THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 - NATIONAL NEIGHBOR DAY

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023  - NATIONAL NEIGHBOR DAY

NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY - September 28, 2023 - National Today

It is National Good Neighbor Day.  

Let’s think about neighbors.

From the Bible - Luke 10:27

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

The story continues as Jesus tells of the Good Samaritan. 

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From a top-rated children’s program.

The theme to Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood:

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beautywood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together, we might as well say

Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please, won't you please?
Please, won't you be my neighbor?

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And a familiar advertising jingle (in full)

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Whenever you’re driving, And wherever you’re bound, On freeways and byways, The whole country round. You’ll feel better knowin’, Anytime, anywhere, That like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Your home’s where your heart is. It’s a feeling that grows: The house you live in and the love it shows. You’ll feel better knowin’, Anytime, anywhere, That like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. We all hope for the good times. Never leave us behind. We face our tomorrows With some peace of mind. No man has a promise Of a life without care. And like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”

From the National Today Good Neighbor text:

Good neighborliness defines how pleasant and comfortable our neighborhood is — neighbors can make or break your experience of living in an area. Being a good neighbor helps us build solid and long-lasting relationships. Neighbors are like umbrellas on a rainy day, lending a helping hand in times of emergency.

Previous generations tended to engage their neighbors in a lot of activities. They invited them to parties and balls, rode with them, worked on their farms, invited them over for dinner, and took care of their homes whenever they left. Nowadays, with busy schedules and technological advancements, we only really care about or show interest in the family next door. This is why people live next to each other for years and still aren’t familiar.

National Good Neighbor Day was first celebrated in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson, who wanted to connect with her neighbors in Montana. It officially became a holiday in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation to establish the holiday. The Senate passed a resolution, as it was recognized that there was little meaningful communication among people, and there was a need to bring them together for them to interact with one another. The Senate believed human values and consideration for others were essential to the system of civilization and decided that being good neighbors to those around us was the first step toward human understanding. Thus, we celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on September 28, taking special time to care for our neighbors and form or maintain friendships.

How To Be A Good Neighbor: 6 Tips And Tricks

Being a good neighbor is one part of caring about your community. Here are some things you can do that will help you become a better neighbor and help curate a more positive living environment for all:  From  Rocket Mortgage.

1. Practice Good Neighbor Etiquette

Whether you have recently moved into the neighborhood or have lived there for an extended period, creating and maintaining relationships with your neighbors can be beneficial. Your neighborhood can be a reliable support system and should be a happy community. Using neighbor etiquette means treating your neighbors how you want to be treated.

2. Recognize Noise Levels

Be mindful of noise levels during certain hours of the day, whether it’s late at night or before sunrise. Keep your noise levels down during the early morning hours and after dinnertime. If you’re throwing an evening party at your home, it’s courteous to let your neighbors know if it runs late into the night.

3. Maintain Curb Appeal

Keep up curb appeal by collecting loose trash and leaves from your front yard. Maintain the paint on the front of your home and plant flowers in flower beds or pots during the warmer months.

4. Help Keep The Neighborhood Clean

An easy way to be a good next-door neighbor is to help clean up the community whenever possible. This also helps when potential buyers are looking into moving to the neighborhood. Shovel snow off the sidewalks, remove fall leaves off yards, or collect unwanted litter.

5. Be Responsible For Your Furry Friends

If you have a pet in your home, you should be especially mindful of others for their and your pet’s safety. If your pet is outside in the backyard, keep your gates locked to avoid your furry friend escaping.  If you have dogs - make sure you pick up after them (many parks and apartments have baggies for dog droppings. )

6. Discuss Issues Tactfully

It’s best to avoid partaking in neighborhood drama, especially if it’s between multiple neighbors. It’s better to remain neutral and avoid adding fuel to the fire. If the issue is unavoidable, you can set a meeting at your home to discuss the matters at hand. If necessary, offer advice on approaching a situation as a neutral third party.

LOVE WINS - AND IT STARTS BY BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR

LOVE TRANSFORMS - AND IT CAN TRANSFORM A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD INTO A LOVING NEIGHBORHOOD

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023