Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Change Happens

The running track in the park I use is always full of discarded wrappers. For the last couple of days, after finishing my daily run, I have been walking an extra round to collect the wrappers and throw them in the dustbin.


"Why are you doing that?", an old lady asked yesterday.
"So nobody slips on them and gets hurt", I replied.
"But you didn't throw them."
"No, but I can always pick them up."

Today, there were no wrappers on the track. The old lady had been making sure people used the dustbin.

Change happens even if only slowly.

_____
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

20 comments:

Jules said...

And see, one person can make a difference. Well maybe 2, the old lady and you :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

You are so right! We had torrential rains and rubbish was everywhere, washed from where people had tossed it away without care.
My friend and I sometime do what you suggest, just pick up trash as we walk. Once, someone tried to hand us bottles for recycling and we explained we weren't collecting for money, we were cleaning up. I don't understand why more people don't see the world as a whole is our home, and, as such, deserves respect.

Jayne said...

Aw this is so lovely, and you are so right. Small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness like this do make a difference! It is so heartening to hear.

Anonymous said...

Rayna - You are right that change happens. What you have also shown is that just by making small changes in our own parts of the world, we can make the world better. You spread good change, just like a ripple in a pond, and that has improved your world. That, to me, is a very admirable thing to do. It reminds me of a bumper sticker I've seen that seems superficial but has a lot to it: Think Globally; Act Locally.

Theresa Milstein said...

Good for you for picking up trash. I've done that from time to time because it's sad to see it. I wish more people cleaned up after themselves.

Happy New Year.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Great little story about how one person can make a difference. It we would all do just a little it adds up something big.

Jan Morrison said...

A lovely drabble - straight-forward and absolutely right on!

Oddyoddyo13 said...

One thing leads to another....that was very nice of the both of you!

kjmckendry said...

Love this one, just shows that being a good example really does make a difference.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Way to set the example, Rayna!

Tina said...

Awesome! Totally awesome.

Jemi Fraser said...

You always remind me of my favourite quote (by Gandhi): Be the change you want to see in the world. You ARE that change Rayna - keep it up!! :)

JP said...

Good one to follow...

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Great post, following a wonderful deed...We all have to do our part.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Mason Canyon said...

Wonderful post and a great reminder we each can make a difference if we just try.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Ella said...

Love this! I love how you changed her view and she in turn changed others! That is progress~

Dorte H said...

Well done!

Change has to begin somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Hurray for small positive changes in the world!

dipali said...

Reminds me of my mother- she'd pick up large twigs off the road so people wouldn't trip!

Natasha said...

@ Jules - the lady more than me. I do things myself- she made others do it, which is much greater.

@ Tricia - in a way, that is so sad. Why should you not be doing it only because it is the right thing to do? Everything need not be for money. But nice of them to offer, all the same.

@ Jayne - they do. don't they. And that is so good too.

@ Margot - it is like a ripple, and that's the best part of it. And I love that bumper sticker.

@ Theresa - precisely. I did it because I wanted it out of the way- that lady was great because she learnt and immediately taught.

@ Susan - little things always add up, don't they?

@ Jan - thank you.

@ Oddyoddyo13 - I think what she did was better. She got converted and immediately started converting others.

@ kmckendry - there is still hope for the world!

@ Alex - I did what I always do. I was amazed at how she picked it up.

@ Tina - amazing how good deeds lead to more good deeds.

@ Jemi - thank you. I admire the man a lot, and hearing you say that is wonderful. Though I am sure I am a long way off from deserving it.

@ Jarlin - thank you.

@ Sharon - I couldn't have done otehrwise. Was impressed by the other lady.

@ Mason - Yes, each of us can bring about change, if we do theh right thing long enough. Heartning.

@ Ellen - that is progress, isn't it. And I am so happy I was a part of it.

@ Dorte - thank you.

@ Fiona - it is the small things that add up, isn't it?

@ Dipali - she was a wonderful lady, your mother. And you are built on the same lines.

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