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Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill #GoodNeighborDay

28/09/2015
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“As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world.” Pres. Jimmy Carter

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

“As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family … I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” United States President Jimmy Carter, Proclamation 4601, 1978. via National Day Calendar

What does being a good neighbor mean to you? What motivates you to give back in a neighborly fashion? Today is National Good Neighbor Day and a great day to be reminded that we are part of a global community that depends on each other to maintain peace. If you’ve been paying attention to news events in the last week, you’d know that we celebrated International Peace Day, Pope Francis visited the US, the UN Member-nations/world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 global goals, and the Social Good Summit kicked off on with speakers and presentations offering insights on how technology and social media can make powerful impacts on achieving the 17 goals by 2030. Being a good neighbor means caring about your community and the world, and taking actions that benefit all. How can we be good neighbors if our actions malign others? How can we achieve the end of poverty if we withhold food and opportunities from those who desperately need them? To be a good neighbor is to care about those beyond our reach too, not just our immediate neighbors. Showing goodwill to others works in tandem with being a good neighbor. You can’t have one without the other. How do you see it?

How did National Good Neighbor Day start? It was initiated in the 1970s as the brainchild of Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana who believed that good neighbors can accomplish more together in their communities than apart. It quickly became a popular way to rally people together and by 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued a clear Proclamation 4601 that made it a viable and legitimate holiday. In 2003, National Good Neighbor Day was moved from being celebrated on the fourth Sunday in September to a definite date:M September 28. The Congressional Record in which Max Bacchus asks for such a designation shows September 26 as the date requested. Nevertheless, what matters is that we seize the opportunity to acknowledge our neighbors far and near. When I think of National Good Neighbor Day, I think of both my global neighbors and immediate neighbors. If we stop creating divisions that separate people into factions, we will have a more harmonious global community. We owe it to the survival of our planet to treat all live with respect, goodwill and neighborly consideration. So go ahead and do something nice for your neighbors today. Feel free to add the hashtag: #GoodNeighborDay to your posts on social media.

A Story: The Wise Farmer
A farmer whose corn always took the first prize at the state fair had a habit of sharing his best corn seed with all the farmers in the neighborhood. When asked why, he said, “It is really a matter of self-interest. The wind picks up the pollen and carries it from field to field. So if my neighbors grow inferior corn, the cross-pollination brings down the quality of my own corn. That is why I am concerned that they plant only the very best. All Zen Stories via Read.Goodweb

Another Story: The UN-neighborly Request
A farmer requested a Tendai priest to recite sutras (prayers) for his wife, who had died. After the recitation was over the farmer asked: “Do you think my wife will gain merit from this?”
“Not only your wife, but all sentient beings will benefit from the recitation of sutras,” answered the priest.
“If you say all sentient beings will benefit,” said the farmer, “my wife may be very weak and others will take advantage of her, getting the benefit she should have. So please recite sutras just for her.”
The priest explained that it was the desire of a Buddhist to offer blessings and wish merit for every living being.
“That is a fine teaching,” concluded the farmer, “but please make one exception. I have a neighbor who is rough and mean to me. Just exclude him from all those sentient beings.” Source: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones

“Goodwill is the only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.” Marshall Field

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

You have to, in your own life, get people to want to work with you and want to help you. The organizational chart, in my opinion, means very little. I need my bosses’ goodwill, but I need the goodwill of my subordinates even more. Lloyd Blankfein
Trust is not simply a matter of truthfulness, or even constancy. It is also a matter of amity and goodwill. We trust those who have our best interests at heart, and mistrust those who seem deaf to our concerns. Gary Hamel

