inspiration: Lessons Learned From the Value of a Penny...
- 08/15/07 01:50 PM
What's the value you place on a penny? That question has had different answers at different times in my life. In college, pennies found at the bottom of my book bag, locker or purse, were a little bit of a nuisance. You couldn't use them as change for the vending machine or to do your laundry. In addition, some local merchants looked askance when many pennies were used to pay for an item. In fact, gathering a large number of pennies meant a trip to a local bank (I didn't have a car so it meant taking the bus) and gathering … (21 comments)
inspiration: Coloring Your World Green.
- 08/08/07 04:31 PM
Green things that grow have always held my attention. I'm fascinated, though repulsed by green moldy things in the deep recesses of a refrigerator. And delighted by the first hint of green peeking up through the snowy earth at the first hint of spring. Green stimulates my imagination and the passions of my soul. I remember being given my first packet of seed to plant as a little girl. I stared at the lovely drawing of the plant that was somehow hidden in that little packet. I couldn't wait to open it; albeit somewhat disappointed to discover some non-descriptive looking kernels inside the … (24 comments)
inspiration: A Modern Version of the Ultimate "Fatal Attraction"
- 07/12/07 02:34 PM
One of the most fascinating Greek mythological tales is the story of a young man named Narcissus, who was the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope. He was an extraordinarily handsome young man and renown for his beauty. When he was born, his mother was told that he would enjoy a long life provided he never saw his own reflection. There are several variations of this tale that have survived so there is a suggestion that the tale we commonly refer to today is a "compilation" of several versions that were passed down over time. The story of Narcissus, is … (19 comments)
inspiration: Did You Have A Great Thought Interrupt YOUR Day Today?
- 06/27/07 02:32 PM
I had a number of errands to run today. It's one of my rare office days when my schedule is my own to do with as I please - within the boundaries of getting my work done of course. The day is gorgeous in Grand Rapids, so my youngest son and I take off in the car to enjoy being together and being outdoors. He's immersed in a new book, so I pop in a Tony Robbins CD from his "Get The Edge Series." He momentarily perks up to listen and then decides his book is more interesting. I settle down. We're … (22 comments)
inspiration: Are You A Sneaker Warrior?
- 06/25/07 03:14 PM
A Sneaker advertisement in the latest issue of Vanity Fair magazine (June 2007) captured my imagination. Coverse brand of sneakers to be exact. A Sneaker Ad about Healthy Cultures and Creativity. Healthy Cultures...the definition according to Converse: "Healthy Cultures Nurture Creativity. They help breathe life into the people who live within them. Offer an array of perspectives to agree with, to fight against, to expand on or challenge." "A Healthy Culture Welcomes Dissent. Listens for the sound of new voices. Supports original imaginations." "Healthy Cultures are full of artists. When hope dies, so does creativity. When culture is lost, so is the Future." "Indifference is the enemy. Nothing … (10 comments)
inspiration: A Fellow Travelers' Observations on the Road Less Traveled.
- 06/03/07 05:35 PM
The pastoral homily today offered a modern perspective on a ancient biblical tale about gates & entrance ways...narrow & broad. Our pastor recounted a recent visit to a lovely Chicago neighborhood. He was having difficulty in trying to locate his friends' home; a stately old mansion, barely visible from the street and shrouded by dense foliage. He recalled driving up & down the boulevard trying to locate the residence while continually passing the well marked grand entrance to a popular park that draws a steady stream of traffic and thousands of visitors on the other side of the road. Two gates, Two entrances...one so easily accessible that the momentum of traffic towards it … (8 comments)
An open door speaks of an invitation to enter, an opportunity to explore. The expectancy of discovery always carries a risk that the adventure may entail more than we bargained for. A shut door on the other hand speaks of barred access, denied entry, and limited opportunity. It may also provide a shield of safety against dangers yet unseen. Often both options present a dilemma of sorts. Walking through the access and possible opportunity of the Open Door, Or being denied welcome and access in the unyielding nature of the Closed Door May prove to be more than anticipated. The journey over the threshold can … (0 comments)
inspiration: SShhh....Are You Too Good at Keeping Secrets???
