February 13, 2007
Tuesday AM

I just finished reading Gretchen Klein's letter to Sitnews dated February 11, 2007 where she stated "However, we can't be afraid because someone might think we are out there picking up garbage because the court told us to."

I thought that being concerned about what others think about us should have fallen by the wayside about the time we graduated from high school. You can't control what people think, so why would you let what you think they think, control your everyday actions? Let's see, I can't go into town as someone might think I was going in to get crack cocaine. I can't stop by the Salvation Army to look for bargains because people might think I don't have the money to buy new stuff. I can't model in the Wearable arts show as people may think my outfit is as crazy as I am (although there were some funny outfits). The list for not doing something is as great as your imagination.

Why let YOUR thought of what someone may think control you? Ever consider they may be weirder than you are?

For the most part, what people think of you doesn't matter, your actions DO! This is what you shall be known by.

I think President Theodore Roosevelt said it best on April 23, 1910 in his Citizenship in a Republic Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, when he said;

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

I was out on Saturday working with three great kids from Youth Court who worked for peanuts, (actually snickers miniature candy bars I had for added energy as they burned up a lot), and I hope they had a good time. They worked hard and cleaned up messes that the slobs over the years have created. I was able to find out what their plans for the future were and learn about their aspirations. I know what they can do when they have the opportunity and direction. If I ran a business and wanted someone to work for me this summer, it would be a good chance to see them work in another situation. You also get to appreciate someone else's sense of humor. While carrying truck parts to the collection area, Zack Stewart said "Someone sure hated his truck!" As you can see, the truck was in many pieces and scattered at two different locations ( a frame section is in the back on photo 2).

When we came back into town I was amazed by how much trash was collected by the group in Gretchen's photo. They also did a great job.

I know at least one professional person in town that is very active in picking up trash in the community and I am sure he doesn't waste his time worrying about what anyone thinks of him while he is picking up the litter scattered along S. Tongass.

To many people who have helped with clean ups, what may have started as a chore, turns into a reward for their service to the community and they are better for it.

If you know of anyone that thinks any less of someone picking up trash in this community, ask them what they did that day to make this a better community.

I agree with President Roosevelt, I would rather be in the company of those that dared and have tried and experienced failure than be with those timid souls that fear doing anything.

Jerry Cegelske
KGB Code Enforcement Officer
Ketchikan, AK


Received February 12, 2007 - Published February 13, 2006

About: "Jerry Cegelske has had the pleasure and received the rewards of being associated with the great people that are working to make Ketchikan a cleaner place to live."

 

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