Trash Walk

Long ago I learned something important about myself – I need trees.

It’s my happy place where I can recharge, surrounded by the protection and stillness of nature. It’s not surprising then that a small wooded area near my home would draw me in like magnet during these days of lockdown.

Each day I’ve said a small prayer of thanks for access to this special place even though the circular path is only a few hundred metres.

On my last visit, I noted with irritation the growing piles of litter being left behind by inconsiderate walkers through MY space. The seed of an idea began to grow that I should use my outdoor time to make a small difference and try to leave the world a little better than I found it.

So yesterday I headed out for my walk armed with a plastic bag and a pair of gardening gloves, intent on cleaning up my little forest. Imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered that it too was now a victim of the city lockdown of all parks and trails.

I actually stood there for several minutes contemplating whether I should simply walk around the tape and continue on with my walk. After all, I was on a noble quest. Surely there was room for such a venture during this lockdown.

I finally decided after considerable debate with myself that sometimes I have to behave like an adult. The decision pained me, but I decided that respecting the intention of the closure was important during this pandemic crisis.

Instead, I contented myself with picking up the trash in the area surrounding the entrance. Even though garbage cans were readily available, apparently it was too much to ask for people to actually use them.

I emptied my now partially filled plastic bag into the garbage can and headed back home with the revised intention of picking up garbage along the side of the road.

I became even more discouraged at the amount of garbage I discovered along the road side. Coffee cups, plastic bottles, pop cans, but especially latex gloves and face masks. It just didn’t end. Why people? Why?

I barely dented the mess before my bag was filled.

The exercise had some important learnings for me – the biggest one being that it was hard work!! … especially as my bag became heavier and heavier. This was definitely not something I would want to do everyday! It reminded me too much of picking up all those damn pine cones that litter my front yard on a regular basis.

I hate {expletive} pine cones … but I digress.

Then I was faced with the problem of what to do with my bag. I was still some distance from home and I wasn’t prepared to drag the bag all the way with me. Even if I did, it would never fit into the tiny garbage can provided by the city.

I reluctantly decided that the ‘best’ solution was to leave the bag beside the garbage can near the bus stop where I had been collecting. I could only hope that garbage collection was going to be soon.

I admit I’m at a bit of a loss right now. I’ve lost the best part of my walk and I now have challenges to resolve in my quest to be a positive example in my small corner of the world. Who knew it would be so hard.

Was it icky to pickup some of this crap? Yes.

Will I do it again? Yes.

What about you? Inspired to make your own little difference in the world?