- 05/11/07 05:11 PM
In the age of knowledge workers, the cliche that information is power is truer than ever-which makes withholding information even more extreme & irritating" Quote from "What Got you Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith. I've been reading this challenging & provocative book on the recommendation of my sister. During her last visit, she kept on commenting that she thought she had bought the book to recommend as reading for her mangers...but found herself reading it more & more for herself. Well, I'm having the same interesting & sometimes painfully honest experience. Goldsmith, who as a corporate trainer has … (10 comments)
inspiration: Limitations Are Simply A Matter of How You See Things!
- 05/02/07 08:16 AM
It's interesting how disparate dots sometimes connect in real estate transactions. Two of my most unusual transactions involved improbable situations. Several years ago, Chris, a young man barely turned 18 approached me because he had heard I sold real estate. No one wanted to take the kid seriously, and I could tell that he was bracing himself for the same brush off from me. When, I told him that I was willing to work with him, his face lit up with excitement! A couple of months later, he bought his first home and a couple of years later sold it for $24,000 in … (13 comments)
inspiration: Why Shifting Into Neutral Can Fast Forward Your Advancement!
- 04/30/07 04:28 PM
There's an oft repeated tale about how certain hunters in Africa catch monkeys. It can be very difficult to corral these intelligent creatures, so hunters have used a more inventive method...trapping a monkey by enticing him. A small jar is placed at the base of a tree with nuts or other items which may attract the monkey's curiosity. The opening of the jar allows the monkey to place his hand in, but when he tries to withdraw it, he is unable to do so without letting go of the contents of the jar. Believe it or not, some monkeys will stay there with … (35 comments)
inspiration: Touching the Holy...Daring to be Truly Ordinary!
- 04/26/07 02:25 AM
From time to time, you find a book that truly nourishes the soul. The book, Touching the Holy, by Robert J. Wicks is one of these gems. According to Dr. Wicks, "True ordinariness is tangible holiness". He explores with profound insights, the works of the ancient dessert Fathers and incorporates he contemporary themes in psychology to bring powerful insights about why it is important to truly embrace who we are called to be as ordinary human beings! I'm not even sure how this book was recommended to me, but I'm so thankful to have the gift of reading & re-reading it. The clarity of … (0 comments)
inspiration: Cultivating the Art of Rainmaking to Transform your Business Forecast!
- 04/22/07 09:02 AM
This past week was an adventure...the cost-a-fortune-college-trip adventure! We just got back from a long trip up the east coastline to visit a few universities with our son. Just prior to the trip, a scary Northeaster storm rammed the areas where we were headed. Then on the way into New Haven, CT, news of the Virginia Tech massacre was filtering in on the airways. With so much going on, including flooding reports in many areas, we were actually grateful that our final destination was simply blustery cold rain & moderate winds. We passed several areas which still remained covered by standing … (18 comments)
That being said, we pause this good Friday to focus on the Sacred. During this Easter weekend, Christians around the world will focus on the suffering of Christ & the power of the Message in his resurrection. Tonight, I paused with my son to watch a film about some African children. Invisible Children, trapped in the nightmare of a forgotten war. As my son watched the video...transfixed, forgetting that he had not eaten his supper, I was reminded of the words of a … (8 comments)
inspiration: A Fisherman's Tale...The Catch of a Lifetime.
- 03/31/07 12:53 PM
This was not a task for the faint hearted or the inexperienced. Launching into the deep at night, their modest fishing trawler jerked away from the peer, laden with heavy nets jammed in between the middle racks. The men shifted to maintain balance, piercing the stillness of the water with the rhythmic movement of their oars. Their silhouettes merged gracefully into the inky black sky as they silently set out for the task ahead. They would row several miles into the deep waters. As a team who had weathered much together, they knew each other deeply, with an intimacy that needed few … (6 comments)
inspiration: How Will You Know When You're Ready to Seriously Consider Making A Move?
