We all want to live in safe, productive communities. Here are five things you can do to achieve that.
Buying Locally
One of the best things you can do to help your community is to buy products and services from regional vendors. For example, if something is wrong with your drains, ejector pump, or gas lines, you should call the local plumbers and have it repaired. The same goes if you need enhancements to your lawn, the air conditioning is not working properly, or you want a new set of windows or doors.
By buying locally, you are doing two very important things. First, you are supporting businesses in your area and helping them achieve growth. In time, they can pay you back by funding neighborhood programs that aid all residents of the area, including yourself. Second, you are ensuring the money rendered for a product or service stays within the community. This also leads to development and overall economic prosperity.
A Good Education
Communities are only as strong as the members living inside them. If every citizen in a locality has a good education and high moral values, chances are this place will be safe. Furthermore, people will understand the importance of looking out for each other and collaborating towards achieving common goals.
By the same token, if the community lacks in these areas, the result will be high levels of criminality, underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, and corruption.
It is your responsibility as a parent to teach your kids how to be good citizens. Even if you don’t have the money to send them to the top schools and universities, this is not an excuse not to educate them in the values of fairness, honesty, accountability, and hard work.
Building Networks
Human beings are social creatures. We are not meant to be alone for the entirety of our lives. In fact, it is the opposite. One of the many purposes of our existence is to meet others, establish relationships, and share the happy moments that come along with them. And while the most fundamental of these bonds are the ones we have with our families, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t extend to our communities as well.
If you see your neighbor at the supermarket, say hello. No matter what kind of day he’s had, chances are he will not answer you back with an insult or a harsh look. Instead, he will probably say hello back and, soon enough, you will find yourself having an interesting conversation. Who knows, one day you might need him, or he might need you, and both of you will have somebody you know you can trust.
Establishing Initiatives
Based on various factors that include stability, culture and environment, and infrastructure, Auckland, New Zealand, is the best place to live in the world. But that doesn’t mean it is perfect and there is nothing to improve. Most importantly, it also doesn’t mean that if its citizens don’t continue their efforts, it will remain the best for the generations to come.
The same can be said for your community, regardless of where you live. If you get together with a few of your neighbors and sit for a few hours to think about areas of improvement, you will find them. Whether it is something related to recycling, education, employment, or anything else, you will identify the areas of your neighborhood that are inadequate and the reasons why.
Setting an Example
In most cases, people are inspired by the things that other people do, not the things they say. Of course, a great speech will lead plenty to do something or believe in someone. Still, if this person is walking the walking along with talking the talking, he will be leading by example.
Great communities are places where you inspire me to be the best I can be, and I do the same for you. But this doesn’t have to be something exceptional and grandiose. It can be an action as simple as smiling at the people you see on the road or helping an older person cross the street.
Over time, people will see you do this regularly and start doing it themselves. This will lead to a trickle-down effect of good citizenship where everybody is putting in the effort to benefit the community as a whole.
If you want your community to be a wonderful place, help local businesses and educate your kids properly. Also, build networks with the people surrounding you and think of ways to improve the area. Finally, make it your priority to set an example for other members.
Great communities are built day by day. So start now. There is no time to waste.
