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Neighborly Love, Part II

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Point to Ponder:
Do you live at a pace that makes you available to those around you?

iGnite Neissa

Neissa Brown Springmann

Last Friday morning we, iGnite, launched our first of four, Friends & Fitness at the Turquoise Table neighborhood workouts. In case you are unaware of what the Turquoise Table is, it was originated by Austinite Kristin Schell, as a meeting place for neighbors, friends, and even strangers, to hang out and do life together in the front yard. The table has spurred a front yard revival in neighborhoods all across the country and has become a welcome place to gather and love.

As hoped, our Friday morning workout around the table was nothing short of beautiful. Set in the front yard of iGnite member, Melissa Morrow, and centered around her turquoise table enhanced with spring flowers, snacks and iGnite’s favorite and healthy Cranberry Water beverage, the weather was flawless and the morning was filled with invigorating exercise, conversation and laughter. As described by Melissa Morrow, it was a “Friday morning party.”

With fellowship being our purpose we were delighted in the outcome, however a spontaneous perk was birthed from simply being in the front yard and around the turquoise table. Following the workout, as everyone gathered around the table to engage in conversation and snacking, a curious neighbor walking his dog stopped to inquire about the front yard gathering. Excitingly, this was a neighbor Melissa had never met and for a few minutes he stayed, talked and nibbled on the snacks. He even encouraged Melissa to let him know next time she had another front yard turquoise gathering because he would attend. How cool is that?!

In conjunction with the turquoise table movement, last spring I began reading The Art of Neighboring. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish it so I have started reading it again, however while reading last year what impacted me the most were the words of the former mayor of Denver, who said “The majority of the issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors.” WOW!

Currently, as I continue to read the book and attempt to finish it, the following comments and questions have caused me to pause and evaluate how neighborly I am as well as the changes I need to make in order to be good neighbor to my physical neighbors: “Our purpose in life is to love God and love others. Living a hurried, frantic lifestyle is the opposite of what God wants for our lives. Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time and time is the one thing hurried people don’t have. Ask yourself this question: Do I live at a pace that allows me to be available to those around me? When we create the right kind of margins we can live with a level of peace that allows us to be interruptible, which gives us time to know our neighbors.”

Unfortunately, our home in San Diego does not have a front yard, so my sweet turquoise picnic table that was incredibly useful in helping us get to know more of our neighbors in Austin is resting in the garage. I am hopeful that one day I will be able to bring it out again, however it’s safe to say that despite not having a front yard or turquoise table, that should not hinder my efforts in getting to know my neighbors. Our neighborhood is designed in a way that we live very close to one another, with ample sidewalks and people out and about. It would be a breeze for me to sit on my front porch and meet my neighbors — I just have to make it a priority, make myself available, be approachable and be engaging. For me, this means being intentional with scheduling the time outside, on my front porch and not having my head buried in my iPhone or computer (the book labels these as “time stealers”).

Despite our busy schedules and all of the many distractions that prevent us from getting to know our neighbors, knowing and loving our neighbors is a vital part of a functional, stable, healthy, compassionate and loving community and world. There are many wonderful community and global efforts that help and save people in need, but equally as important are our physical neighbors. As a result, this week I encourage you to spend time in your front yard with the goal that you get to know one of your neighbors. Or, if there is a new neighbor on your street, somebody you haven’t met yet, or you don’t live close to anyone, make an effort to introduce yourself. Drop off a note or knock on their door to say hello. Ultimately, we don’t have to become best friends with our neighbors, but the first step in becoming a community of great neighbors is getting to know who our neighbors are.

Action Item:

Spend time in your front yard with the goal that you get to know one of your neighbors. Or, if there is a new neighbor on your street, somebody you haven’t met yet, or you don’t live close to anyone, make an effort to introduce yourself. Drop off a note or knock on their door to say hello.

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Real Women, Real Stories | Kristin’s Story: Creating Community in the Front Yard

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Roots: I was born and raised in Dallas, but as they say got to Austin as quick as I could. I moved here in the 80s to go to The University of Texas and aside from a couple of years in Washington, DC and Paris, France ATX has been home.
IMG_1688Family life: Tony and I met at a UT football game but post-college. We got married New Years Eve 1997 and have four kiddos – Will (15), Anna (14), Ellie (13) and Sarah (8).

