Good fences make good neighbours
Once you see the boundaries of your environment, they are no longer the boundaries of your environment. ― Marshall McLuhan
They say good fences make good neighbours - I’d long wondered about that saying until I had several fences myself and then I better understood.
Our neighbours have been here 3 generations - they are good neighbours. We know them, they know us. We know what animals they have, what they are focused on and they know our animals and our focus. We aren’t the kind of neighbours that have tea every week - but we could easily invite each other if we wanted. We just have busy lives in the focus of our farm work. Most importantly, we have shared values - we both believe in stewardship of land and nature. They use no chemical (even the ‘organic’ kind) and neither do we. We’ve created a little community of health, safety and wellness and while neither of us may have said so out loud - we both appreciate it greatly.
What are the explicit rules by which you’ve agreed you’ll be good neighbours. How do you find out what the ‘rules’ are - the fence is an invitation to a conversation to find out. What’s important to them, what’s important to you?
How will you define your healthy boundaries?
Beautiful questions Michal. I'm so grateful we have neighbors who also care for the land. Thank you.