Being a good villager

It is important to be part of a village, but in order to do that, you must be part of a village.  A village doesn't have to be a geographical place of residence.  It is anywhere you "belong".  It can be your house of worship, your book club, your service organization, or your neighborhood.  It is a group of people who watch out for each other and protect each other's interests.  It is your circle of close friends.

What do you need to do to be a good villager?  You need to notice.  You need to be aware of when your fellow book club member is unusually hostile when discussing this month's comedy.  You need to notice the balloons out in front of the neighbor's house.  You need to make a note when you haven't seen someone in church for the past two weeks.  You need to notice.

Once you've noticed, you need to approach.  After book club, you approach the unusually hostile member and ask them if everything is ok.  You stop by the neighbor's house and ask what special event they're celebrating with the balloons.  You call your fellow worshipper and let them know that you've missed them.  You need to approach.

Lastly, you need to care.  You listen to the book club member with true empathy and a desire to help where you can.  Maybe it's just by listening or maybe it's something more, but you need to want to help.   You need to want to be happy for your neighbor.  You need to be happy for your neighbor and be willing to celebrate with them.  You need to be truly concerned that the fellow congregant is missing worship.  You need to want to help solve the issue that's preventing them from joining you.  You need to care.

It's important to be part of a village, but in order to do that, you need to be a good villager.  Thoughts anyone?