This column usually features a recipe, but this month’s recipe is all about how to build a community – which I found on the back of a bathroom door (always a place to find interesting ideas) and I am inspired this month to try at least a few.  How about you join me?

How to Build Community

Turn off your TV

Leave your house

Know your neighbor

Look up when you are walking

Greet people

Sit on your stoop

Plan flowers

Use your library

Play together

Buy from local merchants

Share what you have

Help a lost dog

Take children to the park

Garden together

Support neighborhood schools

Fix it even if you didn’t break it

Have pot lucks

Honor elders

Pick up litter

Read stories aloud

Dance in the street

Talk to the mail carrier

Listen to the birds

Put up a swing

Help carry something heavy

Barter for your goods

Start a tradition

Ask a question

Hire young people for odd jobs

Organize a block party

Bake extra and share

Ask for help when you need it

Open your shades

Sing together

Share your skills

Take back the night

Turn up the music

Turn down the music

Listen before you react to anger

Mediate a conflict

Seek to understand

Learn from new and uncomfortable angles

Know that no one is silent, though many are not heard.  Work to change this.

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