Date: Apr. 23, 2008
Tags: Fear, Economy, Aftershocks, Earthquake, Personal Responsibility

Fear and Its Aftershocks

 

I was listening on television Saturday night about the earthquake in the Midwest and the discussion of the aftershocks and how terrifying an earthquake can be. It reminded me of fear and its aftershocks.

 

Fear, as most of us know, can be defined as false expectations appearing real. The failing economy can be labeled as fearful. What are the aftershocks? I have been listening to my words as I speak about economic conditions, the banking mess, falling real estate prices and demand. My words have become pessimistic and fearful. I have little or nothing positive to say; most of my words are negative and critical of the President and the Congress. I consider these words and feeling as aftershocks to the fear earthquake. Do my words have an aftershock? I believe they do. My words negatively impact my being; I am pessimistic. My words negatively affect my surroundings; the people I talk with; my clients; anyone I come into contact with. 

 

How can I turn around this negativity?  I can be mindful of my thoughts, because my thoughts shape my words and my behavior. I can do something different. I can reassess my attitude. I can reassess why I’m in real estate. If I’ve made a decision to be a Realtor and a real estate Broker, why am I throwing stones at the President? Am I responsible for the economic downturn? Something to ponder. 

Date: Mar. 3, 2008
Tags: None

There’s a book by Betty Smith, ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’, about a girl growing up in Brooklyn. As I look out my office window, my peach tree is blooming; a sure sign of spring and with that, the hopes for a rebirth. Whatever else is happening in the world and in real estate in general, my peach tree is blooming with a promise for Spring and a glorious crop of peaches for me to share with the birds!! 

 

Peach trees in Phoenix are not that rare. There is an orchard south of Phoenix in Queen Creek, which has been raising peaches for years and I make the trek to Queen Creek to pick peaches in the orchard and can or freeze the peaches for peach cobbler and other delights. 

 

So, as my peach tree blooms and lights up my backyard, I am reminded that Spring will come and with it, a whole new attitude and outlook. It’s good to be reminded that Hope is Eternal and there is a universe beyond me. Peach blooms are a great reminder to widen my horizons and look beyond my narrow world. Just think, peach trees are blooming all over the world, as well as my backyard.