The joy of serving others

The recycling bin slalom of Clacton

The other day, on my walk to the gym, I noticed four recycling containers had been blown onto the road by the wind.

Normally, I’d just pick them up and place them back on the pavement. But this time, with a hint of curiosity, I decided to watch and see what would happen.

The first car approached slowly, weaving carefully between the boxes. Then another. And another. By the fourth car, I’d started timing them. Each driver took around 15 to 20 seconds to navigate the recycling slalom—nearly 70 seconds in total spent avoiding a problem that could be solved in far less time.

Then came a Good Samaritan.

They stopped their car, got out, and with a smile, picked up all four containers and placed them neatly on the pavement. It took them about 20 seconds, less than a third of the time it had taken the others just to drive around them.

It was such a small act, but it felt like a symbol of something bigger. Four people managed the inconvenience without removing it. One person quietly took it away for everyone.

I’m not here to judge the drivers who didn’t stop—who knows what was going on in their day. But I did notice the quiet joy on the Samaritan’s face, and the ripple of good that followed.

The small things that change the atmosphere

It reminded me that every day we’re presented with moments like this, little chances to make things better. To take the small extra step. To choose action over avoidance. It could be holding a door, smiling at a stranger, offering your seat, checking in on someone, picking up litter, or yes, moving recycling boxes from the road.

I can think of plenty of times I’ve chosen the easy thing over the better thing. But I also know that life feels richer when we do the small good. These acts compound. They shape the energy of the spaces we share. And the opposite is true as well.

The world can feel frantic. Communities can feel frayed. The big fixes are complicated, but the small ones are always within reach. We can start with a pause, a gesture, a willingness to do a little more than we have to. There’s real joy in that.

Thank you for reading, take care, and good luck with everything you’re focused on.

Benjamin