What does performing acts of goodwill mean to you? Lloyd Blankfein’s quote above resonated with me deeply because we often see people withhold their goodwill from those who actually need it most. They spend their time kowtowing to their superiors and working to impress those who can forward their personal agendas. Such actions are not true attempts at goodwill but, brown-nosing. While there is nothing wrong with expressing goodwill to those who can help us, if we only focus our attention on them, we are eliminating a vast group of people who stand to benefit from our kindness. Like the story of the Good Samaritan, we should stay open to helping those in need; especially folks who in dire need of help. When our goodwill becomes a form of cronyism, it loses both its meaning and its true impact. Goodwill efforts are helpful acts that uplift others; when we give of our time, skills, and knowledge to help the most destitute, we perform deeds that reverberate beyond our community and touch people who can then do same for others. We live in a world where so many don’t have food to eat or decent infrastructures to support local communities. When we work with organizations that serve those communities directly, we are making a huge difference in the lives of people we don’t even know. Even though our gifts are going to distant communities, the gratitude and grace of our random acts of kindness return to us in other ways. We should perform goodwill acts for their own sake and not for the accolades that might come from them. We should give honestly and not be like the villagers in the story below, who thought they were being smart when they added water to the wine barrel. How do you express your goodwill?

A Story: The Deceptive Villagers
A great festival was to be held in a village and each villager was asked to contribute by pouring a bottle of wine into a giant barrel. One of the villagers had this thought: “If I pour a bottle of water in that giant barrel, no one will notice the difference.” But it didn’t occur to him that everyone else in the village might have the same thought. When the banquet began and the barrel was tapped, what came out was pure water. All Zen Stories via Read.Goodweb

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for August and September are:
08/03 – TIME
08/10 – CONTROL
08/17 – PURPOSE
08/24 – FAILURE
08/31 – HOPE

09/07 – LABOR & LITERACY
09/14 – POSITIVE THINKING
09/21 – PEACE/INTERNATIONAL PEACE
09/28 – GOOD NEIGHBORS/GOODWILL

More Below!

“When one neighbor helps another, we strengthen our communities.” Jennifer Pahlka

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

Motivation Mondays: Good Neighbors & Goodwill

From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own. Carl Schurz
To love our neighbor as ourselves is such a truth for regulating human society, that by that alone one might determine all the cases in social morality. John Locke

What does this all mean; good neighbor & good will? At the end of the day, being a good neighbor and expressing goodwill to all benefits us too. When we help each other grow, our world is enriched and more of us are able to learn to give back. The terrific ideas of paying it forward and performing random acts of kindness help us all because our good deeds make it possible for others to pull themselves up and be a beacon of light to someone else. So on this very special day and hopefully, on every other day, lets remember to be a good neighbor; locally, nationally, and globally. As Osho says at the end of the story below, “the world goes on becoming more and more beautiful because of these efforts.”

A Story: Each One Has To Try
There was an ancient mysterious wall which stood at the edge of a village, and whenever anyone climbed the wall to look onto the other side, instead of coming back he or she smiled and would jump to the other side, never to return. The inhabitants of the village became curious as to what could draw these people to the other side of the wall. After all, their village had all the necessities of living a comfortable life. They made an arrangement to where they would tie a person’s feet, so that when he or she looked over and wished to jump, they could be pulled back. The next time someone tried to climb the wall to see what was on the other side, they chained her feet so that she could not go over. She looked on the other side and was delighted at what she saw, and smiled. Those standing below grew curious to question her and pulled her back, but to their great disappointment she had lost the power of speech.
“Those who have Seen cannot say. That which has been Seen cannot be painted, cannot be reduced to words. But still each one has to give a try – and the world goes on becoming more and more beautiful because of these efforts.” Source Osho via Read.Goodweb

Positive Motivation Tip: To be a good neighbor is to set an intention to treat all with goodwill. As we give, we receive.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM

Related Posts

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS:  Zen Stories via Read.Goodweb  All Photos: meatpacking district, wakefield common, bell tower, park place, east 69, QPL,  boro hall, via Wikipedia and/or from my Personal Collection.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

from → Grace & Gratitude, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2015
228 Comments leave one →
  1. Masshole Mommy permalink
    28/09/2015 3:38 pm

    I like a few of my neighbors, but there is one that I just do not get along with. I keep hoping he will move out.

