Growing up, I wasn't fortunate enough to live in an environment that would prompt me to mind my business. "Yeah," I grew up in an environment where I interacted with other children and learn certain things from the adults around me.
I grew up in an environment where I was loved by many, both children and adults. They would say, "This girl acts like an adult." That is what I was mostly known as, maybe because of how I do things, and kudos to my parents for the upbringing. I can remember vividly when mother had an issue with a neighbor and after the whole thing was over, mum called us into the house and be like "don't be go to that aunt's house again" at the moment of the conversation we would all nod and be like "yes mummy" but then when we step our feet out of the door those words have slowly being drained out of our heads.
When we step outside, we would go play around the aunt and sometimes enter her house, and mum, on the other hand, would look at us like "these children don't keep to words." Now that is children for you. I can remember when mum went to the local market and forgot to drop our house key with the security personnel, on getting home from school my siblings and I stood outside like abandoned children but when our neighbor "the aunty we were advised not to enter her house" had just gotten back from work.
And saw us outside the house and was like, "Why are you people outside?" Then we told her what happened and she offered that we stay at her place and wait for mum. "Did we refuse?" Of course not we didn't. Rather, we entered the house, and the aunt even gave us dinner. We stayed in her house for some hours, "some of us have started sleeping already," before mum came and carried us to the house.
After mum took us to the house she went back to our neighbor and appreciated her for the kind act that was performed, despite the misunderstanding she had with my mother, she still accepted and took care of us when mum wasn't around.
Not all neighbors are bad and possess evil intentions towards us; some are angels sent to us to make our lives a lot smoother. Now that doesn't mean all neighbors are; I haven't been privileged enough to meet a heartless neighbor whose intentions aren't pure but rather dark.
I live with my neighbors peacefully because I don't know what is likely to happen tomorrow, I treat them like family, but not all of them, though. But the truth is, some neighbors have grown to be our family, while some we just keep at a distance and still interact with them rather than avoiding them like they don't exist.
It is very important to know your neighbor because the fact that you live in the same environment as them is something that should be worth putting into consideration while knowing your neighbors. Being a good neighbor is very important because it will create a safe environment for you and your family. And not forgetting the ability to look out for each other's properties.
Knowing your neighbor is gonna build a mutual connection and foster a sense of belonging and no doubt that is gonna make the neighborhood more enjoyable and fun to live in. Living in a conducive environment creates room for sanity and mental wellness.
Now, getting to know a neighbor boils down to an individual preference, though. But then getting to know your neighbor has so many potential benefits.
Thanks for reading 🧡
