It's been more than a year since I helped an elderly neighbor put out his recycling. Not that he asked me, and Not that he didn't vigorously refuse any help. We ended up talking for 2 hours well after dark there in the street. I've always wanted to have a bachelor's dinner at my house where I invite all the neighbors over for some food and coffee and drinks.
this article has inspired me. I'll try it this weekend.
After a recent trip to Charleston, I experienced first-hand some excellent hospitality w/ gracious hosts. I realized that it's something that's been largely missing from my life and I want to be more intentional about encouraging community growth and real relationships through hospitality.
I'm already diving in and am going to have several people over for dinner on Thursday night. It's mostly bachelors, but this is a low-key way for a bachelor like myself to start out. All that's needed is a large pot of spaghetti and some games and we'll see how things go!
The biggest realization I've had regarding community and hospitality is that you can't wait for somebody else to start it because if you do most of the time you'll end up lonely and waiting when you could be having a great time instead if you start it up yourself.
Good luck with the dinner! The most successful businessman I know, when he moved into his well-to-do suburban neighborhood immediately organized a block party. He mailed out over 250 invites. 100 neighbors showed up. That was the first year. The second year, even more. Take the lead. Neighbors started scheduling vacations around the annual block party. It's not a coincidence that he is probably also one of the most networked connectors I know (real network, not Facebook). The type of people who lived in that million-dollar+ house neighborhood... He's moved many times and always done that. Makes an impact in the sleepy suburban castle-doms where he lives. It's usually the first block party/large-scale gathering ever in those cul-de-sacs.
this article has inspired me. I'll try it this weekend.
Wish me luck.