If you were to visit the neighborhood I grew up in, as you were entering or exiting, you would drive past a sign. It’s one of those changeable letter signs like you used to see under the McDonald's logo. “Over 99 billion served.” This sign has sat on the boundary of my neighborhood for as long as I can remember.
As I was visiting my parents last week, I drove by this sign and noticed that it was advertising the annual Harvest Party. This would not have caught my attention, except for the fact that the Harvest Party was on October 20th, and I was driving past it near Thanksgiving.
These outdated, changeable letter signs are in almost every town, even in New York City. The signs may not have changeable letters there, but movie advertisements in Times Square stay up long after the film has left theaters.
You know what I would like? I’d like to live in a town that instead of promoting outdated events or movies, uses their signs to celebrate and encourage random members of the community.
“Sally turns 8 this week! If you see her, wish her a Happy Birthday!”
“Karen started her own business. Keep up the good work!”
“Tim’s Christmas lights are the best in the neighborhood. Drive by and check them out!”
Of course, very few neighborhoods and towns will do this because well, it’s just not normal. Or it would make people uncomfortable. Or because it’s unfair if you can’t celebrate everyone on the sign. So instead of encouraging a few with the chance of creating a more positive uplifting neighborhood culture, we’d rather just promote outdated events.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be thought of as a little strange, so long as it meant I might actually make a difference.
As I was visiting my parents last week, I drove by this sign and noticed that it was advertising the annual Harvest Party. This would not have caught my attention, except for the fact that the Harvest Party was on October 20th, and I was driving past it near Thanksgiving.
These outdated, changeable letter signs are in almost every town, even in New York City. The signs may not have changeable letters there, but movie advertisements in Times Square stay up long after the film has left theaters.
You know what I would like? I’d like to live in a town that instead of promoting outdated events or movies, uses their signs to celebrate and encourage random members of the community.
“Sally turns 8 this week! If you see her, wish her a Happy Birthday!”
“Karen started her own business. Keep up the good work!”
“Tim’s Christmas lights are the best in the neighborhood. Drive by and check them out!”
Of course, very few neighborhoods and towns will do this because well, it’s just not normal. Or it would make people uncomfortable. Or because it’s unfair if you can’t celebrate everyone on the sign. So instead of encouraging a few with the chance of creating a more positive uplifting neighborhood culture, we’d rather just promote outdated events.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be thought of as a little strange, so long as it meant I might actually make a difference.
