Regardless of your religious beliefs or affiliation, December brings a festive spirit, along with the end of one calendar year and beginning of another. Several years ago I wrote a blog post suggesting several possible "New Years Resolutions for Community Associations."

As we revel in the holiday spirit of 2014 and begin to usher in 2015, I'd like to narrow the theme of multiple resolutions to a single message: community associations maintaining a positive attitude extending long past the last glimmer of holiday lights. Can we be so bold to collectively work on expanding tolerance among our communities?

In an era of division and marginalization within our culture, whether "blue vs. red," "black vs. white," "Seahawks vs. 49ers, or "paper vs. plastic," wouldn't it be refreshing to live in a community that wasn't "us vs. them"? Aren't interaction, connection and socialization primary purposes for living in communities in the first place? If we truly wanted to be left alone and avoid integration and commonality, then we'd live in a cabin on top of a mountain. (I can almost hear those of you suffering from shopping mall PTSD saying, "Hmm, now that's not such a bad idea.") But seriously, the vast majority of us are not hermits; we live within diverse neighborhoods encompassing multi-cultures, ages, and socio and economic backgrounds. Instead of using these differences to push one another away, there is an opportunity for these dissimilarities to bring us closer together.

With these thoughts in mind, I suggest that community associations (including homeowners, board members and managers) work to improve their communities in the following ways:

1. If faced with a dispute or disagreement, try to dissociate your personal interest and see if there is a reasonable option that prioritizes the best interests of the community. As a member of that community, you too, will benefit.

2. Instead of dismissing or belittling a neighbor's difference, inquire and find out more information. Quite often, education and information leads to bridges, instead of walls.

3. Step into the shoes of your neighbor. In doing so, you might find a fresh perspective, or even an appreciation of their way of life.

There are numerous other ways to practice tolerance. The important theme is acceptance in lieu of rejection.

Community living brings with it diversity, variety and uniqueness. The holiday season brings with it an opportunity to reflect on where we are presently and where we are going. All of us at Barker Martin wish you and your communities a joyous, safe and tolerant holiday season that lasts all year round.