There's No Place Like Home (Home? Huh?)

Location, location, location. How many times have we heard that a mood, a moment, a special memory is attributed to a location. When was the last time you looked outside your window? Not a passing glance, but an honest look. Forget the weather and focus on who you do or do not see. Go ahead take a look, I’ll wait. Some of you might be looking at a brick wall while others may be looking out at a bed of roses. Is your neighborhood an integrated community or a slum? Who is walking past? Do you see your neighbor, the one with whom you share your concerns for the community or do you see your neighbor "what's her name"? Do your children play with their children or have you told you child for the millionth time to stay away from them, they're not your kind? One cannot help but be influenced by what lies beyond their window.

Does this mean that only those who see beautiful foliage and singing birds will be successful, happy people? Will the child who looks beyond the alley, over the trashcans, past the homeless man lying behind the liquor store be doomed to a life of poverty and squalor? Of course not! But the perspective that a person holds in their heart is directly affected by the environment which greets them as they head out into the world each day. This is why we need to create a peaceful, clean environment. Although you may not be able to change the fact that you are living in an apartment, which is attached to so many identical apartments, you can still do something.

Perhaps a good way to start would be to introduce yourself to some of your neighbors. I lived on the same block for 17 years and one day realized that I knew the full name of only four people on my block -- and three people by a name, although I am not sure it was their name. There had to be in excess of 70 different families that lived on that street. Although I did the usual nodding hello to some, I did not have a clue as to who they really were. Rather than creating the proverbial village that raises one child we have chosen to become islands upon ourselves. Disconnected from our neighbors, we view our neighborhoods as the place where our stuff is. Gone are the days where your neighbors looked out for your children and you looked out for theirs. This is the dawning of a new day -- every man, woman and child for themselves.

Warm is the memory of children selling lemonade, block parties, the neighborhood grocer, the cop on the beat, borrowing a cup of sugar or just the way your dog nipped at Joe the Mailman's leg. Yes, warm are those memories -- but those memories are not yours. In our quick fix, detached society we view our neighborhoods as a place to pass on the way to and from work. If by some miracle we allot ourselves some time to enjoy, we pack up the car and race out of our neighborhood. Interestingly enough, many people only know the path they travel to and from work, yet, are unable to give directions only a few blocks away. This environmental disassociation enables us to continually turn a blind eye to even those things that are within our power to fix. We are a people who take no pride in their homeland as would be evidenced by even the simplest attention - such as picking up some trash rather than tossing more.

What has taken years of disinterest to create cannot be fixed in a simple, one-step manner. Does that mean that it cannot be improved? Ask yourself a few questions: What does the front of your house look like? Are the hedges trimmed or does it look like Amazonian underbrush? Is your sidewalk swept or do you have to leap over the garbage and tiptoe around the care package that the neighbors' dog left just to get by. It is up to you to take pride in the outside of your home as well as the inside. There is no reason why a person who lives in an apartment could not make sure that the front of their building is neat and tidy. This may be the job of the building owner or the super, but it is YOUR HOME. I’m sure your landlord’s home looks simply wonderful. In the grand scheme of things, you are the one who can either take pride in your surroundings or have your date drop you off two blocks away so they don't see where you live.

Whether you sweep up trash, paint a railing, or screw the door handle back in place, you have made a difference. Others will show more respect for a well kept home than for a home in a state of disrepair. Shedding apathy is contagious; therefore, you can look upon your newfound concern for your environment as a way to change more than just your 3 feet of space. But is beautifying enough? There is still the people whom you have dutifully nodded at for the last 10 years or so. Perhaps you have, at last, found a common ground, it is their neighborhood too.

Involving yourself in your neighborhood can include many different activities. You might want to join -- or create -- a community group. Maybe the neighborhood playground resembles a prison exercise yard. Churches are always organizing something; become more involved in their activities. Get to know the stores and merchants in your area; after all, the small merchant depends upon your business to survive (so if you don't like them, well . . . you know). Meet the parents of your child's friends. Heck, why not meet your child's friends. Start a petition to put a speed bump on the neighborhood drag strip. Do you know who your politicians are? Do you know what they are? What are they doing (or more often than not, not doing) to help the community? The point is, even a little work, if done by many, can effectuate major change. If you walk through your neighborhood feeling pride and community spirit, rather than apathy or disdain, certainly your perspective would be improved. Feeling good inside transcends you and touches those people and things around you.

On a final note, it is a common understanding that plants which bask in the sunlight and warmth of your care thrive (yes I know, they need water too). On the other hand, put your plant on the windowsill, shove a little water at it now and again and watch. Chances are you will be looking at yourself when walking through a neighborhood which you care nothing about, and which cares nothing about you.