How to cleverly deal with annoying neighbors
How to cleverly deal with annoying neighbors
I don’t mean to be overly critical here, but would the kind Samaritan have taken all those actions if the person who was mugged had genuinely been someone from his neighborhood?
Not just a person or individual in the vicinity or even within the same area, but — oh, darling! — one who resided immediately adjacent? For example:
— The individual who does not (repeat, does not) cut his grass until it reaches a minimum of (repeat, a minimum of) 18 inches tall.
— The individual who relaxes on her porch, consuming, consuming, consuming cigarette after cigarette, with the smoke drifting over a communal fence into your garden.
Your yard.
Your lungs.
Resembling a form of 21st-century mustard gas.
You’ve addressed the matter with your neighbor in a courteous manner.
Her reply? “I realize I ought to stop. And I will. Eventually.”
Uh huh, just like the planet has been orbiting the sun … for some time.
Nevertheless, your spouse has communicated with hers. What was his response?
“Oh indeed, she is quite fond of her cigarettes. I mentioned to her that she needed to take that outside.”
Didja now?
— Then there are the individuals. A “dual pleasure.”
Late night booming sounds. Early morning roaring cars. (One on the left side of your home, the other on the right.) It goes without saying, any efforts you make to grab even a bit of rest as the night fades away are exasperatingly pointless.
— Naturally, any compilation like this would be lacking if it didn’t mention the neighbors’ free-roaming dogs suffering from, um, digestive problems. Additionally, there are those cats that persistently mistake your rose garden for their personal litter box.
Just a handful of instances, correct? Indeed, you might think of several more instantly. Your fatigued mind.
Would you assist your neighbor?
So! Now we ask you.
So! Now consider this question for yourself. Would you make an effort to assist that individual if you encountered them on your journey to the mall?
Hold on! It must be emphasized, you see, they are in constant need because they perpetually find themselves caught in their revolving cycle of want. This cycle consists of: Borrow, utilize, misplace, misuse, damage, accept no responsibility, and rarely, if ever, return an item. This has been the case from the moment they (or you) arrived.
At this moment, en route to the shopping center, they appear so desolate and powerless. Ha!
You are aware that they are aware! What they desire, darling, you possess it.
And all you’re requesting is a bit … relief, relief, relief. Relief.
“R.E.S.P.I T.E. Remove this neighbor from my vicinity!”
Great news. Here’s the way to “hit them hard, hit them hard, hit them hard … ” and so forth.
Moreover!, throughout it all, being what, being who, Jesus requests you to be.
In the simplest terms: They descend, you ascend. They sink further, you rise higher.
And as you are aware and likely have encountered occasionally — wow! — it is certainly frustrating when a person behaves that way.
Annoying with nice
This isn’t harming with benevolence. It’s irritating with sweetness.
For instance:
1. Bob and Sheila (renowned for their knack for one-upping others) arrive with a brand new vehicle and position it in their driveway, positioned right next to yours … which accommodates your decidedly-not-new automobile.
He beeps, with enthusiasm. She bounces out, with joy. You rush out your front entrance, clasp his hand, embrace her, and exclaim, “That could be the most beautiful car I’ve ever laid eyes on! I am so thrilled for you.”
2. Let’s refer to him as Eeyore. The guy two houses away who’s never content unless he’s feeling miserable. However! He despises being “out-miserabled.” Which, apparently, is precisely what another neighbor is accomplishing. The one whose spouse passed away a year ago. Eeyore believes she ought to be “over it” by this point. Seriously!
However, you, dear rascal, persist in providing her with solace. To lend an ear to her. To assure her that she and her deceased spouse are in your thoughts and in the Masses you have offered for them.
The widow naively brings up that to Eeyore and really does fry his taters! (To use a phrase that signifies “upset him.”)
3. Here’s a timeless flash point: festive Christmas lights. In this scenario, it’s two (fuming) birds, with one stone. At first look, Mr. Hatfield and Mr. McCoy appear to genuinely cherish all things Christmas, but they are passionate about adorning their homes. To such a degree the Magi might have overlooked the Star in the East due to the brilliance from the eaves.
The two rivals desire your judgment; they have faith in you to assess and ultimately proclaim which home adornments are superior. Therefore… after thorough observation and consideration, you highlight the outstanding aspects of each and then declare your preference for both equally. In simpler terms, it’s a substantial, undeniable tie. No one emerges victorious. No one faces defeat. This results in both individuals becoming allies in their mutual disdain for you, bonded over their contempt for you. You, alongside the small plastic snowman and Nativity display gracing your front yard.
They stroll away, each heading to their respective residences, all eager for summer and their ruthless evaluations of your pitiful landscaping and gardening abilities.
Even at this moment, one refers to you as “Mr. Brown Thumb” while the other agrees enthusiastically.
| Every one of us, every day |
|---|
“The works of mercy reawaken in us the need, and the ability, to make the faith alive and active with charity. “I am convinced that, through these simple, daily actions, we can achieve a true cultural revolution, like there was in the past. If every one of us, every day, does one of these, this will be a revolution in the world! Everyone, each and every one of us. “How many Saints are remembered even today, not for the great works which they accomplished, but for the charity which they knew how to impart! … “These works of mercy are the features of the face of Jesus Christ, who takes care of his littlest brethren in order to bring the tenderness and closeness of God to each of them. “May the Holy Spirit help us; may the Holy Spirit kindle within us the desire to live this way of life: at least once a day, at least! Let us again learn the corporal and spiritual works of mercy by heart, and ask the Lord to help us put them into practice every day, and in those moments where we see Jesus in a person who is in need.” — Pope Francis, General Audience, October 12, 2016 |
Soar with the saints
Thus, instead of initiating or intensifying an ongoing neighborhood dispute, you simply fulfill your duties, adhering to your Christian principles.
And if one consequence is elevated blood pressure for some individuals, then it can be stated that Jesus irritated quite a number of people during his era by … simply being Jesus.
Even so, like you, he undoubtedly encountered certain individuals — cough, Pharisees — who deemed him to be excessive, if not a habitual “goody two-sandals.”
That could be you. In flip-flops.
Oh, if only, if only there were some reliable guides outlining how we might, how we ought to engage and interact with others. Hmm.
Certainly … maybe you observed in the earlier examples:
Number 1: The Tenth Commandment: “You shall not desire your neighbor’s possessions.”
Number 2: The fourth spiritual act of mercy: “Console the grieving.” (However, there’s also the sixth one: “Endure injustices with patience.”)
Number 3: The seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are the peace-bringers for they shall be recognized as the children of God.”
Lists, instructions. Methods to “rise above.” To ascend alongside the saints as your feelings of irritation diminish in the radiant glow of God’s love.
Guaranteed.
