There’s been a long standing trend with people not knowing (or wanting to know) their neighbours. It may have been when we adopted the idea of moving into a house instead of a community.

A kind of paradoxical conundrum of wanting to move into a “good” neighbourhood and have “good” neighbours without caring about what makes it good and how to contribute to it.

In any event, two years of isolation has us scrambling to figure out how to be social again. During that time, we did witness people reach out and find ways to be supportive of their community.

It was heart-warming and now it’s time to take it a step further.

The past memories of borrowing a cup of sugar are kind of moot in a world where you can get groceries delivered to your door within an hour. And while many community associations are popping up to organize events as a way to meet, what happens afterwards?

Start by being a catalyst.

Grab your BBQ and bring it to the front yard and let the smells invite conversation.

Grab some lawn chairs and beverages, put them on your driveway and offer to anyone who asks.

Buy, or borrow, a telescope, set it up at night and people will want to take a look.

Go for a walk without headphones, or agenda, and greet people as you meet them.

The goal isn’t to create a utopia, but to move things in a better direction. Better, not perfect.

If we can show how to be a good neighbour, others may want to show how they can be good neighbours as well.