Summary of **Loving My Actual Neighbor: 7 Practices to Treasure the People Right in Front of You**, by **Alexandra Kuykendall**

Unlock the secrets of neighborly love with Alexandra Kuykendall's 'Loving My Actual Neighbor.' Transform simple interactions into meaningful connections!

Welcome, fellow humans! Grab your metaphorical (or literal) magnifying glass because we are diving into "Loving My Actual Neighbor"! In this delightful, warmth-filled manual, Alexandra Kuykendall is about to convince us that maybe-just maybe-our neighbors deserve more than just a perfunctory wave and a half-hearted smile. Who would have thought?

Kuykendall gives us seven practices that will transform us from the average neighbor (you know, the one who pretends not to see people in the hallway) into the neighborhood superhero, ready to sprinkle love and kindness like it's confetti on a parade float. Let's break down these golden nuggets of neighborly wisdom!

1. No More Ignoring: Can you believe it? Kuykendall kicks things off by saying we should actually acknowledge our neighbors. I mean, it's a radical idea! Instead of avoiding eye contact like they might be selling vacuum cleaners, it's time to say hello.

2. Aim for Authenticity: You need to be real, like the good, old-fashioned home-baked cookies kind of real, not the store-bought impostor. Instead of pretending you have it all together, just embrace the glorious mess that is life and be candid about your struggles. Spoiler alert: everyone else is just as lost!

3. Be Present: This isn't just about physically being there. It's about being mentally present too. You know-the mystical ability to actually listen instead of thinking about what you're having for dinner when your neighbor is sharing their life story.

4. Get Your Hands Dirty: Kuykendall encourages us to help out the neighbors-community gardening, baking cookies when they're sick, or even just lending a tool. Spoiling them with kindness like a grandma at Christmas is the order of the day!

5. Practice Hospitality: Inviting people over sounds terrifying, but Kuykendall reminds us-people eat food! And who doesn't like a good cheese platter? Think of it as a glorious excuse to get the fine china out while hoping nobody notices your dust bunnies.

6. Find Common Ground: This is about bonding over things you both enjoy-like that mutual hatred for the neighborhood stray cat who thinks it owns the block. Shared interests can lead to great conversations, or at least a good laugh.

7. Embrace Diversity: Here's a wild one-Kuykendall points out that our neighbors might look different, act different, or maybe even believe different things than we do. But hey, that's the spice of life! Just picture a melting pot instead of a boiling pot; it's all about finding a groove together and celebrating the uniqueness.

Throughout "Loving My Actual Neighbor," Kuykendall proves that loving our neighbors doesn't just mean cramming it into your Sunday sermon; it's an everyday practice that takes a smidge of effort and a dash of vulnerability. By the end of this friendly little guide, you might just find yourself actually liking your neighbors instead of just tolerating their existence.

So, if you're up for some neighborly bonding (or at least want to avoid awkward silences at the mailbox), snag a copy of Kuykendall's guide, and let the neighborly love fest begin. After all, why not turn your actual neighbors into your actual friends? Go ahead, take the plunge!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.