This morning while I was out for my morning run, I saw a man walking his dog along one of Toronto’s many trails and picking up garbage. This is not the first time I have seen an individual or a group of people voluntarily picking up garbage in one of Toronto’s public spaces.

Three emotions tend to precede these sightings:

• The first is of appreciation for the individuals contributing to making our city parks and trails beautiful.
• The second is of affection for our beautiful city and the many kind-hearted individuals this city attracts.
• The third is of guilt, since I reap the benefits of their actions, but am not helping.

Since I am so appreciative of the individuals that pick up the garbage, I always say thank you. Then, I feel guilty because my thank you is meaningless. While I don’t contribute to the garbage, I do not make a monthly habit of walking the trails picking up garbage.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), my guilt is powerful. After seeing these individuals on the trails, I will go back out at some point that day with my compostable garbage back and walk at least 1km of trail picking up any garbage that I see.

A reminder that “little things make big things happen” John Wooden

When I went back out this afternoon to pick up garbage, I saw another man walking his dog. After his dog finished doing his business, this man chose to kick leaves over it instead of picking up after his dog. I yelled, “I hope you step in #*?!” All those earlier emotions flew out of me. A few moments later, I reminded myself that not everyone is like the man who didn’t pick up after his dog, and if I at least let him know that I saw what he did (not necessarily with the outburst I chose), then I might still be contributing to change.

#Be the Change