Alderperson Vaya Jones' (District 10) Invocation At 12/07/2022 Common Council Meeting

[I don't often comment on alderperson invocations, but I must say I never in a million years expected to hear an Appleton alderperson give an invocation that could have come straight from Matt Walsh. Some issues truly are completely non-partisan.]

Mayor Woodford: Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Jones.

Alderperson Vaya Jones (District 10): I start tonight's meeting with a very, very important and vital question I have for you to ask yourselves: what do you do with your shopping cart? Yeah, shopping cart. Yep. Do you always put it back? Do you leave it for some random associate to wrangle? Do you park it on an island so you're kind of bringing it back?

This is a simple shopping cart. It's an—it's an unspoken social contract that states while we may not go out of our way to assist someone, the very least we should not behave in a way that actively impedes the lives of others. By not returning your cart, you're making a clear statement that your life is more important than other’s lives, your schedule is more important, you're above that social contract. While the shopping cart task may see simple, it is a much larger representation for how we approach our work, our personal lives, and more.

As we are ramping up into the December season, it is easy to get caught up in the stress and the drama and exhaustion of the holidays, while we run ourselves ragged trying to be filled with the spirit of the season. As you go about the month, I urge you: return your cart. Literally metaphorically, symbolically. Take that extra step to show others grace and kindness.

Recognize that we are all in this together. There are lots of schedules, lots of people are busy, everyone matters. And we can do more when we put our needs in the backseat from time to time. And don't try and say that you shop at Aldi and always return your cart because you totally get your 25 cents back. So, thank you.