So I just finished picking up trash in the neighborhood. I started at the front door of CTTP and worked my way up Masonic. As it turned out, I only had to go about ten feet before I met my goal of 10 pieces, but when I got there I kept going until my grocery-turned-trash bag was full. I don't know why exactly; once I got started it just felt like the right thing to do.

A few thoughts about the experience:

1) There's a lot more trash on Masonic Ave. than I realized and it tends to overflow into people's driveways. Yuck!

2) A lot of that trash (maybe 10%) is coffee-related stuff from our shop. How embarassing! It got me thinking that maybe we should put a trash can outside our door (or better yet, get the city to put a trash can on the corner).

3) Most of the "trash" was actually recyclable. So, next time I do this I'm going to bring two bags: one for recyclables and one for garbage.

4) Picking up trash is actually a surprisingly good work-out. In no time at all I was breaking into a sweat and feeling more relaxed.

So, all in all, a very positive experience.

Happy giving!