Living by our social contract

I was fortunate enough to spend the first two weeks of August in Yosemite. It was peaceful and quiet, and gave me time to recharge my batteries, appreciate the wonders of Yosemite and of course, pick up litter. Three years ago, I volunteered at Yosemite to do trail work, fix fences and basically do whatever they needed. We stayed in an area that had about six large campsites, provided only for volunteers to stay in. Camp hosts stay there during the spring and summer, typically in two-month stints. While I was working there, I befriended Patty, the camp host at the time. She invited me back, which I have taken advantage of over the past couple of years. This year, I was asked to step in and fill a camp host spot that became unexpectedly vacant. The calendar was light, so for 11 glorious days, I enjoyed a part of the park the public does not have access to, with a private beach and two bikes to get around on. You're probably wondering what the heck this has to do with a social contract, and what in the heck is a social contract? Well, let me tell you. While picking up litter, a ranger came by and thanked me. We ended up talking for some time. He said we are all born into this world with a social contract and asked me if I knew what that was. My guess was manners, to which he said "Ding-Ding! You nailed it. It's about stopping at stop signs, treating people with respect and kindness, and not littering, to mention a few. If we all followed the social contract, think about what a different world this would be." That really stayed with me. So, I want to share the concept of a social contract with my readers in hopes that you too will pass on this concept to your children and grandchildren and live by it yourself if you aren't already. While fulfilling my social contract in Yosemite, I was fortunate to meet many people from around the world and our country. Some were surprised at how much litter they saw, some thanked me for what I was doing, and some even shared their exotic meals with me. What I noticed was when I was in an area with picnic tables where families were sharing a meal, they would see me picking up litter and be sure their table was immaculate when they left. It was like my unspoken social contract reached them without any effort on my behalf. This reminds me of when I went to Nevada City years ago and noticed a huge influx of tourists and their not-so-nice driving skills. I asked a store clerk how she felt about it, and she said, "I drive like I want them to drive." That seems like another way of living up to your social contract by setting/being the example. Times are tough for a lot of people. Living up to your social contract during these times can mean more than you'll ever know. Let's all take a deep breath, think about the beauty and miracle of Yosemite, and remember we're all in this together. Remember to spread kindness like it's confetti and to Pack it in, Pick it up, Pack it out. Every Litter Bit Counts! Kristi Meyer is a Realtor at Granite Real Estate in Auburn. She has been serving the foothills for 20 years. If you have questions about real estate or need a Realtor you can call or text her at 916-847-5128 or email her at ItMattersToKristi@gmail.com.