Mind Your Own Business

Most of the time I like this idea. "If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it," right? I have faced some difficult situations over the years when I minded someone else's business. Besides, we live in a world when you're not only supposed to do things your "own" way, but you're also supposed to let everyone else do things their own way. Not only "let" them do things their way, but "tolerate" it and even applaud it.

But I've been re-thinking this idea recently. I have come to the conclusion that this idea has contributed strongly to the end of the neighborhood as we once knew it. If everyone "minds their own business" then who is offering advice, holding people accountable for their actions, being the eyes and ears of parents who both work, or re-directing wrong thinking. There, I said it, people can think wrongly.

We need each other!

So, though there are times and places when one must mind one's own business (I am never going to tell a woman that she has toilet paper on her shoe, or, "that dress makes you look pregnant"), I am more convinced than ever that if we are to reside in a true community, everyone must mind other people's business.

To that end, I am declaring today, September 24, 2007, "National Mind Your Neighbor's Business Day." I give you permission to stop acting like you don't see your neighbor's kids lighting off fireworks. I empower you to confront (with much love) the much-too-young-to-be-out-this-late children who are out in front of your house at 11:00 on Friday night. I urge you to bake a cake for your neighbor who is undergoing his third treatment for hemorrhoids (but not spice cake). I invite you (I am going to try to do this, too) to build extra time into your Saturday outside project just HOPING the neighbor will come home with groceries you can help carry in (or just talk about "kids these days"). I implore you to call the police when you hear inordinate screaming coming from houses around you. Get involved.

You can mind other people's business appropriately when you realize a couple things:

• There is a right way to live and a wrong way. Be empowered by Truth.
• Live out humility all the time (make room for your neighbor to mind your business, too). Don't be defensive. Hear'em out.
  
• No one wants a lecture, everyone wants to be loved. How you say it is as important as what you say.
  

At the ripe old age of 37 I have decided to stop living as if I don't notice half of the goings on in the world because I am afraid to get involved, tick someone off or I'm simply out of practice. Let's mind each other's business.

In an aside, Hallmark will be getting on board this idea beginning in 2008. Some of the early suggestions they made for 2008 Mind Your Neighbor's Business Day greeting cards:
-Cover: "If I had it to do over again, I would've . . ." Inside: "Told you this 3 years ago."
-Cover: "Thanks for keeping . . ." Inside: "a close eye on your Boa Constrictor."
-And my personal fave: Cover: "If I were you . . ." Inside: "I'd ask for some help."

I have asked that my holiday colors be Magenta and Clear.

Hey, let's get involved in each other's lives. It's a beautiful thing!