The boomerang effect of being a good neighbor

“Whatever blesses one blesses all…” Mary Baker Eddy shared this verity a century ago. It’s true. The merits of neighborliness, brotherhood and sisterhood are countless and favorably impact entire communities as well as nations. And interestingly enough, being a good neighbor affects you!

Helping neighbors has a boomerang effect that comes back to bless you too. It might seem counterintuitive, but being the giver puts you on the receiving end of good things.

Never before has loving “thy neighbor as thyself” been so intensely scrutinized. Studies linking neighborliness with good health have intensified. Who would have guessed there are tangible health perks to living next door to those who live by the Golden Rule?

The latest research out of the University of Michigan points to a positive connection between good neighbors and good heart health. The findings published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health measured something called neighborhood social cohesion. It turns out the better we get along with our neighbors, the less risk for heart attack.

Other major studies have shown a connection between distrust of neighbors and below average self-rated health. Our thoughts and attitudes about others are really important to the quality of our lives.

Of course the benefits of neighborliness don’t stop at the address next to yours, but encompass all peoples. In the Good Samaritan story, Jesus points out that everyone is our neighbor. Whomever we encounter in our day-to-day lives is worthy of our thoughtfulness and attention. We are members of the same family.

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father;” writes Eddy, “and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.”

I have many good neighbor stories and the blessings that have resulted. There are the more normal occurrences of corralling lost dogs and the not-so-normal incident of having to find lost parents. I have cleaned out flooded basements more than once and neighbors have helped me with storm damage and snow removal. And I have never found anything so rewarding as befriending those “older” neighbors who need a listening ear and helping hand.

You have your own tales, too. And just like a returning boomerang first requires a good throw, remembering to go out of your way to help others, regularly brings benefits your way, healthy ones. Whatever blesses one does bless all…all of you.

Steven Salt is a writer and blogger about health, spirituality and thought. He is a Christian Science practitioner, curious about everything. You can follow him on Twitter@SaltSeasoned.