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Circumstances Happen

What a week. It has already been a week of shocking circumstances.
The market is down. The market is up. Circumstances.
The bailout is sure to pass. The bailout didn't pass. Circumstances.
Credit has tightened. Rates are down. Circumstances.
Buyers are afraid. Sellers are upside down. Circumstances.

There will always be circumstances. Good circumstances. Not so good circumstances. Our destinies, our fortunes, are not determined by circumstances. Rather, they are determined by our reaction to these circumstances.

In good times it is easy to be successful. After all, even a dead fish can move with the current. However, when times are challenging, when we must swim against the current is when the good agents are separated from the not so good. In these challenging times I am reminded of what Rose Kennedy said about circumstances:

"Early in life, I decided that I would not be overcome by events. My philosophy has been that regardless of the circumstances, I shall not be vanquished, but will try to be happy. Life is not easy for any of us. But it is a continual challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful - and to be strong, so that those who depend on us may draw strength from our example."

Be cheerful. Be strong. Nothing is permanent. "This too shall pass."

Posted by Ron Tiller on 09/30/2008 10:23 PM

Comments (6)

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6 Comments on Circumstances Happen

Hi Ron,

That quote hits home to me right now. It's the fight or flight dilemma in a nutshell. We truly have to choose our attitude. And I choose to be positive.

I have always thought that many things are perceived to be a much bigger deal than they ever actually are. I have participated in an eye-opening, yet unintended experiment lately. Locked up in my apartment plugging away on my computer, blogging, advertising, searching for homes, emailing clients, etc. I haven't turned my TV on in over a month!

Do you know what happens when you don't turn your TV on for a month? You realize just how much stuff doesn't matter, because you hear other people ranting and raving about the topic of the day and feel a strange, yet comforting detachment from it. Media hypes up strife and turmoil like it is vital to survival. But in reality, none of this stuff really matters at all. People are still buying and selling homes. Other people are staying in their homes with absolutely no threat of losing them any time soon, whether or not they are upside down. It's like a drug that we all get addicted to. A drug called drama. Who needs it?

Should we be concerned about what is going on in Washington? Yes. Will it be the end of Real Estate if things don't quite work out? No. I would venture to say in 5 or 10 years, few of us will have today's "circumstances" weighing heavily on our minds.

You're right, Ron. I thinnk we'll make it.

09/30/2008 10:48 PM

by Josh Thomas (RE/MAX Austin Advantage)

I loved your comment about the dead fish! Interesting point and quite a visual. Really brought your point home. Thanks for the post!

09/30/2008 10:51 PM

by WR Starkey Mortgage

Love the comment about the dead fish - that is classic. I was actually thinking of the market today in the same fight or flight character that Josh mentions above. And I agree about not getting swept up in the raging torrent that is the media. Just be positive, do the best you can at your job and you should always have business.

09/30/2008 10:54 PM

by Lisa Friedman Central New Jersey Real Estate (Pinnacle Realtors)

Good comment about the dead fish. Thanks for the post

09/30/2008 11:15 PM

by Terri Kincaid (ERA Brokers Consolidated)

Good comment about the dead fish. Thanks for the post

09/30/2008 11:15 PM

by Terri Kincaid (ERA Brokers Consolidated)

all I can say today is that 2 local businesses merged here in Alabama, a Savings & Loan with a chicken Shack... that says a lot right there, heh? thanks for your post!

09/30/2008 11:19 PM

by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County (FIRST REALTY)

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