Should we bake a cake for our new neighbors in Plano?

My guess is that some or even many will disagree with this idea.

But I came from the generation of bringing homemade treats to school that were very welcomed! As well as being raised by parents who always baked cakes for new neighbors, brought meals to sick friends and never hesitated in lending a helping hand.

Baking a cake for a new neighbor is a simple yet powerful act of kindness…

that can help build a sense of community and foster positive relationships. When someone moves into a new neighborhood, they may feel isolated or disconnected from their new surroundings. By bringing over a homemade cake, my husband and I feel we can extend a warm welcome and help create a friendly and inviting atmosphere.

Additionally, baking a cake requires time, effort, and care, which can convey a message of goodwill and generosity. This gesture can also help establish a foundation of trust and mutual support, which can be especially important in times of need or emergency. Overall, baking a cake for a new neighbor is a small but meaningful way to spread kindness and build a stronger, more connected community. I think this skill is going to be absolutely essential in the very near future.

But times have changed and some might see home baking or home cooking as “germ-y”. I dunno =)

The current Plano neighborhood we live in is a bit of a challenging one. People keep to themselves. Find any chance they can to yell about Autumn leaves on Nextdoor. Ring doorbells are going up left and right along with signs that you are being watched. And overall, there is not a very “Texan” attitude here. My neighbors are great at keeping my nervous system dysregulated. And those that jumped 6 feet off the sidewalk thinking that they were saving the world left me in a tizzy.  LOL. And ever since that idea was introduced, is the moment that eye contact stopped in the suburbs.

Anyone else notice that?

I’m determined to not let that get in my way of finding fellow kindred spirits who embrace traditional living and who are game for building bridges.

 

Do we think that giving food to a neighbor is a risk?

In a recent Bards FM podcast, the host, Scott discussed the idea that all of life is a risk. He began by stating that many people view life as something that can be controlled and planned, but in reality, there are countless factors that can throw our plans off course. From unexpected health issues to global events that disrupt entire industries, life is full of uncertainty and risk.

He went on to explain that accepting this reality can actually be liberating. When we acknowledge that life is inherently risky, we can let go of our need for control and embrace the present moment. We can take calculated risks and pursue our goals, even if there is no guarantee of success.

I think we are at the point that people find eating others home cooking to be considered a risk. =( I find that to be saddening. Maybe thats not something you can resonate with or maybe it’s triggering to you.

I will you this, the more life you let in, the messier it gets.  Putting yourself out there into our world and into this metroplex means that we take the risk of experiencing harsh words, rejection (maybe rejection of a cake if your recipient is gluten free), unexpected chaos and heartbreak.

Another point, is that taking risks is often necessary for personal growth and development. Whether it’s starting a new business, pursuing a new hobby, or making a major life change, taking risks can push us outside of our comfort zones and help us discover new strengths and abilities.

Keep in mind that not all risks are created equal. It’s important to carefully evaluate the potential consequences of any action before taking it. There is an importance of being mindful, present, and intentional when making decisions that involve risk (suggested reading here). An example of this, is one of our neighbors that just cannot stand positive or solution-minded people. Its as if they get even more angered by this way of thinking. Now that we are in our “let them era” or “healing era” we choose to place our energy elsewhere as there is no bridge to be made . . . at this time.

While it may not be possible to return to the traditional values of the 1900’s, everyone is different and anything is possible if you are willing to cultivate positive relationships and create a sense of belonging and connectedness.

I want to encourage you to start building bridges in your own neighborhood.

This world has changed.

And no matter where you sit on various issues, I don’t think anyone can deny things have changed drastically since 2019 (and for some, vision became 2020 as the veil lifted). Things were crystal clear for me in March of 2020 and I waited for many to see as well. And its finally happening! One by one, people are seeing things differently.

The only way we can build up again is we build up our local communities, our neighborhoods.

This is the challenge.

Not voting for a master locally or federally thinking it will change everything. Not building up false/corrupt community/national organizations but the authentic breaking of bread and sharing bread with those within steps of our home.

This would mean, looking past the signs they put in their yard. Not looking at what car they drive, what church they attend. Or deciding if what they do for a living is worthy. But somehow finding a place where we connect.

And this is why I wholeheartedly believe in this connection point:

I recommend cake.

Smothered in tons of icing.