A Dubious Sincerity

The people in the building where I live are rather peculiar?

Every Christmas they put a gift on everyone's door with a little card wishing peace and goodwill.

It's cute hearing the shuffling of feet in the hallway and the assorted noises as they drop the gifts off at the doors.

They are like little elves working overtime with a mission to bring Christmas cheer. The gifts range anywhere from a mouthwatering Harry and David gourmet fruit basket and scrumptious Sees Candies, to decorative plaques and wine.

When I first came here, I thought they were doing it because I was new. I later found out that it was a tradition unbeknownst to me, where I would feel obliged to participate.

That's why it doesn't make sense? They go through all of this for one day of the year, but the rest of the year, they are not very neighborly.

When they see you in the hall, they will walk right past without speaking, even if you speak to them. When two people pull into the garage at the same time, they will try to park their cars quickly just so they won't have to speak to each other.

I told you they were peculiar? Why would you give a gift to anyone you don't speak to? You usually give gifts to people you like, not the opposite.

It felt like the same thing a parent does to substitute love by buying their child a gift. The sad thing is that they have forced me to participate in a nature that is not like me?

These neighbors don't talk the talk or walk the walk of sincerity; my very essence. It is understandable that we all have bad days, but they seem to have bad days everyday.

It's not like everyone has had a falling out with everyone else, but how would I know if no one speaks?

Is it possible that we are so entwined in our lives that we don't see our own behavior? How many veils do we each have to shed before getting to know someone?

The shortest distance between two lines is a neighbor. It's a line difficult to walk in this building without feeling like you are trespassing.

Is getting to know a neighbor a bad thing? What happened to inviting someone over for coffee and having a real conversation?

You might find that you have a lot in common? You may find that you have nothing in common, but if no one is talking, you'll never know?

When the word, "Hello," doesn't break down barriers, then it is time to move on. We have to know when to move from a situation that is not in our best spiritual interest.

It may be that time for me? Around here, a simple "Hello," won't even get you in the door.