Ross (the Boss) of NDG's Blog

  What if we stopped guessing how to help our neighbours—and simply asked them? There's a question that has the power to change someone's day. Sometimes, it might even change their life. It's only four words. “What do you need?” Not, “Here's what I think you should do.” Not, “Let me tell you what's best for you.” And not, “I know exactly how to solve your problem.” Simply: “What do you need?” Today, I'd like to suggest that these four words could become one of the most important foundations of A NuVo World. Because if we're serious about transforming NDG into an extraordinary community, perhaps we should begin by listening more carefully to the people who live here. Everyone's Wonderful Life Looks a Little Different Imagine two neighbours living in the same apartment building. One is a retired gentleman who lives alone. The other is a young mother raising two children. Both may be experiencing difficulties. Both may appreciate some assistance. But their ...

  What if every table in NDG had room for one more? There's something wonderfully inviting about an empty chair. Not a chair that's been forgotten. Not a chair waiting to be put away. But a chair deliberately left open. A chair that quietly says: "There's room for you here." Today, I'd like to share a simple idea that I believe could help transform NDG into one of the most welcoming communities imaginable. Let's make room for one more. Not necessarily in our homes. Not necessarily at every meal. But in our lives. In our conversations. In our activities. And in the little circles of friendship we create throughout our neighbourhood. Because sometimes the difference between feeling lonely and feeling connected is nothing more than an invitation. The Invisible Walls Around Our Little Circles Most of us have our routines. We visit the same shops. Sit with the same friends. Attend the same activities. Talk with the same neighbours. There's nothing wrong wit...

  What if every person in NDG made one tiny improvement to our neighbourhood every day? There's a beautiful philosophy I've always admired. It's wonderfully simple. Leave things a little better than you found them. A room. A garden. A sidewalk. A relationship. A conversation. A community. Wherever you go, whatever you do, try to leave something just a little better than it was before you arrived. Today, on Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to suggest that we make this one of the guiding principles of A NuVo World. Because I believe something extraordinary could happen if thousands of people throughout NDG began living by those eight little words. Leave it better than you found it. Imagine What We Could Accomplish Every day, tens of thousands of people move through our neighbourhood. We walk along sidewalks. We visit parks. We enter shops. We use public transportation. We pass through apartment-building lobbies. We sit on benches. We enjoy the beautiful trees and green spaces t...

  What if we made NDG a place where nobody's special moments went unnoticed? Today, I'd like to share a simple idea that could bring an extraordinary amount of happiness into our neighbourhood. It doesn't require a new building. It doesn't require a large budget. And it certainly doesn't require an organization. It simply requires us to become a little more interested in the wonderful things happening in one another's lives. Let's become a neighbourhood that celebrates together. Life Is Filled With Little Victories When we think about celebrations, we usually imagine birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and holidays. And those are wonderful occasions. But what about the hundreds of smaller victories happening throughout NDG every single day? A child learns to ride a bicycle. A teenager passes a difficult examination. Someone gets their first job. A newcomer receives their first Canadian paycheque. A neighbour completes a course. A senior walks around the block...

  What if everything we needed to make NDG extraordinary was already here—waiting to be shared? Every morning, thousands of people wake up throughout NDG carrying something wonderful within them. A talent. A skill. A lifetime of experience. Something they've learned. Something they love doing. Something they could teach someone else. Some are musicians. Some are gardeners. Some are wonderful cooks. Some can repair almost anything. Some speak three or four languages. Some have spent decades teaching children. Some know how to build websites. Some are gifted artists. Some understand computers. Some have extraordinary knowledge of health, fitness, sports or nutrition. And some have simply lived long enough to understand things that younger generations haven't yet discovered. Today, I'd like to suggest a beautiful idea for transforming NDG. What if we began sharing the talents we already have? We Are Surrounded by Extraordinary People Think about your own apartment building. Or...

  What if we made NDG the most appreciative neighbourhood in Montreal? Every morning, thousands of people throughout NDG get up and go to work. Some prepare our food. Some clean our streets. Some drive our buses. Some teach our children. Some care for the sick. Some stock our grocery shelves. Some deliver our packages. Some maintain our buildings. Some open their little shops long before most of us are awake. And many of them do their jobs so quietly and consistently that we barely notice. Today, I'd like to suggest a beautiful little idea for transforming NDG. Let's become a neighbourhood that notices—and says thank you. The People Who Make Our Days Possible Think about how many people contribute to an ordinary day in your life. The person who prepared the coffee you enjoyed this morning. The driver who brought your groceries to the store. The employee who swept the entrance to your building. The crossing guard who helped a child safely across the street. The person who collec...