    Reply
  2. Terri Ramsey Beavers permalink
    28/09/2015 3:44 pm

    Thanks for the motivational Monday inspiration. Your post reminded me of how much I miss my one and only neighbor. She passed away last year from Pneumonia. I’ve been praying for a new neighbor that I like just as much.

    Reply
  3. queenofthelandoftwigsnberries permalink
    28/09/2015 4:07 pm

    We are so lucky to have some awesome neighbors. Not only do our kids play together, but we look out for each other and really have a sense of community. It is so incredibly sad to see that so many communities don’t really have relationships.

    Reply
  4. Scott permalink
    28/09/2015 4:49 pm

    Most of our neighbors are pretty good with helping one another. But there’s always one ant at the picnic – and unfortunately he lives next door to us…

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      29/09/2015 2:11 am

      Hahaha! I like your description. We’ve had our share of ants over the years but, thankfully, things always turned around.

      Reply
  5. Amanda K permalink
    28/09/2015 4:55 pm

    I had no idea it was Good Neighbor Day! Looks like I will be doing it a day late tomorrow for mine 🙂

    Reply
  6. Michele permalink
    28/09/2015 5:03 pm

    If everyone, including all the politicians, followed the good neighbor policy every day-what a beautiful world this would be.

    Reply
  7. jmgoyder permalink
    28/09/2015 5:05 pm

    The UN-neighbourly request gave me a giggle because I have to admit that I once felt a bit like that about a neighbour. Glad I got over it!

    Reply
  8. Autumn @ Stay gold Autumn permalink
    28/09/2015 5:23 pm

    I love the story with the corn!! Sharing with others is really a great way to help improve your neighborhood.

    We have a yard in our neighborhood that is so overgrown, we can’t see right to turn on the road. I am afraid it will cause an accident. My husband and I have talked about going over and offering to weed spray and remove some things. Part of it is because I hope they will feel more encouraged to keep it up after that, but also because it is much safer for everyone.

    Reply
  9. Claudette Esterine permalink
    28/09/2015 6:09 pm

    Living in North America for over a decade now, my understanding of how to be a nieghbour went through drastic changes. I am not at the point where “hermit” would more describe me – sadly – as I do not know my neighbours. This is a very un-Jamaican way of being but I try to compensate and satisfy my need for neighbours by reaching out and staying in contact with friends and family who do want that “neighbourly contact” although they are miles and miles away.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      29/09/2015 2:08 am

      That definitely qualifies as being a good neighbor. The topic is neighborly goodwill beyond our hood too. So you are on track lady! 😉

      Reply
      • Claudette Esterine permalink
        30/09/2015 7:02 am

        Why thank you! 🙂

  10. Liz Mays permalink
    28/09/2015 7:15 pm

    I’ve always liked the idea of neighbors looking out for each other. I’m not really one to hang out with the neighbors, but I like being protective on their behalf.

    Reply
  11. maggiesblog2 permalink
    28/09/2015 7:32 pm

    We just recently moved into a new house and I am going to try to be a better neighbor. Historically, I am a rotten neighbor. I do wave now and then but that’s about it lol

    Reply
  12. Beth@FrugalFroggie permalink
    28/09/2015 7:48 pm

    I don’t know any of my neighbors. I guess I am a bad neighbor. 🙁

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      29/09/2015 2:06 am

      Hahaha Beth! I just knew you’d say something funny. Get out and connect. You’re not a bad neighbor and, besides, my post is about treating ALL like a good neighbor.

      Reply
  13. Liz Mays permalink
    28/09/2015 8:09 pm

    This is a good reminder! I like the idea of paying it forward and doing random acts of kindness for strangers.

