The above quote — or some variation of it — can be attributed to many people. Leader of the Scout Movement Robert Baden-Powell. Novelist and poet Paul Aster. The Science Guy Bill Nye. Fantasy author Sarah J. Maas. Even mixed martial arts fighter Ronda Rousey.
To simply say those words is one thing, though. To do them is quite another.
When we leave a job, is the position or the company better than it was when we started? Or do we leave things in shambles for the next person?
When we sell or give something to someone else, do we clean it up and make it look good first? Or do we slough those chores off on the next owner?
When we leave a campsite, a restaurant or even a parking lot, do we put things back the way they were, or do we leave our messes for others to deal with?
I know I can certainly do better, but I try to leave this world a little better than I found it, and I encourage others to do the same. That ruffles the feathers of some folks, but I have decided that’s OK, as the end result seems worth it, at least to me.
The real question is, why are some people inclined to leave this world a little better than they found it, and others are not? Were we taught to do this by our parents? A feeling of guilt if we don’t do it? An obsessive-compulsive disorder? All of the above?
I have learned to stay clear of people who say, “It’s not my problem anymore.” That selfish point of view is what we need less of in our world, in our communities, in our workplaces and in our homes. Unfortunately, it is quite common.
As with most things in life, the little things add up to big things. Picking up trash on the sidewalk. Pushing a chair back in at the table. Putting a shopping cart back in the corral. The list goes on, and these small efforts most certainly lead to larger and more important ones, too.
What do you think? What other things — large or small — can we all do to leave this world a little better than we found it? Send me a note and let me know.
Have a great week, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 | 
