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Health & Fitness

Committing Acts of Outdoor Kindness

Taking a walk results in some acts of kindness.

The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and it feels like spring is in the air. Is it possible to give and receive kindness at the same time? You bet it is. Today the act of kindness could be shared by many, and while I didn’t get a chance to see a specific person’s reaction, it was something I know helps everyone and also our surroundings.

If you’re anything like me, your car is crumb-free and spotless. This would be in my mind, not in my reality. Quite laughable really. On occasion, there could be any number of things floating around in the car, from books to snacks or wrappers from something or a water bottle. But never, as long as I can help it, do any of these things ever make it outside my car unless being recycled or thrown away.

It is shocking when you see people throw garbage out their window, especially cigarette butts and boxes. Litter is a pet peeve--one of my many, I guess--but it bothers me that so many people still litter, everywhere. If a raccoon gets in your garbage or a strong wind blows, I can understand some trash about. But the amount of trash on the streets is gross. This then brings me to the act of the day.

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Across the street from us is a walking/biking trail, which is paved and nice to get out and stretch your legs on, which is just what I did. I grabbed some bags and set off to collect as much trash as I could find (note to anyone wanting to do this, bring gloves). No worse for wear, I collected a full bag of odds and ends from our street, down the path and back up Sauk Trail on either side of the street. Some of the items were the norm; paper, napkins, fast food bags, butts and boxes from smokers … the usual suspects. Along the trail there were remnants of caution tape, a spoon and several long pieces of duct tape. The last item made me keep my imagination on overdrive, but I’m certain it was nothing, right?

During my time collecting I wondered if anyone would notice the missing trash. I know I did, and I felt such a sense of accomplishment for something so small.  Helping the Earth, cleaning up shared environment, getting some much needed exercise and enjoyed the pre-spring day, not bad for the day’s act of kindness.  So many other ideas have been spinning around for the big day, any suggestions for me? Send them my way! Love the motivation of anything that you might be doing in your neck of the woods.

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"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."  

~Native American proverb

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