The Sunshine Report Being Kind, Being Thoughtful, Taking Action! ‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on what it means to be a good neighbor and how even small acts of kindness can have a hugely positive impact on the lives of others.’ Ever wonder what it means to be a good neighbor? Or better yet – have you ever thought about what nice gesture or act of kindness a neighbor of yours might appreciate? Perhaps a neighbor where you live? Could even be a ‘work neighbor.’ In any event, someone with whom you share a proximity – and someone who could almost certainly benefit from some form of human goodness. These are the simple things. Being aware. Being thoughtful. And taking action. So, vitally important, especially in these times when people are feeling increasingly isolated and lonely – and very much looking for community. Won’t you be my neighbor? It’s a phrase all of us have heard, made famous by the one and only Mr. Rogers. Yet when he said this, Mr. Rogers wasn’t necessarily referring to someone we live next to, he was also referring to treating those whom we meet throughout our lives. Each one of us will be the giver or receiver of someone’s help. To be supported and supporting others enables us to connect with other people. When we’re a good neighbor, we help build trust, hope, and understanding. Realistically, a neighbor could be just about anyone. It could be someone we sit down next to on a plane, a person we’re in line with at the grocery store, even someone who may not come from the same place as we do, but who we share a mutual experience with. So, in this context, what does it mean to truly be a good neighbor? Back on September 11th as the world came to grips with the events that unfolded that day, what also emerged were countless stories of how humanity can bond and come together in difficult times. One of those stories took place in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, population just under 10,000. An American woman named Jackie Pinto was flying home from Italy when the news broke and her flight became one of more than 250 flights that had to divert to Canada, including 38 commercial flights that landed in Gander that day, an airport that usually sees only a handful of commercial flights a year. After spending 24 hours on their plane, they were cleared to go through customs, yet neither Gander nor the surrounding areas had enough hotel rooms for the almost 7,000 passengers who were stranded until American airspace reopened. And so local TV stations put out a call to “lend a hand, do what you can.” Within hours, schools and nonessential businesses were closed, and Newfoundlanders ranging from senior citizens to schoolchildren stepped in to volunteer and support the stranded travelers or ‘Plane People’ as they became locally known. Schools, legions, churches and more became temporary residences. Some people even opened their own homes. Pharmacies filled prescriptions for free, phones were installed so the Plane People could call loved ones, and even the Gander ice rink was turned into a food bank which was dubbed ‘the largest walk-in freezer in Canada.’ Not only that, but locals organized town tours, bowling matches, and even concerts. To be so kind to complete strangers may seem out of the norm, but as one local woman put it, “You don’t turn your back on your neighbors.” Life is incredibly unpredictable and even when we’re not faced with the life-altering impact of 9/11, it can still be incredibly hard. Yet what the people of Gander demonstrated that day is a valuable lesson about our capacity to be kind and help others. Each of us has our own challenges and face our own adversity each and every day, and so to be a good neighbor, even to those we don’t know, can make a truly significant impact on those around you. And, perhaps not surprisingly, can also be of tremendous benefit to yourself – feeling good, with a sense of fulfillment, and knowing that you have just done something that has made the world a little bit better! Read The Report Robert Frost – Being a Good Neighbor – in New England Read More The Great Neighborhoods of New Hampshire   Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Mister Rogers … “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” This week we are delighted to profile someone who epitomizes the very idea of what it means to be a good neighbor, Mister Rogers! "When I think of a good neighbor, I immediately think of Mister Rogers. Fred Rogers, who was famous for his public television show that ran for 31 seasons, asked in every episode, 'Won't you be my neighbor?' An unlikely TV star, Rogers started his small-screen career in 1968 in Pittsburgh through community television, and his show eventually became a national sensation. However, his TV career was not what he originally planned, as Rogers was an ordained minister. He attended Dartmouth College in 1946 and stayed there for one year before transferring to another school for his divinity degree. But his heart was for children. He pursued a graduate degree in child development and was famous for his kindness and generosity as so often demonstrated on his show, helping kids understand and control their feelings. A member of our Sunshine team shared a personal story about Mr. Rogers. Back in 1995, his son was suffering from severe medical issues, and his mother knew Mr. Rogers through their church affiliation. She asked if he would give my team member’s son a call. Not only did he spend about 15 minutes on the phone with him, but he also sent him a box of Mr. Rogers' goodies, including a signed shirt. Mr. Rogers didn't just ‘talk the talk,’ but followed through with human caring. Rogers came back to Dartmouth in 2002 to give the commencement speech, which was one of his final public appearances before he died in 2003. In 2018, the U.S. Post Office honored him with a forever stamp. Who among us will ever forget the opening scene of the show, Mister Rogers putting on his sneakers, and the magic of being invited to be his neighbor? Thank you, Fred Rogers, for the enormous positive impact you have made on several generations of Americans! Quote of the Week “A neighbor is a friend whose company we cherish, and whose rights we respect."  - James Fenimore Cooper     Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]