My favorite quote: I have so many favorite quotes, mostly because I love to read, but my current favorite is “You can’t be what you can’t see,” by a woman I admire greatly named Jo Saxton. The context of Jo’s quote is discipleship and how we need good role models to pave the way. I think of the women who have taught me so much, not by anything they’ve written or even said, but simply by how they live their lives.

Something people may not know about me: I’ve lived in some interesting places — like Siberia where I learned to ice fish! And, a tiny village in France picking olives. I love to experience foreign cultures. For me it’s all about the people and how truly one we really are.

My Story: Creating Community in the Front Yard

JaneKovak, Austin

“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t met.” – William Butler Yeats

A couple years ago, I had a big dream – this vision – of living in a community where neighbors knew and loved each other well. I knew a handful of our neighbors, but for the most part our interaction was limited to friendly waves from the car, brief chats at the grocery store, and our annual Memorial Day block party. The block party is a highlight of the year, but twelve months is a long stretch of time between neighborhood get-togethers.

I felt a tug to open our doors wide and invite neighbors, friends, and even strangers into our lives on a more regular basis. But, as a busy mother with four children and an introverted husband, the how-to was a big question mark.

Then, I read these words by Francis Schaeffer in the book A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester:

“Don’t start with a big program. Start personally and start in your home. I dare you. I dare you in the name of Jesus Christ. Begin by opening your home for community. . . All you have to do is open your home and begin.”

At first I hesitated. But, I longed for more than an annual block party. I wanted real and meaningful relationships with my neighbors. I wanted to know their stories, hear their sorrows and troubles, and celebrate their joys.

So, I took the dare!

The Turquoise Table

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In October 2013, prompted by a last-minute party I was hosting, I ordered an unfinished picnic table from Lowe’s. I didn’t think much of the table when I ordered it online. It was just an ordinary picnic table.

Until I saw it. And, I knew.

The Turquoise Table Invite

The turquoise table is great for planned or spontaneous meals & gatherings

The simple wooden picnic table was destined for our front yard. After the party, I painted the table bright turquoise (Sherwin-Williams Nifty Turquoise, if you’re wondering) and placed it under a magnolia tree, close to the edge of our lively street.

That’s when life changed. The very day I put the table out front, someone who needed to get out of the house – a neighbor I’d never met – walked past and stopped to talk. We sat at the table and started a friendship. Next, curious people from across the street stopped by and stayed for a cup of coffee. By week three, both spontaneous and planned gatherings were happening regularly at The Turquoise Table.

Now a familiar sight, The Turquoise Table has become a meeting place – like the old village well – for neighbors, friends, and even strangers to hang out and do life together. The table spurred a front yard revival in our neighborhood.

JulieWilliford

The turquoise table is a place to gather & love – friends hosting a Shoe Cutting Party to benefit children in Uganda

When neighbors from a few blocks over learned about The Turquoise Table, they wanted one, too. I remember thinking, “This is crazy! Am I really supposed to encourage people to put turquoise tables in their front yards?”

Now, two years later, The Turquoise Table has turned into a movement of Front Yard People – people just like you and me who want to create community right where they live. There are now countless turquoise tables in front yards across America, even as far away as Uganda.

 

Blog1__0000_1Want A Turquoise Table? We’ve partnered with ReWork Project  — a non-profit  helping those struggling with homelessness find a path to permanent housing through the dignity of work. These special turquoise tables are hand-made, painted, and delivered! To learn more and order a turquoise table, click here.

front-yard-people

What about you? Will you join the Front Yard People movement, too? For more information, visit my blog.

 

 

 

iGnite’s Real Women, Real Stories is a series highlighting the inspiring lives and experiences of women in our community. We hope their stories motivate and inspire you to live your life to the fullest.

Know someone who would be a great candidate for a Real Women, Real Stories feature? Email nominations to hello@igniteyourlifenow.com

 

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