52 Weeks of Neighboring - 4/23

Tip of the Week – Make an intentional space on your calendar to be present to your neighbors.

This week’s tip is a little different because it really doesn’t involve doing anything. So if you have a “do-er” personality, this may be a little tough. But don’t worry, we believe in you.

Sometimes when it comes to neighboring, we have to learn how to be instead of do. While our neighboring tips are designed to be catalysts for building community within your neighborhood, most days it’s hard to predict what our neighbors will need. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your neighbors is simply to be present to their needs.

Your neighbors may need a conversation and a cup of coffee, they may need a ride to the bank, they may just need to see a friendly face. But here’s the thing – being present to our neighbors doesn’t just naturally happen right away. We have to be intentional about it. That’s why we want to encourage you to put it on your calendar. Most of us have incredibly busy schedules. If your schedule is busy too, instead of trying to squeeze time in to be present to your neighbors, you may have to say no to some other activity.

Being present to your neighbors can manifest itself in different ways. You may simply sit on your front porch or you could take a nice slow walk around the block. No matter what you do, they key is to be available to your neighbors. Being truly available to your neighbors requires not only the time, but also a correct mindset. Not only do you have to make an intentional space in your calendar, you have to make an intentional space in your mind. If you’re having a conversation with your neighbor, but simultaneously thinking about a project at work or your cleaning to-do list, you aren’t mentally available to them. It’s really hard to have an authentic conversation in that space. Make sure when you decide to set a time on your calendar to be present to your neighbors, you’re prepared to be mentally available to them as well.

Happy neighboring!