    Reply
  14. Samantha Pierce permalink
    28/09/2015 8:16 pm

    I try my best to be a good neighbor. I do what I can for friends, family, and physical neighbors because life is too short to not show you care about those around you.

    Reply
  15. tara pittman permalink
    28/09/2015 9:13 pm

    I try to be a good neighbor to all. A neighbor is more than just the people on your block.

    Reply
  16. Lucid Gypsy permalink
    28/09/2015 10:44 pm

    It’s a huge challenge to keep on being the good one when another is relentlessly unpleasant, but I suppose I must hold on.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      29/09/2015 2:04 am

      Indeed. At some point we must address it or it will fester and turn ugly… Part of being a “good neighbor” is communicating about things that are difficult too. Thanks for bringing that one up Gilly. 😉

      Reply
  17. I Love Paars by: Lee permalink
    29/09/2015 1:54 am

    being a good neighbor is being a friend to them esp in times of trouble. anybody can be your friend when you are in your extreme happiness but when youre down then you’ll know who your real friends are

    Reply
  18. Jessica Young (@youngrubbish) permalink
    29/09/2015 3:07 am

    I’ve lived in NYC and London for the past 5 years and inner-city neighbours are not super friendly… my husband however is extraordinarily friendly, so he’s definitely scared a few people 😉

    Reply
  19. Girl, Unspotted permalink
    29/09/2015 4:28 am

    sometimes, no matter how great a neighborhood is, there’s always that one house that just doesn’t care and lacks the same courtesy. we actually have no neighbors right now, but a house is being built next door.

    Reply
  20. Fernando Ceballos Lachica permalink
    29/09/2015 6:42 am

    Some of our neighbors have forgotten the thing called love, but I really come to my senses to push the other way around for them to feel the same. In the long run, respect is the key for doing things right.

    Reply
  21. mrenkema79 permalink
    29/09/2015 10:01 am

    So important to teach our kids to be good neighbours!

    Reply
  22. Karla permalink
    29/09/2015 7:41 am

    My neighbors and I have a good relationship. When we had to fix something in our house and it caused noise and inconvenience to them… we sent them fruits every time. When the time came that they had to fix something they did the same. What goes around comes around 🙂

    Reply
  23. thewomentalk permalink
    29/09/2015 11:52 am

    We are pretty new to our neighborhood and talk to just one neighbor as of now. I guess it will take time to make connections, but people do seem more engrossed in their tech gadgets these days that it seems like such an effort to connect with someone personally!

    Reply
  24. Esme Sy permalink
    29/09/2015 10:04 am

    I am lucky to live in a neighborhood where everyone helps each other. Sure, there are a few not-so good neighbors. Still, I feel lucky that there are more good people than the not so good ones.

    Reply
  25. Karlyn Cruz permalink
    29/09/2015 10:18 am

    I have decent neighbors. I do see a need for improvement on my part.

    Reply
  26. upliftingfam permalink
    29/09/2015 1:55 pm

    I don’t know our neighbors very well. They are nice but we just don’t hang out outside or anything. I remember growing up, we always did something as a neighborhood. Times have changed so much.

    Reply
  27. ronnkelly3 permalink
    29/09/2015 2:02 pm

    I love our neighbors and we try and help when we are needed. Now my last house we lived in, we did not get along with our neighbors next door.

    Reply
  28. Debra Lord Daigle permalink
    29/09/2015 11:15 am

    I try to be a good neighbor but in this neighborhood, its safer to keep to yourselves!

    Reply
  29. Minnesota Miranda permalink
    29/09/2015 2:48 pm

    We make our neighbors little gift baskets for neighbors day.

    Reply
  30. Catherine Curti permalink
    29/09/2015 3:20 pm

    We have a lot of good neighbors, I love celebrating good neighbors day!!

    Reply
  31. JessicaACassidy (@wifetoalineman) permalink
    29/09/2015 3:43 pm

    Goodwill reminds of a store where you can donate your stuff and other people can buy.

