1. Who is your neighbour?
EACH person will have their own views about neighbours. Introverts prefer to live by themselves. Extroverts need a space to make and win friends. Some people may not have anyone living next to them. Others deliberately choose to move away from many people and live by themselves. The criteria for choosing one’s neighbourhood often depend on the individual’s personality.

A neighbour is someone who lives next to another person or is situated close to another. This does not refer to neighbouring countries but rather to individuals. Some people have great love for their neighbours, while others dislike them. For some, their neighbours are like angels, but for others, they are like evil people.

In every community, the way neighbours interact will differ, but they are still neighbours. Measuring how a neighbour will respond is difficult, especially if a person moves from one community and lives in another. Each community may have its own culture, and some neighbours will adapt to that culture. Others may not and will remain unchanged within the community.

2. Where do your neighbours live?
Some people still experience difficulty understanding who their neighbour is, since they do not think many people meet their criteria. Because of bad experiences, some people do not want anyone to be their neighbour and prefer to isolate themselves from the community. However, despite people’s best efforts, they cannot isolate themselves from everyone. Even if they lock themselves in their house, they will still have to purchase groceries, visit the doctor, pay utility bills, and attend work to earn a living. Therefore, they cannot completely shut themselves out from everyone.

Keeping a distance from some people may be wise, but not everyone can take this approach. Some people have good intentions of helping others but need openness from them. If they clear their minds of past hurts and have positive interactions, they may very well find themselves relating with others who will make their lives enjoyable.

Finding good neighbours is not easy. Still, efforts should be made to live well with your neighbour. Those who choose to ignore others may find themselves in a challenging situation where they need help but have no one to come to their rescue. Neighbours are too important, so do not discard them. Give yourself the opportunity to learn about them, and then decide how close you want to be. At the initial stage, manage the amount of information you provide since not all may be genuine.

3. What do your neighbours need from you?
Giving to neighbours is often commendable. However, that must not become the norm since some people can become too dependent. Some people become neighbours because of their expectations of one another. Friendships must be built, not just happen. This similarly applies to neighbours, where the relationship evolves over time. People may expect that being neighbours with wealthy or influential individuals will make life better for them. Oftentimes, such expectations are realised but not guaranteed.

Some neighbours only want to receive, while others only want to give without accepting anything in return. Remember, the process of building a relationship will require that both parties are willing to share something of mutual interest, and over time, the friendship will develop. Neighbours do not have to give the same quantity or value of things to show their appreciation. Giving by either neighbour may include tangible and intangible things.

4. Helping your neighbour
Every neighbour must be seen as important. Neighbours can help one another since they live near each other. It is disturbing to see people living close but not communicating. They may be living angry lives. During an emergency, the help of a neighbour may be important, especially if no one in the household can provide assistance.

Every neighbour will have needs. A neighbour who is wealthy, well-educated, or has many children may still have needs that they cannot fulfil by themselves. While some neighbours are willing to acknowledge their needs, others may be reserved and may not want anyone to know.

Not every neighbour will make their needs known. Therefore, others must be tactful enough to find out. As time progresses, some neighbours may share their needs willingly. Some of those needs may be known through conversations. Others may be identified through observation. However, once a neighbour’s needs are identified, efforts must be made to protect such confidential information. Not every neighbour wants their needs to be broadcasted.

Confidentiality is not something everyone embraces. Those who recognise their neighbours as trustworthy may share deep issues with them, knowing such information will not be publicised. The needs of some people may be simple and harmless to share, but other needs may be very private and should not be shared with others.

People from time to time may have deep issues they do not want disclosed, as they do not want such needs to be widely known. A workmate who needs a pay increase may be willing to share that need with colleagues who may assist them in obtaining that increase.

5. Protecting your neighbours’ possessions
Support is essential among neighbours. People must try to protect one another. Whatever possessions they have must also be protected. Neighbours should be concerned about each other’s well-being. They must do their best to live in harmony and also look out for one another without becoming involved in all the details of each other’s lives.
In some communities, burglars may try to invade homes. However, a vigilant neighbour who is at home may observe strange activity and take appropriate action. When burglars enter another person’s property, the neighbour should avoid direct confrontation but contact law enforcement who are trained to handle such matters.

In cases where a neighbour mistakenly leaves their gate open, a concerned neighbour can communicate this to them so they can address it. If it is a manual gate, the neighbour might even assist in closing it. Remember, when a neighbour looks out for others in the community, they may also be doing something good for themselves.

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