Two Pieces

“Just two pieces….”  Ten year old Dahnaj took the microphone and stared out at 700 people who packed the Collingswood Theater for the annual UrbanPromise Banquet. 

“There’s a lot of trash around where I live...but, not as much as there used to be,” he began, exhaling slowly.  “One day our neighbor from just two houses down came up to us and asked us to pick up two pieces of trash everyday to help keep the neighborhood clean.”  The crowd listened intently as our speaker continued to share his story.

“Ever since, me and my sister are doing it.  We’ve picked up two pieces every day….just think, what if everyone in Camden picked up just two pieces of trash every day?”

Over the past few months Dahnaj has been making a difference in his neighborhood—and he is inspiring others to do the same.  Now there is a cadre of children picking up “just two pieces.”  Our city is being changed…one piece of trash at a time.

I wonder how different the world would be if all received Dahnaj’s challenge?  Picking up two pieces of trash, giving two hugs, sharing two unsolicited smiles with strangers, sending two encouraging notes to friends?  Pick your own “two pieces” and make your world a better place. 

Dr. Bruce Main
President, UrbanPromise International