People of all walks life are waking up.
I even believe that even groups like antifa are waking up and loosing their members. Their numbers at the violent protests are no bigger than the turnout at a Beto rally.
Then you look at any Trump rally its filled with hope, pride, self worth and bright future in the light.
I stood waiting for a light to cross the street yesterday. I was surrounded by unwrapped MCDonalds straws. No doubt someone took a handful and then just tossed them on the street.
I stood there embarrassed with all the cars driving by, I had this feeling of i'm not a garbage picker, they pay people to cleanup the streets, I don't even have gloves to pick them up. What about the cars its kinda busy in this intersection.
Then I realized I have nothing, I don't live with self pride I feel the world is broken so I start picking up the straws on the sidewalk and work closer to the street and then something happened.
An elderly couple watching from the red light seen me and as soon as the light changed they drove up put their 4 way flashers on and handed me their little car sized garbage bag. I picked every straw up and placed the bag in the trashcan 20 feet away.
This all took about 3-5 mins from me deliberating about picking up trash, to another couple protecting me to grab the remaining 20-50 straws off the road.
I now have Pride in my fellow man and I now know WE ARE NOT ALONE.
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[–] 20883029? 0 points 32 points 32 points (+32|-0) ago (edited ago)
I know you blessed that elderly couple by doing what you did as much as they blessed you. What great teamwork, the younger and more agile acts while the elders assist. This is how it’s supposed to work. WWG1WGA
There were others who saw you too, I’m sure, thanks for sharing.
[–] 20884418? 0 points 10 points 10 points (+10|-0) ago
I can confirm this thing you verbalized so beautifully. I was once cleaning up the side of a road near me that was always littered really badly with trash. There was no sidewalk and the road was a winding 2 lane road. As I was doing this, I had an older gentleman pull over near me to give me a bright orange mesh safety vest he carried in his trunk. He gave it to me as a safety measure and as a way of saying thanks.
What you said about the elders assisting is spot on, thank you (and OP!) for reminding me of this.
[–] 20892082? 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Another great example, thanks for what you did. Our elders acted in their day the best they knew how, They are now chomping at the bit to assist us, the moment they see us act they’ll do what they can to help. Be sure to thank them and acknowledge their contribution. I guarantee they were either veterans or were married to veterans.
[–] 20883608? 0 points 14 points 14 points (+14|-0) ago
Just yesterday I heard a couple of guys in the office talking. For the past 3 years it has been shitting on Trump any time I pass by. Yesterday, the words out of their mouths were "what the hell are the Democrats doing? They don't have anybody who can beat Trump".
[–] 20883363? 1 point 14 points 15 points (+15|-1) ago
This is white privilege, taking enough pride in your world to clean up after those who do not.
[–] 20882965? 0 points 14 points 14 points (+14|-0) ago
Good job on pushing aside those inner self-arguments and acting. Overcoming that is what separates heroes who act vs those who freeze when action is needed. That experience will embolden you for the next time you’re in a situation where action is needed, false pride wont stop you.
[–] 20884995? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
You threw yourself selflessly on those straws before they accomplished their mission - next you will find and detain that straw bandit, patriot
[–] 20898589? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Just be thankful you weren't caught with those illegal straws in your possession. No judge would have believed you were just cleaning up.
[–] 20883349? 0 points 12 points 12 points (+12|-0) ago
Yes, change is happening. It starts with you. And it's infectious.
[–] 20884398? 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Isn't that the truth
[–] 20882922? 0 points 11 points 11 points (+11|-0) ago
I was thinking about this the other day.
People who want to look like they are good people waste their breath and tears yelling, screaming, calling names, crying, playing victim and trying to garner sympathy for all sorts of bad things...hate, racism, sexism, abuse, the environment, politics...(Lookin' at Antifa, people like Greta and AOC, those types) But that never changes anyone's mind. It keeps everyone at a stalemate. They only do this to gain themselves attention and praise, or to pick a fight with someone for the excuse of hurting them "in the name of something good"
Human nature works opposite of this. For people to make real change in behavior, and to start working together to confront REAL issues (not made up ones), there must be meek and silent people who perform positive actions in plain sight....other humans will look at them being brave and starting the action all on their own...It causes people to swallow their ego and ask themselves, "hey, why couldn't have I been the one to just shut up and take positive action?" They say, what the heck, if they can do it, I can too. And it starts a chain reaction of people working together to discover alternative solutions to problems. The key word being together...we cant get anywhere if we are fighting eachother. They want us in opposition, because then we are truly crippled.
Great job on your positive action, and for inspiring others, even if it's a small gesture. All large change comes from tiny incremental pieces, like what you did. You pushed the first domino.
[–] 20884751? 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Scott Pressler takes this thought to action -- cleaned up Baltimore and L.A. homeless camps, and continues to do so. Good for you!
[–] 20883003? 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
Good job anon. It starts within. It's in our DNA.