It has been quite the shift from the slow-moving, quiet pace of Randolph, KS to the heart of bustle and action in Manhattan, KS! At my apartment complex it wouldn’t be hard to guess that I’ve got the other tenants beat by at least ten years (at a minimum) in age. It would be easy to get grouchy at the initial shock of remembering how messy college life was and the at times lack of awareness that comes with youth.
In visiting with my girlfriend, Gabs, I decided I’d just worry about what I had in my immediate control, my little front porch! That night we went and bought the most adorable doormat at Target! Along with the doormat, I also swept and washed the front porch and door in front of my apartment. I kept this routine up and even added a stunning purple-flowering plant (Go Cats). Shortly, after a few days we suddenly saw a doormat appear at one of the other apartments in our complex. Then, suddenly another, then another. Until here recently, every apartment had a doormat; then I also started noticing our younger neighbors picking up a little more.
The next mission was the absolute disaster of a dumpster. First, week it was an explosion and litter that had accumulated clearly from years of neglect. It was like this the majority of the summer and got even worse once students started moving back in early August. Putting on my muck boots (it was a trash pit behind that dumpster) I scraped and scooped up old trash; picked up blown-in trash; and pulled weeds. I also started condensing boxes and trash so it was organized and easier for the trash hauler. After a few weeks, we noticed a much greater care around the dumpster. Bags were now tied up, boxes had been broken down or neatly stacked.
This whole process taught us something very powerful…at times others need to see care to care! When, I started to show care for my little space, it gave permission for others to follow suit; when I showed care to a neglected part of the complex suddenly others saw it and did their small parts, but someone had to start. Change can become contagious if we start with ourselves and start with what is in our control — sometimes it just starts with a doormat!
Thank you to everyone for the well wishes on the first few months on the new job; it has been a blessing beyond anything I could have imagined! God is Good; have a blessed rest of your weekend and thanks for reading!
Take care, Anthony
Perennial Educator 