    Reply
  32. JessicaACassidy (@wifetoalineman) permalink
    29/09/2015 2:09 pm

    I did not know there is Good Neighbor Day. Though the only neighbor that is closed to is not our friend. They like to report us to the police for some stupid reason. Though I do not like them, one day one of their mail delivered to our mailbox so I dropped it to their front door. I do not know if they are home but they did not open their door. I told my husband about it, he was mad at me lol. He said that I should just throw their mail in the garbage lol.

    Reply
  33. Ms. Katrina permalink
    29/09/2015 5:18 pm

    Being a good neighbor doesn’t mean that you have to be best buddies but you do have to be considerate of one another.

    Reply
  34. Stephanie Pass permalink
    29/09/2015 2:57 pm

    We do not have good neighbors. I think it’s because my husband’s ex-wife lived here before and was kind of crazy, so they think I’m like her or something. They have never done anything but glare at me, lol. I’m kinda nervous to talk to them. I wish I had nice neighbors.

    Reply
  35. patricemfoster permalink
    29/09/2015 5:11 pm

    Being a good neighbor is so important and I am glad I have them . Read so many horror stories of fights between neighbors. The South is quite different for me they want to talk ….In the North kept to myself ….But usually a warm smile break the ice.

    Reply
  36. Anne V permalink
    29/09/2015 5:39 pm

    A good neighbor is one who is considerate and concerned with the people around. Unselfish might be the perfect term to describe one and is always ready to give a helping hand.

    Reply
  37. Maria Lianos-Carbone (@amotherworld) permalink
    29/09/2015 6:05 pm

    I live in a great neighbourhood where every parent looks out for everyone else’s kids, and the kids get along and play together. Can’t ask for anything more.

    Reply
  38. Kira T permalink
    29/09/2015 6:45 pm

    I love your posts. They always make me feel hope for the world. I love this post on being a good neighbor. These ideas are so needed in our overly negative society.

    Reply
  39. The Trophy WifeStyle permalink
    29/09/2015 6:47 pm

    I always try to be a good neighbor! Lucky for us we live surrounded by old people so they are pretty nice to us as well 🙂

    Reply
  40. Maureen permalink
    29/09/2015 6:56 pm

    Such an important post and a great reminder, Eliz. Reminded me of the saying “It takes a village…” Unfortunately, living in a big city most neighbors doesn’t even knows their neighbors. Where I live, I only know the family living next door and the one living right in front of our house. Whereas, when I was little…things are so different. I miss those old good days 🙂

    Reply
  41. phyliciamarie permalink
    29/09/2015 7:21 pm

    This is soo true. even a small act of good will towards your neighbor can change whole day, and even an outlook in life. Would’nt the world be so much better if we cared for each other more instead of putting each other down?

    Reply
  42. Nita Thomas permalink
    29/09/2015 7:25 pm

    I like the idea of being a good neighbor to everyone. We tried our best to know our neighbors. But there are some who just doesn’t care at all. But oh well!

    Reply
  43. Nova permalink
    29/09/2015 7:39 pm

    This is really nice, good neighborhood is what we always seek to live and build a family.

    Reply
  44. SweetMemoirs Page permalink
    29/09/2015 7:46 pm

    We have the best neighbors! They always knock at our door to share their homecooked food. So blessed to have them.

    Reply
  45. Mia Foo permalink
    29/09/2015 9:37 pm

    wow, you have a national good neighbour day? that’s a really interesting idea and will be a good movement for all the developed cities. i think urbanisation has pulled people apart in terms of social engagement, gone were the “kampong spirits” (good neighbourly relationships) when our local government shifted us out of the old kampongs (villages) and into the highrise flats.

    Reply
  46. Miss Millennia Mag (@MissMillMag) permalink
    29/09/2015 11:45 pm

    Such a great Motivational post and I love the story of The Wise Farmer!!

