Kristopher Swanson returns with our final neighboring tip of season 1. This time, we are reflecting on our experiences of neighboring. Plus, we discuss the exciting news that Kristopher is no longer Intern #5, but instead is now VISTA #1! Grab a chair and join us on the front porch for another fun conversation!
Tip of the Week – If there is anyone on your block whom you have not met, go and introduce yourself to them.
If you’ve been a part of 52 Weeks of Neighboring for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve met some of your neighbors...
Read MoreThanks to Rev. Justin Jamis and the great folks at Mt. Vernon UMC for inviting us to come and share about the Neighboring Movement last Sunday. The worship services were complete with singing the theme song to "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood."
Read MoreTip of the Week – Host a fall block party.
I’m not sure what the weather in your area has been lately, but the weather in our neck of the woods has been pretty perfect lately. It’s time for a block party!
If you’re new to 52 weeks of neighboring, welcome! If you’ve been with us for a while, you may remember we suggested hosting a block party in the spring. Whether you’re a first-time block party host or an expert, we have four essentials for you to remember.
Read MoreTip 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....
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Tip of the Week – Take a walk in your neighborhood and collect trash.
This tip was inspired by one of our active SoCe Life friends. As a bit of an introvert, she found a good avenue for neighboring included walking her dog in her neighborhood. At the same time, she carried a couple of small trash bags so she could pick up trash along her walk. Our SoCe Life friend walks about a one-mile route around her neighborhood. When she first started this act of neighboring, she could barely make it halfway through her walk before her trash bags were full. Now, about 5 years later, she can make it almost the entire mile without seeing a single piece of trash.
Picking up trash may check off a good deed for the week, but how does it help us foster neighboring? We’re glad you asked! Picking up trash in your neighborhood is a great way to make yourself visible and available to your neighbors. The more out and about you are in your neighborhood, the more likely you are to find the opportunity to strike up a conversation.
As we sat and brainstormed about this neighboring experiment, we talked a bit about the importance of the mindset behind it. Picking up trash is a needs-based activity. There’s a need (trash to be picked up) and we’re addressing it (picking up the trash). When we do needs-based activities in our neighborhood, there are a couple of things to be careful of.
With all of this in mind, find a nice day, grab a trash bag, and help reveal the beauty in your neighborhood.
Happy neighboring!
Tip of the Week - Take your dog for a walk or ask a neighbor who walks about their dog.
Welcome to 52 Weeks of Neighboring, canine edition.
Our furry friends make great conversation starters, so they’re perfect for neighboring! If you have a dog, take your pup out for a nice, easy walk. Set an intention to make yourself present to the neighborhood around you. Hopefully with the nice weather, folks will be outside. Make an effort to strike up a conversation..
Read MoreTip of the Week - Double your favorite recipe and share extra with a neighbor.
This week's tip is a simple way to neighbor. It's also a great way to "break the ice" with a neighbor you've never met before, because who can turn down free, home-cooked food? Not me.
There's something really great about sharing out of our own abundance. In the simple act of sharing food, we can...
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