Brighten The Corner Where You Are: A Neighbors Story from Rogersville, Missouri

 


Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar,

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

- Hymn was written in the 1920s by Ina Mae Duley Ogdon,

 

When Darla Noble and her husband I moved to Greene County in 2012 their first stop was Springfield. She tells her story this way:

Living in town was something very new and different. As a fifth-generation farm girl, it was a culture shock; honestly, we weren't happy. So, in 2017 we built a new house in Rogersville. That was a happy medium, so to speak. But despite our best efforts to fit in and establish a new community of friends, it wasn't happening. So, about this time last year, I decided to stop trying. Instead of trying to fit into someone else's circle, I established my own. 

I decided that I would brighten the corners of my neighborhood and my community and extend a hand of friendship to some of the other women in my neighborhood to see if they would like to join me. I was done with the superficial wave, nod, obligatory 'hello', and such. We are relational beings and need a community of friends who can lean on us and vice versa. So, I sent invitations and was 'rewarded' with a six out of seven positive responses. And as they say, 'the rest is history'. 

Since last May we have been able to bring our neighborhood together in various, creative, fun, and relational ways. We have been able to come alongside a few neighbors in their times of need, to rally behind those who have lost loved ones, to help those in need of assistance during times of crisis, and to let the children know they are loved, cared for, and supported. As for the community in general, we have adopted a nursing home, we have provided supplies to the library, to support local businesses monetarily, and to become friends with those who live around us. 

In short, we are LIVING in our neighborhood, not just existing. 

Darla says one of her inspirations was an old hymn entitled, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are." Seek lyrics here.

Learn more about Darla Noble at http://www.dnoblewrites.com 

Read her blog about brightening your own corner of the world. Blog

Read her blog about inviting neighbors over. Blog.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MU Extension Announces Show Me Neighborhood Art Week June 1-15

Image
  To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians  must register here online . The registration deadline for Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. The location for this event is ALL of Missouri -- your front yard, your neighborhood, and your community. The online state map marking locations around Missouri will be interactive. If you have questions, please see the contact emails at the end of this blog. SPRINGFIELD, MO. -  University of Missouri Extension has announced the launch of a new statewide public art exhibit called Show Me Neighborhood Art Week. This outreach program strives to promote creative expression and public art made by residents, regardless of their skill level, as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging. The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in Springf
Read more

ABCD Training for Neighborhood and Homeowner Leaders

Image
  Free Training for Neighborhood and HOA Leaders  We are excited to announce that Community Partnership of the Ozarks and University of Missouri Extension are hosting Jennifer Prophete from The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.  She will be teaching a workshop that equips neighborhood (and homeowner) association board members and leaders to develop their community through the perspective of asset-based community development (ABCD).  The training is set for 9 a.m. to 12 noon on March 16 at the Dream Center, 829 W Atlantic St., Springfield, Mo. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast is going to be provided. If you are a leader in a neighborhood or homeowners association in or near Springfield, please join us for this free and educational event on March 16th.   To register, please email Dylan Millikin at dmillikin@cpozarks.org or call (417) 888-2020, Ext 128. MORE INFORMATION Does this article make you interested in taking the  Engaged Neighbor pledge ? Five categories and 20 principles to
Read more

12 Missourians Named Most Engaged Neighbors for 2023

Image
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail. “Honestly the plan was to honor ten, but we couldn’t get to that number,” said Jennifer Prophete, coordinator of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “I thought the nominations this year were great from one to sixty-two.” “We were excited to see two Missouri towns, Seymour and Webster Groves, collect their own nominations and honor engaged neighbors during the week,” said David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “It would be great to see other cities do something similar next year. We must celebrate and recognize neighborly behavior.” These statewide awards are provi
Read more