You Can Be A Spark in Your Neighborhood

 

Six years ago, I thought I was a good neighbor until I realized -- I was not! New people moved in, and I didn't bother to get to know their names. Eventually, I only knew one family living next to me. Yet, I still would have said I was a good neighbor.

It is said that we should love our neighbors. I would have said I did, because I sure didn’t hate anyone. But the opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy. And I had apathy for those around me.

Research recently finished by University of Missouri Extension shows that most Americans believe a “good neighbor” is quiet and leaves them alone. That was me! I didn’t learn my new neighbors' names. I was quiet, and left them alone. I thought I already was a GOOD neighbor.

In America, we do not need more good neighbors, we need engaged neighbors.

We need engaged neighbors who connect with those living around them, regardless of skin color, values or who they voted for in the last election.

Kurt Kaiser wrote the song "Pass It On. That song includes the phrase, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going." An engaged neighbor is a spark in their neighborhood or association.

You can be a spark, like Alyssa, who found a vacant lot, enlisted volunteers and planted and tended a lot full of sunflowers that bring color and joy to downtown Springfield.

You can be a spark like LuAnn, who combines her love of children and cooking by doing free cooking lessons for neighborhood children in her kitchen.

You can be a spark like Lyndal, who has several widows living on his street. He mows each of their yards all summer long, for free, to keep the neighborhood looking nice.

You can be a spark like Sandi, who started a Bunco club for women on her street. Now 12 ladies meet weekly and this summer they organized a parade for neighborhood kids.

You can be a spark like Carolyn, who developed a community vegetable garden in her 55+ community. Now the garden gives residents a reason to get outside and gather.

You can be a spark like Chen, who put a picnic table in his front yard, painted it turquoise and now invites neighbors to come join him at his turquoise table.

You can be a spark like Marilyn, who realized her neighbor's diversity was a strength and organized a potluck dinner with each neighbor bringing a favorite ethnic dish. 

Or you can be a spark like Steve,  who offered to take care of his neighbor’s horses so she could be gone months at a time for cancer treatments.

And you too can be the spark among your neighbors to get the fire going.

If you are unsure where to start, visit engagedneighbor.com, look at the engaged neighbor pledge, and implement some of our "Engaged Neighbor" principles.

• Let me share a few principles that you can begin applying this week.
• Learn and use the names of your immediate neighbors.
• Listen to your neighbors and discover their story.
• Do more front yard living.
• Discard a lifestyle of busyness in favor of being present and available.
• Focus on what is strong, not what is wrong in your neighborhood.
• Commit to learning the gifts and talents of your neighbors.
• Include neighbors who are overlooked, marginalized, disabled, widowed, or lonely.
• Invite neighbors into your regular routine.

If you want a friendlier neighborhood or community, you begin by being the change you want to see. Here are three ways you can begin.

• Participate in Missouri Good Neighbor Week from Sept. 28 to Oct 4. You can do an act of neighboring kindness this week or nominate someone for recognition as Missouri's most engaged neighbor at http://missourigoodneighborweek.com
• Before you leave tonight, sign up for membership in your neighborhood association. These associations provide fantastic opportunities for social connections.
• Visit our website at engagedneighbor.com and take the engaged neighbor pledge tonight.

You can choose to take an action every day that positively impacts your neighborhood and neighbors. This is the perfect time to start. Be an engaged neighbor. Go be the spark.