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MARCH 2026
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THE EVERYDAY CRAFT OF COURTESY KINDNESS CONNECTS
Have you noticed how transactional many of our interactions with other people have become?
My family and I went to St. Augustine around Christmas, and it felt like a million people were there. We had a wonderful time, but it was hard not to notice people cutting each other off, bumping into each other, or being generally aloof about those around them. My takeaway? Too many people move through the day without a passing thought for people nearby, or they interact with one another without expressing genuine interest or care. More recently, I was reminded of this fact again while studying the golden rule in Bible class at church. The concept of doing to others what you would have them do to you is as valuable today as it has always been, especially considering that National Common Courtesy Day is on March 21. I can’t say I always get it right, but I strive to be courteous to others in my day- to-day life. I’ve always been a big “please” and “thank you” person, and I like to look people in the eye, say “hello,” and smile. It doesn’t take much to do these things; it’s simple to let someone go in front of you or hold the door open for someone. No matter how busy we are, we always have a second or two to be welcoming toward someone else or do something nice for them. My decades in business have gone a long way in strengthening my belief in goodwill. Landscaping can be complicated at times, and it’s common for additional work and unexpected issues to arise as we work to make a client’s property as beautiful as possible. If I see something extra that needs to be done, I do it at no extra charge. I generally err on the side of being generous rather than grubby or nitpicky with people who would never be that way with me. I’m proud to say my children have already embraced this philosophy. They do a great job of saying “please,” “thank you,” and “may I …” to the wait staff when we go out to eat, and Gavin is the first person to hold the restaurant door open for other diners. If he sees something he can do for someone else, he just does it. It’s a wonderful thing to see. Of course, we will inevitably encounter situations that test our patience, and common courtesy is more challenging to remember. However, these are the times when we need to strive to be as empathetic, understanding, and courteous as we can. I’m sure we’ve been on a customer service call and become frustrated by what we were hearing on the other end. Well, my wife, Megan, worked in customer service for State Farm years ago, before we were
married. People would call and yell at her about their rate increases, even though she was the last person with any control over that matter.
I never forgot the stories she told me or how those angry customers made her feel, so I do what I can to be a little extra kind and considerate when I speak with a customer service representative or anyone who’s simply trying to do their job well. When our patience does fail, and we let emotions outweigh our courtesy, we can seize the moment as a learning opportunity and commit to being better next time.
This National Common Courtesy Day, join me in being more mindful of the people we meet on our daily travels and in spreading a little more politeness and positivity whenever we can. And expect a smile and a “hello” the next time you see me.
Robert Burns
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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL
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MINDFUL PATHS, ENDURING TRUTHS PRINCIPLES FOR LASTING SUCCESS
The Law of Least Effort As a professional landscaper, I’ve learned that nature works best when you don’t force it. For example, plants, trees, weeds, and grass will grow the way they want to, taking the path of least resistance every time. Sometimes, it’s best to appreciate how things grow naturally and not try to force them to exist in another way. The same mindset can be applied to everyday life: Sometimes it’s best to accept things as they are rather than trying to control or influence them, only to become frustrated. The Law of Intention and Desire Things grow when we focus on them. When I approach a new project at work, I consider the task, design, and ultimate goal before putting anything in motion. We
As I’ve mentioned in past editions of this newsletter, I’m an avid reader. Over the holidays, I came across a book at home that I must’ve read several years ago (based on the dog-eared page I found), but I didn’t recall it. But I’m glad I revisited it, and its words enlightened me to fantastic perspectives I look forward to carrying with me as I move into spring. Published in the 1990s, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams” by Deepak Chopra offers plenty of concepts that can be applied to living more grounded and successful lives in the present. Although all seven spiritual laws are worth exploring, I’d like to focus on three that stood out to me.
Hello there! I hope everyone is enjoying 2026 so far. The best way for me to sum up how things are going these days is to say I’m taking it to the streets! This past Christmas, Santa was nice enough to bring me a bike trailer. I attached it to the bike I got for my birthday, and I’ve been using it to tow all kinds of things behind me while riding. The trailer has been an upgrade from my wagon, which I pushed around town when I’d plant flowers or rake lawns for people. Now, I can run a whole service with that trailer! When we went to the park over Christmas, I put waters, basketballs, and my sisters’ scooters in the trailer and used it GAVIN’S GUYS TRAILER TALES FROM TOWN
like a storage van. I’m very organized with it, and my dad says I could probably put everything I’d need to live in that thing! I also use the trailer to carry more stuff when I’m out helping my neighbors. I love riding around and doing yardwork or pressure washing for people. In fact, I pressure-washed my grandpa’s whole driveway not too long ago. I like the adventure of working my way through the neighborhood or over to the park. It’s also great
that the trailer is covered, which adds extra protection for anything I store in it.
