I went to a local park yesterday and saw two thing that piqued my interest. One was a box at the entry to the park. I drove by this several times and assumed it was a trail map case where maps are posted behind a glass door to protect them from the weather. So I parked the car and walked back to the park entrance only to find that this was what the box actually was
Well that is kind of nice but a few things struck me as odd. First the placement. This is at the entry to the park off a road that in time will become busier and busier. If you pull into the park to use the box, whether as a contributor or a customer, there is no place to park. You would have to drive into the park and walk back – not a terrible thing but not exactly convenient. But oh well, so you have to walk back. But what actually disturbed me was when I looked inside the box and saw used goods inside. Half empty jars and bottles and bags of items. For many years, I worked at the Salvation Army and we had food drives and this used to drive me (and everyone else there) crazy. I did not look to see if the can goods in the box were expired but that would not surprise me either as that was another thing we had to check during the food drives.
So I continued my exploration of the park and noticed this down one of the paths
Well, this seems kind of nice….hmmmm….maybe? Is it me or is it sort of ironic that to participate in a mindful experience you have to take out your cell phone and scan a code to watch a video when you can easily sit on the bench (there is a bench next to the sign) and actually SEE the things in person? Did I mention this mindfulness station was in the middle of a wooded area? Not to mention that many people do not have this technology. That is besides the point. Well, maybe it’s just me but it struck me kind of funny.
Well, the intentions for all these things were meant to be positive so I will just have to go along with that thought.
Diane Podolsky 
Good intentions but poorly executed! How odd!
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What a shock! As a retired city case worker … I was constantly amazed at many “do gooder” actions. I always privately checked out and sorted donations before sending them forth. Rather than throw something out, that required throwing out, people would donate the stuff to the “less fortunate” and actually felt good about themselves!
Gently used or bought, but never used is the phrase for clothing … not barely ready for the rag bag. The half-eaten food … I have no words. Sorry, just had to vent …
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My thoughts are, it’s a little too much self satisfaction happening in that blessing box and I hate how it reveals a contempt for others disguised as caring. And I also think a lot of people need to be told what to think pretty much minute by minute. Which is also sad.
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