    Reply
  47. danavento permalink
    30/09/2015 4:27 am

    I do know my neighbors, but it does not change my opinion of them or want to really know more. They have been the unkindest people I have ever known. We helped a man with cancer.. sick for a year, bringing meals.. what do we get ignorance.You can see I am not able to meet the challenge but for extenuating circumstances

    Reply
  48. Rosey permalink
    30/09/2015 4:34 am

    The corn story reminds me of bloggers. it’s really best to support one another, not only because it’s nice but also because it benefits everyone when you do!

    Reply
  49. bismah2010 permalink
    30/09/2015 3:36 am

    I will always be fair to my neighbors whether they are doing good or wrong. We all have ups and downs in life and often times need support from those living close to us.

    Reply
  50. Jason Panuelos permalink
    30/09/2015 5:43 am

    This can’t be more important. This totally makes me miss the days when we lived in our old town house and how close we were with our neighbors.

    Reply
  51. franckxethee permalink
    30/09/2015 6:37 am

    I think neighbors are extensions of our family. Being good to them can make a great community.

    Reply
  52. Raymond Vasquez permalink
    30/09/2015 7:13 am

    I’ve only heard of this good neighbor day now. But it’s great to know there is one. Am now thinking if I am a good neighbor.

    Reply
  53. Diane and Lisa (@those2girls) permalink
    30/09/2015 8:39 am

    I’m very thankful to have a great relationship with my neighbours

    Reply
  54. Ling Tan permalink
    30/09/2015 8:57 am

    Good neighbours are not easy to come by and we really oughta treasure them if you get them! There is a Chinese say, “A relative living a distance away, is not as dear as a nearby neighbour. How true!

    Reply
  55. violetaloredana permalink
    30/09/2015 10:23 am

    “Your liberty ends where mine starts” and “Treat others as you’d like people to treat you” are the main words I treat my neighbors and those I’d like people to stand by while treating me as a neighbor. Unfortunately, there are people and people, and some forget to have the minimum respect for others.

    Reply
  56. Jojo Vito permalink
    30/09/2015 11:08 am

    good neighbors are important…these are the people you can run to for some help during emergencies 🙂

    Reply
  57. Jonathan Key permalink
    30/09/2015 2:22 pm

    I love the quote by President Cater. It’s so true! I like your pictures as always you are so creative.

    Reply
  58. Chubskulit Rose permalink
    30/09/2015 11:54 am

    Oh I missed to see this two days agoo. I love my neighbors and would have love to make a shoutout for them.

    Reply
  59. 3xhcch permalink
    30/09/2015 5:25 pm

    When I was a child, I used to know and play with the kids in my neighborhood. Times have really changed now. I do not know my neighbors anymore. – Fred

    Reply
  60. LizZ H. permalink
    30/09/2015 3:13 pm

    I find kindness kills all bad neighbors. Ours despised us because our dog can be heard in there apt below us. This caused them to move out….we never once complained about the fact that daddy has a bad temper, yells..screams and slams doors. Or the fact that a toddler is constantly screaming bloody murder for no apparent reason. I guess neighbors are a dime a dozen these days!

    Reply
  61. sikat101 permalink
    30/09/2015 7:06 pm

    I think we have been good with our neighbors. I have seen how some of our other neighbors fought with each other but our neighbors have been good to us. Their open kitchen in their backyard is near my bedroom window and for almost 30 years, it has been that way. I can hear their conversations and I bet they could hear ours, too. But we never found ourselves gossiping. Respect begets respect. -katrina centeno

    Reply
  62. Michelle Solee (@michisolee) permalink
    30/09/2015 7:40 pm

    I don’t really go out and talk to our neighbors but I smile at them whenever I see them. I think you can be a good neighbor if you live a good life because it can inspires and motivates people to do good.

