Leave A Trace
I’m an avid camper, hiker and backpacker and while in camp or on the trail I often encounter items left behind that don’t belong in nature. These include things like:
Aluminum cans
Waste paper and plastic
Metal objects
Assorted trash, and my favorite,
Deflated helium balloons from far away
When I encounter these items, my initial reactions are not ones I’d like to admit. These include things like:
Disgust
Anger
Judgement
But my love for God‘s creation often takes over and I ask myself, “Should I stop and pick this up?”
My answer depends on where I am. If there’s a lot of trash around, I think, “I’ll be doing this all day.“ But if it’s at a remote trail or campsite, I’ll stick it in my pocket. But even then, I don’t always stop.
Yesterday while hiking, my attitude was put to the test when I came upon an abandoned doggy poop bag. It had clearly been there several days and not likely to be retrieved anytime soon. Two steps later, I stopped and turned around.
Such decisions I believe make a difference, not only on the environment but also to my soul. It allows me to exercise my ability to choose how I think about the world around me. I can choose good or evil, to help or to walk away, to forgive or to condemn, or to make a difference.
When I choose to make the world a better place I think less about myself and am more able to respond to the love in my heart - for the environment, for the world, and for those who come before and after me.
Even though I fumble, I choose to leave a positive trace whenever and wherever I can.
