I'm putting together a list of simple things we can do to make our immediate neighborhoods feel friendlier and safer. Send your additions to info@luxuriouschoices.net and I will add the ones that don't duplicate. Thank you for making the world a better place one neighborhood at a time!
*Look at your neighbor and smile.
*Say hello.
*Wave and smile at children.
*Pet friendly dogs.
*Get your pet to poop on places other than your neighbors' lawns.
*Pick up and properly dispose of trash.
*Offer to help if you see someone struggling.
*If there's a big problem, be open, honest, diplomatic, and kind. (That's a hard one, but take the time and effort to do it. It really does work.)
*Don't assume anything about your neighbors.
*Be sincere.
*"Drama is NOT your Mamma." Remember that.
*Put on pants before you go outside.
*Don't take your neighbors' newspapers.
*Walk around the neighborhood. It make the community feel friendly.
* Don't walk around the neighborhood taking notes about your neighbors so you can turn them in to the Home Owner's Association.
*Work out in the yard if you can. This is a great way to meet your neighbors while you make your home look nice.
*If you learn that a neighbor is sick, bring that person something nice - a home baked pastry or cookies, for example.
*If you see someone outside working on their house, stop and say something nice about their house to start a conversation.
*If you see someone outside working on their house, stop and say something nice about their house to start a conversation.
* Stop and talk to people. Share something about yourself, opening the opportunity for your neighbor to share information about themselves.
*Don't open your neighbors' mail if it's misdelievered to you. If you do accidentally open it, apologize profusely. RETURN mail that doesn't belong to you!
*Properly bless and dispose of dead animals left lying in the street (squirrels, mice, snakes, etc.)
*Encourage neighbors to donate to causes - american cancer assoc, etc.--let your dogs play with their dogs
*Control, if you can, your own barking dog
*Let neighbors know when you're going to have a party and that there will be a lot of cars around
*Invite neighbors to your parties.
*If you see your neighborhood needs a crosswalk, sidewalk, stop sign or traffic light, find the right people and request it.
*Call the cops if you hear or see something violent going on.
*Ask the police to drive through your neighborhood several times a week at different times of the day or night. This helps people feel safe.
*Ask your community to post visible "no soliciting" signs.
*BE TOLERANT of your neighbors. It could be YOUR DOG that gets out next time.
*Take down holiday decor in a timely manner.
*Remember, everyone is thy neighbor.
Posts
8 comments:
I fully agree and try to be a good neighbor.However some are not. during the hurricanes we looked after each other three times, and survived as neighbors.
Yeah, Sandy, my understanding is that a catastrophe kind of pulls the community together. What I would like to see is PREVENTION. In our neighborhoods, we need to do whatever we can to prevent the catastrophe from happening. Obviously, with a hurricane or a flood, there is only so much you can do.
It is sad that not everyone will try to be a good neighbor. I am lucky to have a very family oriented neighborhood with lots of young moms and kids and lots of diversity. In our loop, we don't have many issues, even with the diversity. It's great. But our county is being torn apart by the immigration fights. It's very painful, unnecessary and sad.
I've lived in many low income areas where the diversity or immigration were NEVER excuses for fighting. Issues of crime and poverty were targeted, but never people.
I'm very lucky with my neighbours and my neighbourhood, Katherine.
The place where I used to live, however, really needed a big sign saying "turn that damend music down! People are trying to sleep!" and "If you wanted a dog, whay the hell do you leave it barking in the yard all night long?"
Now, however, we all look after one another's places when we are out and everyone is quiet and considerate. I love it here.
I agree Kate it's such an individualistic thing. Everybody has choices, and then we have the quacking ducks that follow what the one before him does, and the I only care about my selves . Diversity hating diversity strange..
love it bbf! -had to pull this one from the bookshelf after reading your post today.
-last three stanza's of Dr. Maya Angelou's on the pulse of the morning:
women, children, men,
take it into the palms of your hands,
mold it into the shape of your most private need. sculpt it into the image of your most public self.
lift up your hearts.
each new hour holds new chances
for a new beginning.
do not be wedded forever
to fear, yoked eternally
to brutishness.
the horizon leans forward,
offering you space
to place new steps of change.
here, on the pulse of this fine day,
you may have the courage
to look up and out and upon time,
the rock, the river, the tree, your country.
no less to midas than the mendicant.
no less to you now than the mastodon then.
here, on the pulse of this new day, you may have the grace to look up and out
and into your brother's face,
your country,
and say simply
very simply
with hope --
good morning.
**
"love thy neighbor, or if that feels too intimate and scary
at least offer some kindness and respect.
-fresh baked goods seem to bring people together also-
much love, ~s.
Thank you ladies for your comments. BBF, that poem made me want to cry. I watched Dr. Angelou deliver that poem. I have a copy of it on my shelves somewhere (or at least I used to). I remember when she came to my college and I couldn't go because I had to work. How sad to have missed that day that I am sure would have stayed with me for a lifetime. At least her poem has, and her caged birds singing. May we all sing for freedom, justice and peace.
Go to community meetings if you can. This is a toughie because of schedules, but it's a way to keep people informed.
Be positive when you are there. I was at a community meeting last night and that was a huge theme! I was happy to see that because I was nervous the whole thing would be one big bitching session.
The lady speaking also said if someone is being rude, "Don't Engage." She said it's something we tell our kids. This is a new term for me. I always tell my kids "ignore it" but I like that word "engage" a lot better. It's more empowering than "ignore." I actually put a note on my computer to remind me! LOL!
I always need notes. If I don't have a note, right in front of me, I'm sure to forget.
Answer your neighbors' emails.
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