“Is your litter-picking actually ever going to change anything?”

Good evening, good morning, good day. Whether you have arrived at this page by intention or happenstance, thank you. I hope that what you find in this blog encourages you simply to think. Be it that you feel kinship with or an urge to contest the simple views shared through these words, I encourage you to explore your feelings and run with them, just to see where they take you.

Can one person really ever change the world? The answer does of course, as would seem to be the case with nigh on all things, depend on what is actually meant by the question. The beauty of language is that it is possible to infinitely express ideas and feelings with a seemingly finite number of so-called ‘official’ words. Opening the other hand to reveal a likelihood to restrict understanding in equal measure is simply a representation of the fundamental laws that govern existence itself. As the previous sentence itself shows, words can be overused and conveyance of meaning diminished. If the question seeks to ascertain whether or not one person has the ability to click their fingers and make the world a better place, it is one that should surely be met with a clear and cold no. However, if we extend the period of observation to something even a fraction longer than the question supposedly and perhaps even intends to allow, it becomes abundantly clear that yes the actions of one person can, if not will, undoubtedly change the world. I concede that the actions of this one person in isolation are unlikely to change the mindset of enough people across the world, let alone the institutions in place designed to uphold the status-quo. This one person can, however, cast a stone across a lake and with it upset the ‘accepted balance’ in causing ripples. One person meandering across the common with a litter-picker is never going to clean up the oceans, but what about the tens or hundreds of other wanderers who witness this reasonably uncommon act and think twice next time about tossing their butts or bottle caps on the floor? Entertain me in imagining that one of these distanced observers even decides to take to the streets themselves. After the actions of just one, a discernible ripple appears.

Next time you are in the car, try something to test this out. Go absolutely out of your way to let another motorist out of a junction or road. In my experience this person will pass on the good will to another stranger with heart-warming and frankly alarming haste. This is the power of one person’s consideration and more importantly motivation to act. The capability to catalyse change lies in each of us - once you commit, you will make a difference.