We live in a world where minding your business is almost like a rule; people say it proudly, as if keeping to themselves is the best way to live, and honestly, sometimes it is. Because nobody wants drama. But come to think of it, how well do we even know our neighbors, not just their names or their cars in the driveway, but do we really know the person living with us as neighbors? If the person is a robber or a kidnapper, we don't even know because of too much minding of our business.
Knowing and interacting with my neighbors has saved me a lot of time from trouble. I know the world is wicked, but not everybody in it is heartless. Back then in school, I used to have this neighbor that was so gentle and didn't talk much. Even if we called for a compound meeting, he would just sit on his own without talking with anybody and just be observing.
If we like, let us argue from January till the next year; he won't answer us. Even if people are fighting, he will just pass and pretend like nobody exists. If you ever knock on his door for anything, he won't answer you. If you try to peep through his windows, maybe if it has been days that we didn't hear him open his door, he will bark at us to mind our business.
My caretaker back then had a routine of always knocking on our doors to make sure we were all alive. According to him, he didn't want to record dead, as it has happened before. But you see, this guy has warned him to stay off, and he respects his wish.
One early morning I was very sick and couldn't even stand up, and I didn't play my usual morning music with my Bluetooth; that's how my neighbors know that something is wrong, and about two of them came to knock on my door. I wasn't answering, but my voice was low. They had to call my line, and it was ringing inside. I managed to pick and told them I can move.
That's how they all came to my rescue, but you see that my other neighbor didn't even show concern until one day he fell seriously ill and was purging inside the house, and nobody knew, and even people that suspected didn't bother to check up on him. Not until there was a foul smell coming out from his room.
That's when we all notify our caretaker, who knocks and knocks, but no answer. We have to break his door, and lo! He was almost dead, as he was lying on his feces, his breathing very shallow. We took him to the hospital and helped him clean his house despite his unfriendly nature.
Life works better when we look out for each other. Being friendly doesn't mean crossing boundaries or invading people's privacy;it's about balance鈥攔especting personal space while still being approachable.
We all don't need to be best friends with our neighbors, but we should at least be someone they know they can count on. Remember emergencies don't give warnings; your pipe can burst anytime, there might be a fire outbreak, and you will need your neighbors to help.
I'm the kind of neighbor that I would like to have: easygoing, not overly minding my business, and never poking my nose in people's affairs but still friendly.
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