Are You My Neighbor?

Are You My Neighbor? February 1, 2014

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The neighbors are moving away.

They were the neighbors because they lived next door. They said hello, exchanged pleasantries, wrangled packages that were delivered during the day.

I know most of the people who live in the building by face, though not by name. I do not really know anything about them, though I can guess a few things.

My neighbors are from all over the world. I walk in my neighborhood, and hear telephone conversations in various languages and at odd hours because of time differences. My friend Reem, from Palestine, cuts my hair. The choice of food is amazing.

Are we neighbors because we live in the same neighborhood?

At the same time I do not really know the people who live near me, I build strong friendships and partnerships with people who are far away. I have “friends I have never met” across the United States and around the world. I talk with people face to face and by instant message in Texas and Pennsylvania, in Indonesia and Beirut. I chat with friends in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and all over the United States.

Are we neighbors because we tell each other the truth?

Being a good neighbor takes effort. For me, being a neighbor has a lot to do with listening. Sometimes being a good neighbor means not getting as frustrated when someone cannot get their garbage into the dumpster, or smokes where they are not supposed to smoke; sometimes it means not doing things that frustrate other people.

Learning to be good neighbors can be a step in a positive direction. It is a step each of us can take.

Being a good neighbor is a lesson that even countries or political parties could learn.

Thank you for being my neighbor.

Who are your neighbors?

[Image by Andrei Prakharevich]


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