Today is Thanksgiving and I have read many stories, twits and posts about the holiday and what it means to each of us. No doubt, it is a special time of year; a favorite of mine. I always wonder what the world would be like if every day were greeted with such hope and thankfulness.
I am a realist and know when the holidays are over, it will be business as usual, but what if it didn’t have to be? A thankful heart is a blessing to others. How would our lives change if we learned to be thankful each day? I believe having such an attitude will not only affect our own behaviour, but the behaviour of others. Thankfulness has a way of permeating our whole being.
After all, that which we believe tends to have a way of framing our successes and failures. My challenge is to find reasons to be thankful each day, in my life and business.
Could I learn to be thankful for the difficult short sale? After all, I learned more about the process.
What about the client who had to see 20 or more homes before they decided on one? That was 20 homes I may not have had the opportunity to view, and I have a client. Many of my peers don’t!
An agent on the other side who didn’t do their job – maybe they are having a difficult time and who cares if I had to do a few things I wouldn’t normally have done. As long as I don’t cross any agency boundaries and everyone is happy, my client served well, does it matter?
I’m looking for the reasons to be thankful in each situation. How about you?
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Vance Shutes
November 27, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Paula,
Wonderfully written. I’d love to be the agent on the other side, working with you on a transaction. That would be a blessing to be really thankful for.
Debra Sinick
November 27, 2008 at 9:29 pm
It is so easy to forget there are so many others who are so much worse off than we are.
There are many who do not have the time to comment on blogs of any kind. They are too busy simple trying to keep it all together.
No matter how things have changed for us, we are most likely among the luckier folks out there.
So when you see someone on the street who looks like they could use some food, remember how lucky you are and give them a $5.00 or $10.00 food certificate. That way you know your money will be put to good use.
Missy Caulk
November 27, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Well when you put it that way, we learn from every situation, gosh it is really hard for me to be thankful for those short sales.
Hope you had a great day, Paula.
George McCumiskey
November 28, 2008 at 12:47 am
Instead of worrying about the depressed market affecting the sales value of a property when I sell it, I want to feel thankful that I have a property to sell and to live in until I do. It was a warm family day today and I’m thankful for that too.
Paula Henry
November 28, 2008 at 6:55 am
Vance – How sweet you are! Have a beautiful week!
Debra – We are very lucky indeed! I have to say my life is great and I love sharing with others; it’s a small way of giving back and being thankful.
Paula Henry
November 28, 2008 at 7:00 am
Missy – Thanks! Yes, short sales are tough, but the thankfulness of my clients is worth it at every closing.
George – Exactly! Thankfulness has a way of helping us see the brighter side of every situation.
Mack
November 28, 2008 at 7:45 am
As we go through life we can choose to associate ourselves with people that have a positive attitude or people that don’t. Paula you are one of those with a positive attitude and choose to be associated with you. Thanks for your attitude and may your Christmas season be as much a blessing to you as you are to us!
Paula Henry
November 28, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Mack – How kind of you! I only wish to live up to the portrait you have painted of me! Very best wishes to you and yours for the holiday season!
Julie Anne
November 29, 2008 at 7:25 am
I think of 5 things a day to be thankful for, some of it is just telling myself how thankful I am that I did a good job at …I took this from the Millionaire Mind Intensive seminar and Jack Canfield. We get more of what we decide to focus on, I choose to focus on everything that happens positive. Sometimes I slip into the negative, but it is getting easier and easier to get back on track. This helps with sales and our business too.
Julie Anne
Barrington IL Real Estate
Paula Henry
December 7, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Julie Ann – Exactly the type of transforming mental task each of us must make to enjoy the thanfulness of each day.