Mia Raspanti
Asst. News Editor
There are two types of people in this world: those who return their shopping cart after a trip to the store and those who don’t. Majority of people have probably never thought about this and may think this sounds crazy, but all you have to do is give it a bit of thought.
For starters, cart returners are caring. To return your cart back to its rightful spot shows an undying amount of concern for others. By doing this, you make it easier for other individuals to get their hands on a cart. If you return your cart, that means that somebody else won’t have to do it for you. In addition, this prevents a cart from rolling around a parking lot and potentially hitting somebody's car. Why would you want that? Imagine if a shopping cart hit your car and you had to get it fixed. That is entirely inconvenient and an unnecessary expense.
Putting others first is a positive character trait. It represents strong character and proves that you are capable of thinking of others. Little actions like this add to your integrity and build you as a person.
It is so convenient to just leave your shopping cart in the middle of a parking lot. It’s almost too easy. However, how much effort does it take to put it back? In my experience, every cart receptacle I have ever seen has been no more than 25 feet from the parking lot.
Cart returners are regimented in their discipline and selfless acts. Partaking in actions as casual as returning your shopping cart shows an aspect of selflessness and regard for other people. It is genuinely a nice and considerate gesture that the majority of people don’t even consider.
To remove your focus from yourself to that of others is something that will cause a realization as to how important minor acts like this are. The good that you radiate into your surroundings through your actions is reflected through acts that benefit others. As minor and downplayed as this simple act may be, this further adds to the point that returning your shopping cart benefits all parties involved. It makes you a better person and additionally does not inconvenience others or cause them any harm.
The popular saying “you get what you give” can be applied to your own personal life in ways that you may not even know. Supplying convenience and happiness to others, even in ways that aren’t direct, will come back to you. Considering others through small and selfless acts is the first step we can take in order to put good into the world. Considering others in minor ways like this also just overall makes you a respectable and admirable individual.
It can be understood that not everybody is given the circumstances to be able to deliver their shopping cart after its use. Whether it be having a young child or a disability, the message being portrayed here isn’t that putting your shopping cart is a personal attribute that makes or breaks you. It is inevitable that there are people who are unable to do this that furthermore adds to our responsibility to do them the favor and return their cart for them. This, too, takes little to no effort and continues to benefit all parties involved. You just helped somebody out and their day was made just a little bit easier.
Life is beautiful because of minor intricate moments of selflessness through actions like this. Remember that there can always be room made to be a better person and make the world a little brighter.