there is more trash, but I don't usually go there. Change must come if we are to protect our earth. I recently read that the majority of the plastic in the oceans comes from just 10 rivers - raising public awareness in the countries where these rivers are is crucial - but how?
Bravo to you, Tammy! You know how I feel about litter. I think every bit of clean-up helps but I do wish people wouldn't litter to start with. I also wish that people would become more aware of the waste they contribute too.
I try to be very conscious of the things I buy. It frustrates me when I see how manufacturers over-package items too — so much extra and unnecessary waste to add to landfill and a lot ends up in our oceans. I've watched a few documentaries of late on the crisis our oceans and sea-life are facing due to humans using it as a waste disposal among other things, including tons of plastic. It's quite a worry because, when our oceans die, we will follow....everything is connected.
We often do that too but it's so frustrating to pick up other people's trash because it's a neverending task. Those lazy pigs are so annoying and I just don't get it. It really doesn't take much effort to take the trash to the next trash can or back home. We can't let one of our cats go outside because he likes to chew on plastic bags and there are always bags full of garbage laying around along our street and an illegal dump just some hundred yards away. It drives us mad.
I used to do the same thing here. They don't have litter laws and it makes a huge difference....lots of trash. Good for you and I don't believe in coincidence....that was a sign of encouragement to you. My favorite quote is from Mother Theresa when she said at the end of an essay..."it's not about you and them anyway...it's about you and God". I try to live my life that way as I can't be responsible for others actions or non-actions....I can only be responsible for me. You are truly a gift to this planet and all of us!
Hugs ~ Sam
Yes, perspective. People sometimes ask me how I get so many nature shots without people. Well, like your trash-less photos, it's all about angle! I think it's good that you walk AND do other things. The minute YOU cease to care, especially about trash, I will be really worried. I try really hard not to use any plastic shopping bags … one of our worst creations ever.
Don't give up your mission in life. I know exactly how you feel about feeling futile, but believe me you're making a difference. It will encourage someone to follow in your steps.
At my old neighborhood we didn't have a neighborhood association, so it was up to us to keep our area clean. I started carrying bags with me during my daily walk after following in someone's footsteps.
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