Today, I am thankful for neighbors who are always there when you need them.
In my neighborhood, a cadre of families, all unique in their own special way, fortuitously surround my own family and me. These caring individuals do not only share my geographical proximity, but they also share my belief that mutual respect, congeniality, and kindness are the lynchpins to a successful neighborhood. Interestingly, we do not all share the same professions, belief systems, or political philosophies. Yet, we still get along for back yard barbeques, evening drinks on the porch, and the occasional block party. My neighbors are always there for me in the good times and the tough times.
Many of us learned the essential tenets of neighborhoods when we were young, either from our own personal experiences or with the support of our local friends, communities, or churches. Even the programs I watched as a child espoused to being a good neighbor. As a little boy, I remember spending endless hours in Bergen County, New Jersey, watching the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) on Channel 13. Several times a week, a Presbyterian minister would walk through the door, take off his business shoes and lace up his sneakers, and shun his suit jacket for a red cardigan, all the while singing a song espousing to the beautiful day in the neighborhood (and his heartfelt desire to have you join him as a friend). Fred Rogers, who was born on this day (Mar 20) in 1928, created, hosted, and produced Mister Rogers Neighborhood for over 3 decades between 1968 and 2003. His low-tech show was dedicated entirely to the emotional wellbeing and physical concerns of childhood. He tackled sensitive subjects, like the sadness associated with death, the complexity of divorce, and the fear of a new school. Like most good neighbors, Fred gave us comfort in a time of uncertainty.
Fred knew that exhibiting kindness through generous neighborly deeds has a positive impact on one’s own physical and emotional wellbeing, a phenomenon known as a ‘helper’s high’. Research has shown that individuals who exhibit generosity release substances that have fortuitous self-effects. Performing kind acts – whether at work, at home, or in your community – can lead to an increase in neuropeptides, such as endorphins, which are the natural painkillers often achieved from a ‘runner’s high’. Altruistic behaviors have even been associated with long-lasting happiness, fewer musculoskeletal pains, and a greater life expectancy.
So, if all this is true, why don’t we do it more often? Wait, you don’t have to answer that question because I know the answer is apt to be long and convoluted.
Instead, I’ve rather you answer a simpler one: Won’t you be my neighbor?
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