 Can't believe it's December already - only a few weeks to Christmas. Just read in the paper at the weekend that in a recent survey, it was revealed that 60% of Australians don't speak to their neighbours & 38% don't know their neighbours at all! How sad is that. And it is this time of year that many people dread, because they have no one to share the festive season with.
Do you know your neighbours? Do you like your neighbours?
What is a neighbour? - "A neighbour is a person who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn't climb over it." - Arthur Baer.
We can choose our friends but not our families or neighbours. Over the past 20yrs, my husband & I have moved about six times. Each time, the prayerat the top of my list was that we get good neighbours & fortunately we mostly have. Being friendly makes life much easier all round.
Are you fortunate to live in a street or community that has get-togethers like street parties, B-B-Q's? They say nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbour's noisy party, than being there! In my September newsletter, my topic was - "Do you feel connected or disconnected?" This can well apply to your relationship with neighbours as well.
Social isolation is on the rise, due to busy working families, stress, anxiety, the internet where 'facebook' is taking over 'face-to-face' communication & safety concerns are some of the isssues that weren't around in the 1950's when I was a child. People & children in particular, spent more time outside, especially in the afternoons & weekends, socialising with the neighbourhood community, There were no computers, TV, internet, etc to keep us indoors so much, as young people seem to today.
In 2003, a project began called Neighbour Day & it is held nationally each year on the last Sunday of March. Go to www.neighbourday.org and see some of the great things people do around the country to strengthen their communities, break down barriers, promote tolerance, respect & understanding. But why wait till then? Why not think of what you could do in your own street or community, at this festive time of year, to bring people together who may not know each other. Christmas is meant to be the season for giving & socialising, so touch someone's life who may be too shy or proud to make the first move.
"The community you want, starts at your front door."
I hope you all have a happy Christmas & New Year with your family, friends & neighbours. My next newsletter will be in February.
Cheers,
Eva
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