I was raised with two very strong beleifs. One is that lying is wrong and two that a good neighbour is worth more than a good friend. I did not understand what was meant by the second one until I was 22 years old.
My mother was hurt in an accident when I was 21 and she needed some special equipment to help her get out of bed and stuff. We could not afford it so our community held a benefit dance to help us. During the dance I looked around the hall and noticed two things I didn't know most of these people and only a handful were friends to my parents. When I asked dad about it, he said, "These are good neighbours".
So what is a good neighbour? My definition is quite simple...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. These days about the only time you see this is when there is a disaster like the Haiti thing or around Christmas time. I suppose in this day and age that is to be expected. We have all become a bit narcissistic in our approach to life and living it. A bit too much me, me, me and not nearly enough us or we.
Does that sound harsh? It is a bit. I am no exception to this by the way but I do try to do my bit for good causes all the time not just some of the time. I am not crowing or expecting any praise for what follows. It is just what I do.
I contribute to Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy and Canadian Diabetes Association every month with gifts of clothing, household goods and other stuff. During the summer I help my husband with his work with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) by attending events and helping out with raffles and such. I don't often give to beggars but will if I have an extra toonie or three on me and if I see the ones selling the paper I almost always buy one. Most of the jobs I like were for charities or community agencies. This year I'm planning on joining a visitors program and maybe a shopping program for seniors.
This is what I do and I don't need or want any recognition for it. What I would like is for more people to follow my example!
That being said I am a bit peeved at 13 Division here in Toronto because they have decided that I deserve an award and are giving both my husband and I one on the 28th of this month. Its called a good citizen award but they would be better to call it the good neighbour award I think. Anyway I'm peeved for two reasons: One I have to get dressed up and two I don't think I've done anything special just what was needed at the time.
My mother was hurt in an accident when I was 21 and she needed some special equipment to help her get out of bed and stuff. We could not afford it so our community held a benefit dance to help us. During the dance I looked around the hall and noticed two things I didn't know most of these people and only a handful were friends to my parents. When I asked dad about it, he said, "These are good neighbours".
So what is a good neighbour? My definition is quite simple...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. These days about the only time you see this is when there is a disaster like the Haiti thing or around Christmas time. I suppose in this day and age that is to be expected. We have all become a bit narcissistic in our approach to life and living it. A bit too much me, me, me and not nearly enough us or we.
Does that sound harsh? It is a bit. I am no exception to this by the way but I do try to do my bit for good causes all the time not just some of the time. I am not crowing or expecting any praise for what follows. It is just what I do.
I contribute to Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy and Canadian Diabetes Association every month with gifts of clothing, household goods and other stuff. During the summer I help my husband with his work with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) by attending events and helping out with raffles and such. I don't often give to beggars but will if I have an extra toonie or three on me and if I see the ones selling the paper I almost always buy one. Most of the jobs I like were for charities or community agencies. This year I'm planning on joining a visitors program and maybe a shopping program for seniors.
This is what I do and I don't need or want any recognition for it. What I would like is for more people to follow my example!
That being said I am a bit peeved at 13 Division here in Toronto because they have decided that I deserve an award and are giving both my husband and I one on the 28th of this month. Its called a good citizen award but they would be better to call it the good neighbour award I think. Anyway I'm peeved for two reasons: One I have to get dressed up and two I don't think I've done anything special just what was needed at the time.
