Keeping Sane While Being a Realtor

To keep myself sane in this crazy housing market and the collision of the economy, unemployment and credit crisis – I stay hopefull by listening to my favorite tunes, watch some tear-jerking, tummy-tickling and jaw-dropping movies – along with others that are inspiring.  “Pursuit of Happyness” with Will Smith is awesome!  I also remember each and everyday that I need to push myself for my family – my husband who works 7 days a week outdoors in this bitter cold and my 5 children. 

My faith and being well aware that so many people are in such difficult situations is also a tremendous part of getting through touch times.  I read yesterday about an agent, who’s being a friend, while helping to sell the homes of clients– one with an inoperable tumor in her head – and another who’s husband beat and left her with 3 young children, 2 with severe autism.  Reading this made me sad, but I am glad those sellers have a good agent.  Also after reading this article, it made me realize how fortunate I am – even with my home sales being down, my husband having to switch companies risking his hours being cut, a fire in our house and bills that are causing nightmares!

Listening to my mother’s stories of growing up in Portugal brings a smile to my face – everytime.  But there are also many stories of  heartache.  In the small village where both of my parents grew up in – Vila Rinho da Raia in Chaves, Portugal – bordering Spain.  Of all the homes in that village, not one went untouched with sadness.  Either with severe illness and/or poverty and many times, the death of a child.  I’ve asked myself,  How did they get through those difficult times?  What support did they have? … 

My paternal grandmother lost not one, but a few children at childbirth, her 4 year old daughter was kidnapped, found and died of unknown causes a few days later, her husband – my grandfather – passed away, leaving her to raise all 7 children on her own.  But yet, she continued to live…

My Grandparents and my father 1925

 

Today, we just reached 3 million people who have lost their jobs.  If you know someone who has – stay in touch with them – a phone call, get together for a cup of coffee, help them write their resume or look through the want ads.  Being a supportive friend goes a long way.

                                                                            mysza831 – Flickr.com

An article for inspiration and advice:

• abc News – “How to Bounce Back After Being Laid Off”

“Worry never robs tomorrow of it’s sorrow, but only saps today of it’s strength.” – A.J. Cronin

Flickr Foto Fun Friday – Up, Up & Away!

For today’s – Flickr Foto Fun Friday – I have chosen the theme – “Up, Up & Away!”  in respect to my  hope that our economy, the housing market and our countries employment rate will be on the rise due to better days now the President Obama is officially in office!

                                                           Brian Negus – Flickr.com

                                                                 aussiegall– Flickr.com

                                                                Mannequin– Flickr.com

                                                                       Rob– Flickr.com

                                                                     mindfulness – Flickr.com

Hope you have an “up-full” day!

The Economy, Unemployment, Car Industry, Housing Market … We Need Some Inspiration!

In one way or another, it seems we are all in a struggle these days. The economy and inflation of pricing for gas and oil that we paid – and some are still paying if these expenses were put on credit.  With the increased cost of groceries, airline tickets, fresh flowers, dinner out, getting your lawn cut, a carwash, a haircut, …  – it seemed that just about everything was increased!

During these past Holidays, many stores were offering discounted prices and incentives to bring people out to shop.  But as I was out and about, the stores and malls seems like any normal weekend – I could find a parking space without having to circle the lot 7 times!  I didn’t have to wait on a line for 45 minutes to pay for 1 gift!  This should have made me happy, but it saddened me because of the reason why it wasn’t crazy and crowded.  People just didn’t have the money or were afraid to spend.

To keep sane, healthy and to remember that this too shall pass, I found a great site with some inspiration.  To read some ideas – “Looking for Inspiration” by: Cheryl Richardson <CLICK>.

Some of my favorite from this list are :

• I pray.  When struggling with anger, frustration, uncertainty, etc., “giving it to God” gets me through those feelings and inspires me to know that He is there with me and will guide and get me through.
• Watching “The Pursuit of Happyness”. This movie reminded me of the determination factor in the pursuit of a goal or dream. You have to keep working toward that goal, even when it’s difficult.
• I love to read books that keep me in the mind set of doing my best to be a better person.
• I find inspiration in gratitude. Every day I find at least 5 new things to be grateful for. Things as simple as running water, the cement on my garage floor, the paint on the walls of my house, the way light shines on a tree, today the frost on a picnic table like a million sparkling diamonds. When you think of how little others have in the world, we live in paradise. It energizes me to a happiness that gives me the power to do more, give more happiness, and make a difference in this world.
• Watching a sunset.

                                                  Hamed Masoumi – Flickr.com

Cheryl has been on Oprah <CLICK>   –   Good Morning America <CLICK> – Recent Good Morning America <CLICK>

So, eat well, exercises, listen to music, watch a sad movie and have a good cry if needed, think of and be grateful for all you have, know that you are fortunate and things WILL get better with a positive attitude and determination, and… don’t forget to BREATHE!

Danbury Fair Mall enhanced through PicNik.com