I’m Full of Gratitude

Holy Cow! (or should I say Holy Turkey?) Anyway, can you believe it’s already that time of year?  Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means that as I write this in late October, there are Halloween decorations in Target (or your favorite store) right next to the Christmas decorations.

Is it me, or does it make you wonder if retailers are tying to create an all new holiday, filled with pumpkins, candy canes and electronic gadgets?

It seems like just the other day it was the New Year. Alas, this must be a sign of getting older… which we won’t get into…

As I reflect back on the year, the countless people, events and things I’m thankful for, I realize that there simply isn’t enough room here in this newsletter to state them all.  To be honest, they fill a small notebook.  Several years ago I started writing down things I’m grateful for.  Some days it’s something as simple, yet so powerful, like the sunshine after several days of rain, or beautiful perfect spring weather.  Other days it’s being grateful for a new client, something one of the team members here did, or finally closing a tough transaction.  Then there are days where it’s new yoga pants, which I believe is the official wardrobe of the coordinators here at TMC, or a book which arrived as a gift from a friend who knows how much I love reading.

As I look back on my little book of gratitude I realize that no matter what time of the year it is, each day is a day of Thanks Giving.  One that I can choose to spend being grateful or grumpy about.  Both will get me exactly what I put into it.

As you know, being in real estate over the last few years has not gone without its challenges.  There were times when I met

strangers at a cocktail party or other event, and was asked, as most people do, “what do you do?”.  When I answered that I was in real estate, they said, “oh, I see” or “sorry to hear that, hope it works out” as if I had a fatal disease.  Aghhhhh!

Thankfully, in spite of what the media makes some believe,  real estate, or being in the business of it, isn’t a disease. It’s a business that like life has ups, downs, and everything in between.

I’m grateful for the business I’ve created, the clients our team works with, the team that I work with, and today the sunshine here in New Orleans where I’m spending the next few weeks.

While it’s “tradition” to spend time on Thanksgiving reflecting on what we’re thankful for, I challenge you to spend time daily noting the many things you have to be thankful for.  Trust me, if you have a tough day, you’ll be happy to have the book to remind you of all the things you’re thankful for.

I hope that your holiday is filled with fun, fabulous food and some time for relaxing.  My family and I will be spending our Holiday at the beach, where we’ll have some sand along with our pumpkin pie.