Whether or not we like them … we all usually have to live in one, right? Unfortunately money dictates as to what community we find our selves in and the issues affecting the people.
I was thinking about my own community and how there isn’t really much of a feeling within ours. This is our first flat that allowed us to get on to the property ladder and at times, I wish we had just continued renting but then other times, I am thankful for the friendships that I have gained through being here.
We had problems when we first moved in with the neighbors and unfortunately both were not brought up to respect other people and played music quite loudly at different times during the day , or night and whenever they felt it was necessary to do so. As both my husband and I worked this created issues especially when we were trying to sleep or when I was trying to study. When taking the kind approach and speaking to them, it didn’t make any difference and I had to resort to police intervention, mediation and contacting the local MP. I was even threatened at one point and we often stayed at hotels at the weekend as we knew that we wouldn’t get peace. it was a hellish time adn I was ready to walk away for something that we had worked so hard for. but we didn’t.
When you are the only home owner within 4 houses, it was almost as though we were penalized for actually making an effort in life and trying to get ahead. but then I started to try to see things from their points of view and that ok, they didn’t have the same upbringing as I did and it may not have occurred to them what they were doing because they didn’t know any better.
It is easy for me to get angry, upset and want revenge but isn’t it better to try to help those who haven’t been lucky enough to have the best start in life and have always been either called benefit scroungers, ned’s or anything else? Is there not a reason as to why we act the way that we do? Surely people are not born so angry and treating others with the respect that you expect and trying to talk things through would be better than adding to the already fragile situation? People don’t always know what things have happened in other’s lives but maybe if we try to understand and help them with change, that there would be better ways in dealing with sitautions that we find ourselves in?
I’m not saying that just because someone has had a bad start in life , that we should excuse their behavior, not at all in any way shape or form as people MUST take responsibility for themselves and stop blaming but having options and genuine people on hand to help might be one of the better solutions? Call me crazy and maybe I am but I would love for community spirit to come back and for people to know and appreciate their neighbors again… have people come together? Where did community spirit go and why don’t we know the person next to us? I’m not saying we have to socialise or anything like that, but to know that you can say hi or have that conversation in the summer… maybe its all just wishful thinking….