- 03/21/07 06:26 AM
Driving home from work, you notice that your next door neighbors did it last night. You're sure it wasn't there when you left for work early this morning, but now it...the For Sale sign...is boldly strutting it's stuff on their front lawn daring you to pull over & surreptitiously swipe a flyer from the over-stuffed information box. They've put their home on the market! You find the urge irresistible...Your must know what price they are asking for their home! You may have been mulling over the idea of putting your house on the market for some time. Or, perhaps, it's a sudden turn of events like … (1 comments)
inspiration: Worrying, Wanting & Waiting...Releasing Emotional Hurdles During A Home Sale.
- 03/15/07 03:13 AM
From time to time, I work with clients who are having a really difficult time leaving a home. Sometimes, it is a home that they have lived in for decades which holds a lot of precious memories. At other times, circumstances have changed; perhaps a job transfer which necessitate a move. It is a really difficult thing to be dealing with the normal stress of showings and a move and also wrestle with the fact that deep down inside...you're not really ready to leave...just yet. Over the years as I've counselled with my clients, I've realised that there are a number … (21 comments)
inspiration: Creating Transformational Transactions! Part 3
- 03/06/07 06:13 AM
Readers of my Blog may remember a series I did about the challenge of finding land to build a home with some proximity to Lake Michigan entitled "Transformational Transactions" Parts 1 & Part 2. Well, Joel the Builder delivered. Ed & Penny just recently moved into their new home! Last week, I had a delightful lunch with Penny. She & Ed are settling down finishing unpacking and she sent me a few pictures to show how beautifully things are taking shape. So much has happened in Penny's life over the past 2 years. She & Ed moved to a completely different part of our state … (2 comments)
inspiration: A Parable...The Acorn & The Butterfly.
- 03/02/07 05:05 PM
In the contemplation of spring, a faint stir begins to whisper underneath the blanket of snow. Unobserved, and unobtrusively, the acorn having shed it's hard shell like a pair of worn out pants prepares to begin it's slow upward ascent. Absolutely dead and lifeless - as long as it remained a seed, it remained powerless. Even a squirrel could have its way with the acorn then. It was rolled on, and rolled over, kicked and ignored and finally buried and left alone. But underneath the cool shroud of darkness, deep within the earth...life renewed again, imperceptible to the observing eye, the seed became a sapling … (14 comments)
inspiration: A Play on Expectations...
- 02/27/07 10:08 PM
It's funny how the minds work. We all form mental pictures of what we think someone will look like. That's why a movie of a good book rarely meets our expectations. I had spoken to her on the phone several times. We had established a good raport. She had contacted me via an on-line real estate referral service and was travelling to Grand Rapids to start a new life. We arranged a meeting with her and her fiance and one of our mortgage professionals. With heart breaking honesty, she shared the difficulty of the past year with the passing of her husband … (24 comments)
I entered the Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate market just before the markets began its remarkable upswing. In 1995, faxes and e-mail scans were not the primary means of delivering an offer. Face to face negotiations required patience, persistance, and a thick skin. If it was NOT a particularly attractive offer...well, let's put it this way, the dining room table in the home of a disgruntled seller could easily become hostile territory. I tried to heed the advice of my trainer who urged us "Rookies" not to take things personally. The challenge for me was this: How do you NOT take it personally … (2 comments)
Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate information including houses for sale, rent and home buyer/seller tips. Also includes wisdom and insights from Lola Audu, CRS Associate Broker.
Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate
Grand Rapids Real Estate
West Michigan Real Estate
Buying A home in Grand Rapids, Mi
Selling Your Grand Rapids, Mi Home
Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grandville, Michigan Real Estate
Relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan
;)
;)
;)
