I read one person’s blog this morning that had their definition of what a “good neighbor” is.  Cherylann Marois’s, whose blog is Ramble Time – Reinvented , definition of a “good neighbor” is “Someone who helps others out of the goodness of their heart not because they want something in return but because that person is in need.”

She further goes on to state about the only time she sees people being “good neighbors” is when there is a big disaster, like the recent earthquake in Haiti or around Christmas time.  She believes that the reason for this is that most people are too focused on themselves to help others.  She also talks about the things she does in her greater community to be a “good neighbor”.  

While I agree whole heartedly with her definition of what a “good neighbor” is, and how many people are too focused on themselves to offer any type of assistance to their neighbors, I wanted to add my thoughts about being a “good neighbor” to her conversation.  The only thing I am not totally on board with her about is the amount of people who lack “good neighbor” skills.  .

I think there are more people being “good neighbors” than is immediately obvious.  With times being so hard right now, and most everyone having a decline in finances, I believe more people are stepping up to the plate to be a “good neighbor” than did so in the recent past.  They are just doing it closer to home and very quietly so it is difficult to get an accurate idea of how many people are really being “good neighbors”.

I also think that family, not living with you, can be “good neighbors”.  Family does not have to help you.  There is no law that says family members should do anything for each other.  I know that there are many families who choose not to help each other out.  So when family members choose to go out of their way to help another family member, I consider that being a “good neighbor”.

I believe that being a “good neighbor” encompasses more than just physical acts.  Encouraging words are just as valuable as doing good deeds for someone.  Helping someone through a difficult emotional time in their lives is being a “good neighbor”. I am not talking about giving them advice, everyone is good at telling other people what they think, I am talking about being there as emotional support.  

I believe that it is possible for us to be “good neighbors” in our online community.  There are many things we can do for the people we know online that will lift them up and encourage them.  Bloggers have the awards they give out, there are online cards we can send, we can email a thoughtful note, or in the case of bloggers we can leave each other encouraging comments on each other’s blogs. 

I personally have some excellent neighbors in my life.  There is the neighbor across the road that has been down to my house chopping firewood for us, more than once, and he does not even have a fireplace.  There is my sister-in-law, who helped spring me from the loony bin.  My parents have also been excellent neighbors.  Recently, my mother told me how “proud” she was of me and the work I have been doing to get mentally healthy.

What does being a “good neighbor” mean to you?  Do you believe that family can be considered “good neighbors”?  Do you think that people can be “good neighbors” in an online community?  Is giving someone encouragement rather than doing a physical act for them being a “good neighbor”  Finally, do you think people in general are not “good neighbors” now, or that there are many “good neighbors” in our real life communities?