Home for the Holidays?

It’s the time of year when friends and families gather, laughter is shared and people rejoice. We all have our favorite traditions or ways to celebrate our various beliefs. Or maybe it’s just a time for you to celebrate life, family and friendship. For me the holidays are about celebrating the ones I love. Family are the people who make me happy, make me laugh. My friends are as much my family as anyone.

But what if all that wasn’t so? What if you found yourself alone. Without anyone to visit. Without family to laugh with. I have a client who spends his days alone. He is an 87 year old former Marine. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. And he doesn’t have anyone. We are trying to sell his property so he can move to a place where there are people to spend his days with. It’s all he wants. I have watched him shed tears over it.

I didn’t realize the situation was as severe as it is until a few days after Thanksgiving. I went to see him. Asked him how his holiday was. His response- fine. I asked if he went anywhere, only to find he spent the day alone. Just as he does every day. My heart was broken! If only I had known. I would have gladly brought my family to visit him. Brought him a proper dinner. Anything to make his day better.

Selling this property is all I want for Christmas this year! To help this man find happiness. To add people and friends to his life.

On Christmas Eve this year my mom and I are going to take this gentleman a proper dinner. Maybe a gift. And we will spend a little time with him. And I will hope that he finds joy.

This man is not alone. There are so many people out there who are lonely. If you can, go do something nice for them!

And if you know anyone looking for a private 2 acre lot in Barrington PLEASE call me!!!

Happy Holidays!

Here's a story for you...

I'm on a home inspection, it's FREEZING cold out and these buyers just happened to choose THE most long winded inspector one could find. (No pun intended- you'll see)

So there we are, shivering. I'm repeating in my head "please hurry up, please hurry up" hoping to will him into shutting up soon. Really, I want these buyers to get all the information they need, but this is going beyond anything necessary. And my toes are one step away from falling off.

Deep into conversation over the grade near the foundation..... Mom let's out the loudest, ickiest fart one has ever heard! Seriously. I thought she needed a bathroom!

What do people do under such circumstances? Pretend it never happened. Minus the slight pause, wide eyes and moment of confusion. But thank God for Mr. Talks Alot! He hardly missed a beat..... and spared some of us the emabarrassment of what could have been.

The Power of Choice

Life tends to throw us all an unexpected blow. For some, those blows seem to come harder, faster. December in New Hampshire can pack it’s own punch. I’ve been knocked on my back a time or two. Just stepping out my front door this morning- fourteen degrees with wind chills that make you wonder if you were somehow transported to Antarctica while you slept- was nearly enough to send me running with my tail between my legs.

What is it that sets those who duck and run apart from those who raise their chin and brace for the next blow? Choice. Everything we do, every step we take is a choice. The difference between those who succeed and those who fail are the choices they make. The difference between the person who chooses to go in to the office early and stay late and the one who does not, is reflected in the success they receive. The person who tries, fails and gives up versus the one who fails and keeps trying is seen in the outcome.

Most important is the attitude we choose to take. Only we have the power to determine our reaction. We allow people to make us angry. We allow situations to make us feel inadequate or worry.

Life as a real estate agent can be an emotional roller coaster. A single day can bring joy, laughter, pain, fear, worry, frustration. Just this morning for instance, a buyer and her agent walked into my listing- mind you, it was very early and VERY cold. These two ladies proceeded to pick apart and laugh- out loud- at different aspects of the property. It was rude, disrespectful. And at this time and temperature one could easily flip the switch from kind to evil bitch. I, by no means, always make the best choices. We could spend a considerable amount of time and enjoy some serious laughter discussing my various poor choices. But we will save that for another day. Today, I chose to take the high road. To keep the smile on my face, my responses light and move happily on my way. I firmly believe our attitude determines what we get out of life. Being kind to the people around you will result, not only in others being kind to you, but will also bring to you a level of respect others might not enjoy.

I have listened to a lot of talk about the reason for different agent’s successes. Some things not so kind. I say, whatever may have happened in the process, you can’t deny them the fact that they didn’t get there without drive, determination and work. They made the choice to do what it took.

Life really is a choice. Attitude really is a choice.

With the right attitude you can do anything!

With the right attitude success, respect AND happiness can be yours!

…and believe me. I have to remind myself often too! 

Let The Countdown Begin!!