4 Tips To Becoming A Jedi Neighbor

The secret to becoming a “Jedi Neighbor” is simple: Follow these tips and save your building from falling into the hands of the dark side.  

Imagining that your building or your neighborhood sits in a galaxy far, far away is not actually that hard to imagine. Whether or not you live in an urban center, or in the rural countryside, everyone has their share of Ewoks, Sith Lords, and countless Storm Troopers to deal with from time to time.

However, through all of this chaos, there is always someone who most of us know by name, that rises above and who may be described by many as a “Jedi Neighbor”.

This person typically doesn’t carry a lightsaber (more than likely a basket of freshly baked muffins) but who we think embodies the following characteristics of a “Jedi Neighbor”:

1. They embrace the “light side”:

The are compassionate and selfless and never turn their backs on their fellow neighbors in times of crisis. I might be breaking Star Wars lore by saying this, but good neighbors believe that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.” A great neighbors door is always open.

2. They have great influence: 

They may not wear a hooded robe, but they do possess Jedi mind powers. “These are not the droids you are looking for” may be commonly used when angry mobs are looking for the kids who just toilet-papered a neighbors tree. But lets be honest, very few of us can resist a great neighbor who says “Hello, we are getting a bunch of neighbors together for music, drinks, and laughs by the lake. Bring your kids!”. I know you would be all like “heck yeah!”.

3. They need support:

Okay, I know there are a few Mace Windu types out there who can stand alone against insurmountable odds. However, most of them are like Luke Skywalker, who could use the help of a beautiful companion, a scoundrel, a couple of droids who bicker but get the job done and of course, a Wookie who doesn’t speak but who sure knows how to fix stuff!

4. They are very good at what they do:

Need that spaceship out of the bog? Done. Need those pesky wombats cleared out? No problem. Incoming laser fire? Right back ‘atcha! Hopefully none of us have those exact issues but regardless of the size of the challenge, great neighbors seem to just get it done and look darn good doing it.

Now you are probably asking yourself, “How do I know if we already have a Jedi Neighbor”? Chances are you have one already. If you haven’t seen them that probably doesn’t mean that they have grown a beard and live in recluse going by the name of “old Ben”, it probably does mean that they are off somewhere doing something noble.

But have no fear! For Yoda once said “you will find what you bring in,” and so the best way to find a Jedi Neighbor is to be one yourself! Follow the steps that I listed and see what happens but “there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path” (darn I did it again!) so good luck young Padawan and may the neighbor force be with you.