Best of all, I can work outside year-round because of the weather here in Florida. If you see me out with my bike trailer, be sure to say hello … and let me know if you need help with anything! Until my next update, I hope everyone keeps having a good time and spends plenty of time outdoors in the nice weather. I’ll see you again here in a couple of months!
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We Love Referrals — and We Appreciate You! Most of our best clients come from word of mouth, and we truly appreciate your support in growing our client family. If you know someone who could use our services, we would love the opportunity to help them!
consistently achieve more when we’re clear in our desires and have a strong vision and path forward.
The Law of Karma (Cause and Effect) The consequences of a shortcut always show up later. In work and life, patience and careful planning lead to long-term success. I strive to be thoughtful in the help I provide people and the work I do. Landscaping is rarely a matter of getting a call and completing the job the next day; it’s generally a month or two of development and refinement. As with everything in life, success comes after a thought-out process, never through a rush to get something done.
Referring is easy! Just share our contact info: Robert@blgenvironmental.com 407.702.7905 BLGEnvironmental.com Or simply have them scan this QR code to get in touch instantly!
If you’re looking for some insightful and inspiring reading material, give “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” a try!
Thank you for trusting us and for being part of our client family. Your referrals mean the world to us!
Robert Burns
BASKETBALL BOOKS DAFFODIL DAYLIGHT GUINNESS IRIS LEPRECHAUN POPCORN RAINY SHAMROCK SUFFRAGE WINDY TAKE A BREAK!
HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS? “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” EPHESIANS 4:32 “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another.” COLOSSIANS 3:12–13 “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” PROVERBS 11:17 “Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 PETER 3:8
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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL
BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM
BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM 407.702.7905
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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL
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Simple Civility Still Wins
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Laws That Lead Forward
Street Service Under Sunshine
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The Good News
Take a Break
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Pack Like a Pro and Say Goodbye to Suitcase Overload
A GUIDE TO MASTERING THE MINIMALIST TRAVEL MINDSET Your Carry-On, Upgraded
We’ve all been there: juggling bags, hunting for space in overhead compartments, and wishing we had packed lighter. But with these five simple strategies, you can pack less, move faster, and enjoy your adventure instead of dragging it around. Choose a smaller bag to guide your packing. We all have that impulse to pack “just in case,” stuffing extra clothes and gadgets into our luggage because, well, there’s room. But here’s the trick: Pick a smaller bag than usual. A carry-on around 10 liters smaller than what you usually use acts as a gentle nudge, forcing you to rethink what you need. Build a capsule wardrobe for travel. Clothes are where overpacking really sneaks in. Instead of thinking in terms of outfits, think in
terms of items. Build a travel capsule wardrobe of 10–12 mix-and-match pieces, including shoes and jackets. These can cover a week or more. Don’t stress about underwear; pack what you need outside the capsule. The goal is simplicity, flexibility, and style without the suitcase overload. Maximize space with compression cubes. Packing cubes might not reduce the amount you bring, but they sure make it fit better. Compression cubes help you organize and compact your clothing, allowing even a modest bag to hold everything neatly. Keep toiletries tiny and simple. Skip the half-bottle of shampoo and overstuffed toiletry bag. Travel-size containers for shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant,
sunscreen, and a few first-aid essentials are all you need. Bonus: Running out of toothpaste gives you a perfect excuse to explore a local grocery store. You might even discover a quirky, new favorite.
Think short, even on long trips. Longer travel doesn’t mean more packing.
Essentials, such as your passport, phone, chargers, a water bottle, a comb, and a travel pillow, remain constant. Clothing? Keep it minimal and plan to do laundry. Sink-washing, hotel services, or local laundromats all work. A few spins in water and a quick hang to dry is surprisingly effective. Travel lighter, explore further, and enjoy the freedom that comes from packing smart. Less baggage means more adventure, and a little extra space for souvenirs.
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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING
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