Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Professor Davis
Comp. II
30 January 2019
Imagine being a person in need of money to buy food because your parents do not feed
you or a person in need of clothes because you can not afford them. Does the thought make you
realize the little actions you can do to make a positive difference in someone’s life? I am just like
any average person and I found a way to make the biggest difference in the life of now a good
friend of mine. This friend of mine was not fortunate enough for the clothes, food, and money
that most people enjoy. The ways I made a difference are by treating any individual as if he or
she were my neighbor, do for others as if I would want someone to do for me, and I forgot the
social status. To make a difference does not mean I have to do extravagant actions. It is
The first step in making a difference is me realizing I need to treat everyone as if they
were my neighbor. When treating someone as if they were my neighbor, it allowed for a better
relationship. Being neighborly basically means be friendly so because of that I get to know more
people on a personal level. As stated in the writing “On Being Neighborly,” “It’s within our
power to become good neighbors, to care for the people around us, and to be cared for by the
people around us” (Brotherton). I had the power to make a difference. I got to know the boy
better by being a neighbor to him. I introduced myself and let him know that if he needs
I started applying this to my way of life, I then realized all the good deeds that will eventually
come back my way from being a good person to others. I did for the boy as if I would want
someone to do for me. There were instances where it was a cold season and he did not have a
coat or any warm clothes so I went out of my way to find and provide him with clothes because I
would hope someone would do the same for me. There were times where a group of kids went to
the store and bought food and he was around, but did not have money to purchase food with the
others so I went out of my way to buy him some food. All these examples are nothing huge, but
it’s the small actions that make the biggest difference sometimes.
Lastly, I forgot the social status. The boy who I was helping and became friends with was
not popular at all. Most people do not even associate with the noticeably less fortunate kids.
Everyone is afraid of how people will look at them if they are seen around someone that does not
fit into their social group. I believe that is a characteristic in today’s society that needs to be
turned around. I became friends with him because of the difference I was making in his life. I
followed my heart and did what I believed was right. There is no better feeling than seeing the
joy and appreciation of someone who I am helping better their life when they know they can not
do it on their own.
In conclusion, I found ways in which I could better myself. I could make a positive
change in people’s lives. It does not take much it just takes a good heart and effort. I believe
everyone should try to apply these practices. Introduce yourself, get to know the person, go out
of your way, and forget the social status. I understood from the writing “On Being Neighborly,”
the positive actions you do cause a series of improvements that you may not notice (Brotherton).
Like I said, it does not have to be huge noticeable actions or deeds. The smallest actions can
Brotherton, Marcus. “Being a Good Neighbor.” The Art of Manliness, 23 May 2013,