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Hello again, Readers!
I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the Broken Windows theory lately. I think it stems from feeling overwhelmed a lot of the time and wanting to get back to basics. I first read about the theory in Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “The Tipping Point”. The super condensed version of the theory is that that small changes lead to big changes. For example, in the 1990′s, crime in New York plummeted when officials had all the graffiti on subway trains painted over and when they arrested people for minor infractions such as not paying to ride the subway. (Other factors came into play as well, of course.)
I love the idea that starting from the bottom and dealing with the underlying issues often does more good than trying to solve the big, noticeable problems first. I see this theory at work in my own house when I put a dish in the sink. If I don’t deal with that dish right away, either by washing it or putting it in the dishwasher, before I know it, that one dish has turned into a whole sink full of dishes, which somehow morphs into messy house. As long as I keep my sink clean, everything else seems so much more manageable.
May favorite example: There is an 83-year-old woman named Jackie who lives down the street from me. Jackie is the mother of nine (yes, NINE) children. She says she cheated because she had two sets of twins. Given the fact that she had two sets of twins 18 months apart, I would hardly call that cheating. (I have one 18-month old son and he’s the busiest body I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine having two of him plus two newborns to care for.)
To keep in good health, Jackie walks around the neighborhood each morning while carrying a reaching aid and picks up litter while she exercises. This has made such a noticeable difference in our neighborhood that she once told me that her neighbor came over to check on her to make sure she was ok when he noticed that there was a piece of trash on the road. She has made a significant contribution to our neighborhood by doing a simple thing such as picking up litter while going on her morning walks. I especially love that she’s not really going out of her way to make a difference: she’s just taking something that she’s already doing to the next level.
Is anyone else as inspired by this concept as I am? If so, I have two challenges for you:
1. What can you do to fix a broken window in your life/home/family/community? Maybe it’s finding a moment to meditate each day, going to bed with a clean sink each night, honestly prioritizing your to-do list (and sticking to it!), being completely present with those you associate with, volunteering at your local non-profit, or maybe even picking up a few pieces of litter on your stroll around the block.
2. Is there someone in your life that has dealt with or is dealing with the broken windows in your neighborhood? Will you seek these people out and write them a note of thanks so they know that the work they are doing is noticeable and appreciated?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories about this topic.
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Crystal stops by GiversLog a couple times a month to share her fresh ideas. When she’s not writing for GiversLog, Crystal can be found mothering, knitting, and cooking. Stop by and see some of her handy work at her etsy shop.
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