Many of you who follow the blog will know I walk daily. During those walks I see kindness, occasional selfishness, and some law-breaking. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day offers a real window into the world.
Part of the inspiration for this post came from watching an older gentleman picking up litter outside his house. So much rubbish had been dropped outside his property and neighboring homes. The poor bloke could barely bend down, yet there he was, clearing it up. I had a brief chat with him to check if he needed a hand. He was very community spirited though you cannot say the same for those throwing all the fast food wrappers from their cars.
Oddly enough, I’ve noticed more and more public litter picking lately. Two questions come to mind: why is so much litter being dropped in the first place, and are council resources sufficient to control it? Rubbish/littering seems to be a big issue in my area.
I’ve seen everything from open drug use and fly-tipping to dangerous driving on pavements while our walking.
On a brighter note, there are some positives. I’ve also recently seen the community pull together to fundraise for a local charity. It’s a brilliant example of community spirit, people working together to make a positive change and supporting one another.
When I am out walking, many people will offer a warm greeting, and a simple hello and a smile go a long way when you’re out and about. Of course, some prefer to keep to themselves, which I completely understand. But it makes such a brilliant difference when someone takes the initiative to say hello. I try to do that as much as possible.
Local small businesses are another vital part of community spirit. It makes such a difference when you’re welcomed with a friendly smile that includes a brief chat. My local florist/coffee shop is a good example of this.
I also cannot forget the kindness of a lady in a local library last year. They were selling £1 books and I wanted to buy a couple. It was cash only and faced with only having electronic means to pay, the lady stepped in. So kind.
BUT… the purpose of this post is to ask: do you think true community spirit still exists in the UK? I believe it does, though perhaps not to the degree it once did. In many cases, we have community-minded individuals stepping up to handle things they shouldn’t have to, if only we all did this?
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