    Reply
  63. Ashley permalink
    30/09/2015 11:04 pm

    I always love your posts. Some thought-provoking content here!

    Reply
  64. Cheryl F. permalink
    30/09/2015 10:28 pm

    Good neighbors normally can’t be found in crowded cities. I used to live in a big city for 7 years but didn’t get the chance to know them. But so much difference when you are in rural areas wherein neighbors are also a family.

    Reply
  65. Yvonne Bertoldo permalink
    30/09/2015 11:51 pm

    Nowadays, it is very hard to find good neighbors that would help you in times of difficulties. The stories you presented were very nice on how some people show and not show good will to people in their own community. How did you find such interesting stories? I liked the Deceptive Villagers and the Wise Farmer.

    Reply
  66. joskibyrne permalink
    01/10/2015 12:42 am

    I lived for the last year in Ecuador and was shocked at the difference there is there with neighbours. The area I lived in was like a small village and everyone knew one another. It was lovely and something I have not experienced in England.

    Reply
  67. Allan permalink
    01/10/2015 1:54 am

    The story of the corn farmer is really a nice way to describe a good neighbor. The farmers didn’t worry if he might lose in the contest by sharing good seeds to others.
    I actually posted the said story on my blog too.

    Reply
  68. Eileen Mendoza Loya permalink
    01/10/2015 2:12 am

    Our next door neighbor used to be so nasty. However, she turned a new leaf when my husband broke his hip. I think she found out that we were human after all. Now, she is so kind and concerned about how we are doing.

    Reply
  69. Tiffany Yong permalink
    01/10/2015 9:16 am

    I think Singapore needs this Good Neighbour campaigns too so that people try to communicate with one another instead of pretending to be strangers!

    Reply
  70. Anna permalink
    01/10/2015 9:18 am

    One way of being a good neighbor is showing respect and not being to fast to judge as well.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      01/10/2015 10:08 am

      That is true… and we are all guilty of sometimes falling short of those qualities. Being a good neighbor requires compassion and forgiveness too because to err is human and to forgive is divine. 🙂

      Reply
  71. Jessica Beal Harlow permalink
    01/10/2015 9:50 am

    I think being a good neighbor, locally and universally, is important. Why wouldn’t we be kind, generous, and helpful to one another? There are so many opportunities every day to help someone in one way or another. It’s easy to get distracted and not see those chances, but can be so life-changing when we do.

    Reply
  72. clairemoments permalink
    01/10/2015 6:59 am

    Great post, especially the part on the UN-neighbourly request reminds me how not to behave.. 🙂

    Reply
  73. JessicaACassidy (@wifetoalineman) permalink
    01/10/2015 7:58 am

    Wow! Those houses looks very nice. It must be nice to be rich.

    Reply
  74. Erin (@herheartland) permalink
    01/10/2015 1:03 pm

    I wish I knew my neighbors! I live in an apartment and our building doesn’t really socialize.

    Reply
  75. Lisa Rios permalink
    01/10/2015 10:47 am

    That is an amazing quote from Jimmy Carter & these are some wonderful & unique pictures which always makes your post so interesting & inspiring. And the quote on Goodwill from Marshall Field tops it all.

    Reply
  76. tumandok permalink
    01/10/2015 3:44 pm

    Who is my neighbor? So goes the question. Since you mention that extending kindness is done at random pace, does this mean that we should be selective in showing kindness. – Gi; Camporazo

    Reply
  77. jo permalink
    01/10/2015 6:44 pm

    Good neighbors are the best! Experienced that first-hand with our! They share with us their freshly-picked veggies, they return our trash bins and help us plow the ice during winter. They even give presents to my daughters! So sweet! Can’t leave this place knowing they’re like that. Unbeatable. Wish we look like good neighbors to them too. 🙂

    Reply
  78. Molly permalink
    01/10/2015 4:21 pm

    I think being a good neighbor starts by teaching children to be good neighbors. My parents were a fantastic example, and I hope that my husband and I have been as well. Whether that means our literal neighbors, or just other people in general, doing acts of goodwill is something we have always strived to instill in our little ones.

