Chapter April 27

"But life, like technology, has a way of expanding our horizons. As I grew older, the lines between “us” and “them” began to blur." - 50 Short Essays on Being Christian

The world felt smaller then, bordered by the familiar faces of our street, the echo of shared laughter in our cul-de-sac. We knew the names of every dog, the quirks of every neighbor. Our sense of belonging was woven tight, a comforting tapestry of shared experiences and unspoken understanding. But life, like technology, has a way of expanding our horizons. As I grew older, the lines between “us” and “them” began to blur. A chance encounter with a family newly arrived from Vietnam, their faces etched with both hope and uncertainty, sparked a curiosity that stretched beyond the boundaries of my childhood world. Their stories, their traditions, their struggles became a window into a reality far removed from my own, yet strangely connected. It was a gentle nudge, a subtle invitation to redefine what it meant to be a neighbor.

The word itself conjures images of proximity, of shared fences and borrowed cups of sugar. But what if we dared to stretch the concept, to imagine "neighbor" not just as someone who lives next door, but as anyone whose life intersects with ours, regardless of distance or difference? Amelia Earhart, soaring across oceans and defying expectations, embodied this spirit. She saw the world not as a collection of isolated nations, but as a vast neighborhood waiting to be explored, understood, and connected. Her bravery reminds us that the boundaries we draw are often arbitrary, that the labels we apply can limit our capacity for empathy and understanding.

Perhaps the internet, with its vast reach and boundless potential, offers a modern parallel. We can connect with individuals on the other side of the globe, learning about their lives, their cultures, their hopes and dreams. A student in rural India can collaborate with a researcher in London on a scientific project. An artist in Argentina can share their work with an admirer in Japan. These connections, once unimaginable, can foster a sense of shared humanity, reminding us that we are all part of a larger, interconnected community. Yet, this same technology can also create echo chambers, reinforcing existing biases and isolating us within digital bubbles. We can curate our online experiences to reflect only the viewpoints we already hold, shielding ourselves from the discomfort of encountering perspectives that challenge our own. The question then becomes: will we use these tools to build bridges or to reinforce walls?

Expanding our definition of neighbor requires a conscious choice, a willingness to step outside the comfortable confines of the familiar. It means acknowledging that our experiences are not universal, that our perspectives are shaped by the unique circumstances of our lives. It means recognizing that the cashier at the grocery store, the refugee seeking asylum, the activist fighting for climate justice in a distant country – they are all our neighbors, in the broadest sense of the word. Their struggles, their joys, their hopes are interwoven with our own, even if we don't see the threads immediately.

Empathy becomes the compass that guides us on this journey of expansion. It's the ability to step into another person's shoes, to understand their experiences through their eyes, to feel their pain as if it were our own. It's not about agreeing with every viewpoint or condoning every action, but about recognizing the shared humanity that binds us together. I remember a story about a young doctor, Madison, who volunteered at a clinic in a remote village in Nepal. Faced with limited resources and overwhelming need, she could have easily become discouraged. Instead, she chose to see her patients not as statistics or cases, but as individuals with unique stories and complex lives. She learned their language, listened to their concerns, and celebrated their small victories. In doing so, she not only provided medical care, but also built bridges of trust and understanding that transcended cultural and linguistic barriers.

This expansion of our circle of concern is not without its challenges. We may encounter discomfort, fear, or even prejudice when confronted with difference. We may struggle to understand perspectives that seem foreign or threatening. But it's in these moments of discomfort that we have the greatest opportunity for growth. By choosing to engage with those who are different from us, to listen to their stories, to learn from their experiences, we can begin to unravel the threads of prejudice and fear that bind us to narrow definitions of community. We can discover that our shared humanity is far greater than our differences.

So, how can we begin to expand our definition of neighbor today? Perhaps it starts with a simple act of kindness towards a stranger. A smile, a helping hand, a genuine inquiry about their day. Or maybe it involves seeking out opportunities to learn about different cultures – through books, films, or conversations with people from diverse backgrounds. We can support organizations that work to address global issues like poverty, inequality, or climate change, recognizing that these challenges impact our global neighborhood. We can educate ourselves about the history and experiences of marginalized communities, both within our own countries and around the world. These seemingly small actions, when multiplied across individuals and communities, can create a ripple effect of compassion and understanding that has the power to transform the world.

It's a journey without a clear destination, a continuous process of learning, unlearning, and relearning. But it's a journey worth taking, for it leads us towards a more interconnected and just world, a world where the concept of "neighbor" encompasses all of humanity. It's a world where our differences are celebrated as strengths, where our shared humanity is recognized as the foundation for building a more peaceful and sustainable future. And as we expand our circles of compassion, we may discover that the boundaries we once perceived begin to fade, replaced by a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the confines of our immediate surroundings. We may find that the world, once seemingly vast and distant, becomes a little smaller, a little warmer, a little more like home.

"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Galatians 5:14