Leave it Better

January 23, 2018
3:24 p.m.

"Leave it better than you found it."

One of the better life lessons taught to me by my parents, beginning at a very young age, I have tried my darnedest to always leave things better than I found them.

This is an all-inclusive command. It encompasses everything--homes, cars, property, even people.

Your car breaks down, and you absolutely have to get to work over the next few days while it is being repaired. Your generous friend offers to loan you their car.

You pick it up. It has less than a half-tank of gas and there are take-out wrappers scattered throughout. But--hey! It runs, and it gets you to work every day.

Your car is ready. You return your friends car. Do you

A. Return it with an empty gas tank?

B. Return it exactly as it was when you took it?

C. Wash it, clean out the interior and return it with a full tank of gas?

The answer is C. Of course it's C. By gosh, they let you use their car in your hour of need! Even if you can't afford to fill it up, you better return it with at least as much gas as it had when you took it, and clean it! And if your friend says, "Oh, you didn't have to do that!" you graciously reply, "It's the least I could do. I appreciate you for letting me use your car."

Duh!

A friend loans you a book. Your toddler writes in it. You buy your friend a new copy of the book. Because--duh!

You rent a house. Even though it doesn't belong to you, it is your obligation to keep it in good condition. Go above and beyond. With permission, of course, you can upgrade the paint job or repair a window sill.

If you break it, fix it. If you drop it, pick it up. If you take it, replace it.

Respect. It all boils down to respect. If you want the respect of others, you must show them the respect you'd like to receive yourself.

We were put on this good earth to live. Everything we do on this land has consequences. So if you chop down a tree, plant a new one. If you see litter in the street, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Don't contribute to the landfill if you can find alternative, compostable products instead of plastic. Walk more, drive less, use public transportation when available.

Leave a smaller footprint. There are lots of feet coming up behind you, and the children walking on those feet will need fresh water, food and clean air.

We have to live among other people. Unless you have access to a cave in the wilderness, you are going to have to deal with other people.

Here's another thing I learned from my parents: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Blow that, and whatever else you ever do, that bitter first look is what will always be remembered.

Knowing that, we should try to live each encounter with others as if it is the first encounter, and always with the goal of making a good first impression.

Yeah, I know. Impossible. But, goals, man. There's no reason why we can't set some reasonable goals for ourselves and strive to reach them.

Be nice. Be respectful of your fellow man, your neighbor, your family. Be respectful of your property and the property of others.

Be nice.

Leave everything and everyone better.

That is all.