    Reply
  79. Brett Martin permalink
    01/10/2015 6:56 pm

    I try to be a good neighbor, but it has bitten me in the butt many times! I need to be less closed off from my neighbors.

    Reply
  80. marly_ms (@mgmhar) permalink
    02/10/2015 6:23 am

    Having a good neighbor is like having a family living close by. Sharing, caring, and helping each other are great foundation to long lasting relationship.

    Mhar Sefcik

    Reply
  81. Maria Teresa Figuerres permalink
    02/10/2015 8:50 pm

    We are lucky to have good neighbors in the condo where we live. Our couple neighbor always gives my son presents during Christmas and another male neighbor gives him chocolates whenever he sees us. Good neighbors are such a blessing!

    Reply
  82. JessDC permalink
    03/10/2015 3:59 am

    You have good neighbors only if you can be a good neighbor. 😉

    Reply
  83. laurenpaintsflorida permalink
    03/10/2015 12:53 pm

    I’ve had good neighbors and I’ve had bad neighbors… We all know which one’s we don’t want!

    Reply
  84. LifeAsAConvert permalink
    03/10/2015 11:27 pm

    I recently found out that one of my neighbors is dying of cancer and I had no clue. It made me realize I need to be a bette neighbor.

    Reply
  85. Papaleng Pagulong permalink
    04/10/2015 7:20 am

    A good neighbor to me is.. someone who treat me as a family member. 🙂

    Reply
  86. Nilyn EC Matugas permalink
    04/10/2015 6:26 pm

    We just moved here in San Mateo, Rizal and all I can say is that we have a very good neighborhood here unlike previous places we lived in, this one’s a lot quiter and we also have weekly bible study with the neighbors so it’s really great.

    Reply
  87. Donna Cristobal permalink
    06/10/2015 9:25 pm

    I am not sure if I am a good neighbor. My family recently moved from the city to suburbs and until now, I don’t even know who my neighbors are 🙁

    Reply
  88. Melgie permalink
    07/10/2015 5:05 am

    Having a great neighbor is always nice and fun. Someone who will looked after your house while your on vacation. Although, I haven’t known my neighbor for that long, she’s very nice and always say HI every time we see each other.

    Reply
  89. Grace permalink
    08/10/2015 2:25 am

    we have a couple of neighbors here that treats us like family as well. my kids call them lolo and lola not just because they’re giving respect but they also feel special with these two elders as well.

    Reply
  90. Shelly permalink
    08/10/2015 8:04 pm

    I didn’t know there was ever a National Good Neighbor Day. We’re blessed to have good neighbors. The ones next door watch the house for us whenever we’re not home, especially when they know that my teenage daughter is alone at home.

    Reply
  91. Mommy Maye permalink
    08/10/2015 10:28 pm

    For me, good neighbors are blessings like our friends. Because in times of great needs, you can count on them.

    Reply
  92. theresa permalink
    11/10/2015 1:24 am

    I might say I’m not a good neighbor myself. i have my own world. Guess I should start befriending my neighbors soon. 🙂

    Reply
  93. Mark Villar permalink
    11/10/2015 3:43 am

    I know only few of our neighbors and I don’t even have the chance to talk with them. I guess I’m a bad neighbor too. 🙁

    Reply
  94. Chanelle permalink
    15/10/2015 10:52 am

    I love to interact with my neighbors. At times it can be difficult but it is worth the engagement.

    Reply
  95. kumamonjeng permalink
    20/08/2018 5:08 pm

    I have a good neighbor who is so kind and helping to get the fresh seafood, such as fishes and prawn from the market every week. I think I am so lucky to have met such a kind neighbors. This need to be two ways and no taking thing for granted.

    Reply

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