We’ve all heard it from time to time – particularly from our parents: “It wasn’t like this in my day”!
Societal decay is a term used to describe the tendency for a society to decline or disintegrate over time. Whether it’s through the influence of economics, violent crime, cultural ‘reform’, over-population, industrialisation, Left or Right wing politics, corruption, pollution, deforestation … All these things – and more – can play their part. And societal decay is something that can happen under our noses, seemingly unnoticed. As Albert Einstein is credited with saying – ‘The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything’.
While I don’t want to start sounding like an ‘oldie’, in my time I’ve had a fair amount of exposure to the blacker sides of society. As a child, I experienced first-hand the destructive effect of a decade that suffered the highest rates of divorce on record. And as an adult, I’ve served in domestic and international security, the military and the Federal Police. In these careers I’ve occasionally seen the best in people. For example, the comradery that exists among first responders – whether military or civilian – is, in my experience second to none. But regrettably, the professionals operating in these careers are commonly called upon to deal with circumstances that have brought individuals to the attention of authorities for the wrong reasons. And often, it’s downright disturbing.
It’s with this in mind that I was heartened today to see a string of examples of people putting something positive back into society, rather than dragging it down.
For example, walking to a mates place, we took a slow meander through the nature reserve and the handful of suburban streets that lie between our place and his. On our way to a local venue for a Mother’s Day lunch, we rounded a corner to find a raised garden bed bursting with parsley, basil, chives, chilli and more. Now, in our town, the sight of a verge-side veggie garden is not unusual (we have one in our own front yard). But what did surprise us was the inviting sign that said “FREE HERBS”. Complete with a pair of scissors so we could help ourselves without damaging the plants for the next passer-by. Here was a great example of someone giving back to their local community.
Again, a little later in the day after lunch, I experienced another lift to my spirits outside a nearby pub. Located in a precinct that had recently had an urban face-lift, the pub had a small outside play area close by. And it was clear that the designer of this compact amenity had his or her heart in a really good place when the space was set up. There was a signpost for toddlers telling them that there were four (painted) Gang-Gang Cockatoos somewhere in the play area – Could they find them all? And, in among the raised planter beds was a Street Library inviting anyone interested to take a second-hand book for free, return it, swap it, or do as they please. While these little design touches weren’t much in the big scheme of things, it was encouraging to see the designer giving something back to a community.
Add to all this, yesterday I saw a little boy drop a $5 note – and then witnessed a teenager walking behind immediately respond by picking up the money and returning it to the kid.
These small events on a day-to-day basis have more significance than any one of them has in isolation. Many of us may be familiar with the phrase “the standard you walk past is the standard you accept”.
While it’s worthwhile to reflect (at anytime) that our day-to-day actions really can make a difference, this is probably the right week to be bringing this thought to the forefront of our minds. With the polling booths open next Saturday, we all have a responsibility to do the right thing by making a responsible vote for the Party that we think will create the conditions for a positive society – and not further fuel the circumstances that contribute to its decay. Meanwhile, have a think about whether you’re taking all the little opportunities that come your way, everyday, to do the right thing. Whether it’s by recycling your garbage, not littering, reporting crime, helping someone less fortunate than yourself, planting a tree for the benefit of future generations, opening your own Street Library…. There’s lots we can all do.
And if we all did the right thing - because it’s the right thing to do - society would have far less need for people like me to take-up careers in domestic and international security, less need for prison guards, less need for street sweepers, etc, etc – and more time and space to be getting-on with something that engages an altogether more creative set of skills.
I, for one, would appreciate that.
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