Observations On a Walk

an·o·mie {ˈanəmē}

a sense of alienation from society, characterized by feelings of hopelessness, loss of purpose, and isolation:

Oxford Languages Dictionary

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.                                                                                 Matthew 10:29-31

I walk- a lot. It is a daily routine for me and for my health, both physical and emotional, but that is a story for another day. As I walk around neighborhoods, I see litter- trash- in gulleys, near a drainage ditch, on the sidewalk, and even in driveways. I just don’t get it.

Yes, this is a bit of a rant of an older man who is decrying a lost value of simple respect for the environment, and a lost respect for social norms that should preclude such rude and thoughtless behavior.  

What is it that informs such behavior? Is it mere thoughtlessness? Selfishness? A sense of    entitlement? Or is it a loss of caring for our community? If it is a lessening of care, or even of hope, I become very discouraged.

Perhaps people feel that what they do makes no difference to anyone else.  In that case, it may point to a larger problem of people feeling that they have no impact on their environment. The great sociologist, Emile Durkheim coined a term for this. He called it anomie.

Indeed, perhaps a deeper dive may indicate that people do not value themselves enough, so of course they would not value their environment. We must remember that God has placed high value on His creation.

Honoring ourselves and our environment honors Him.

Prayer: Lord, help restore a sense of value for ourselves and our environment, Amen