Can you believe that we’re into September? Are you “bring on the pumpkin spice” in August, or are you “happy to wait for fall y’all”? Whatever camp you fall into, I hope you’re considering spending some time with us in Central Oregon this fall. 

My brother and I have an ongoing chat about what defines character. He calls it the grocery cart test. I refer to it as the poo test. He says he watches people in grocery store parking lots to see what they do with their grocery cart after they’re done shopping. Some folks walk it all the way back to the store. Others take the time to walk it to the nearest cart-sorting area. Then there are those who look side to side, then simply leave their carts abandoned in the lot, near their car. Darn, which one are you? I use a similar test of character when it comes to picking up dog poo. This has become especially illustrative because I’ve moved recently and there’s a lot of construction going on around me. I walk my sweet lab about three times a day, to stretch our legs in what would otherwise be a lot of desk work, and so she can do her business. No one is around where we walk. I could, like many others, just leave the poo. But I don’t. I walk around with one of those little bags and scoop up the poo, transport it home, and toss it out. 

Why are these acts important? Because actions, when no one else might see them, define your character. What you do when no one else is watching is who you are. Turns out, whether or not you put away your shopping cart or pick up your poo says a lot about your character. Not because these small tasks are difficult, but because they say a lot about work ethic, values, and  your personality. Are you leaving the world just a bit better, even when no one is looking? Do you throw litter out your window because “no one is around” or do you speak ill of others when your tummy says no? Pay attention to these little acts and see what matters to you. 

In a world of social media, we’re constantly comparing. We engage in behaviors or acts of service, at times, for accolades. But would you do those things if no one knew? If no one said, “Hey, that’s beautiful,” or “You’re so generous,” or “I appreciate that,” would you still do it? 

Anyway, those are my ponderings as I walk Penny, pick up the poo, and head home. I’m really not trying to be self-righteous. I’m sure there are a lot of habits I have that annoy others. I’m simply trying to raise our collective awareness to what matters and, I believe, little behaviors over time add up to who we are…even when no one is looking. 

And if you’re grocery shopping outside of Atlanta, Georgia, watch what you do with your grocery cart, because my brother is noticing.