Transitions-The Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate Blog

Lowville's Largest Street Sale, Burlington, Ontario

Thu, 28 May 2009 08:24:03 -0500

Traveling north up Guelph Line in
Burlington , you eventually come
to the beautiful historic village
of 'Lowville '.
It is aptly named as it sits in an emerald-green, lush valley where sparkling Bronte Creek flows prettily through.

I was in Lowville last week and it was the most pleasant short excursion experience I've had in awhile.

The road that leads to the stream and past the old stone schoolhouse is lined with tall lilacs which are presently in bloom. The beautiful scent carried throughout the village and brought to mind what all of our pioneer villages must have been like 150 years ago.

Lowville is having it's 'Largest Street Sale ' this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 28, 29 and 30th) from 8am-3pm.

This treasure-hunter's dream sale is being held at the Lowville United Church , 5800 Guelph Line, North Burlington.
All residents in the region are invited to participate by hosting their own yard sales and for those who live in other areas. the church will be renting space in their parking lot.
An outdoor barbecue will be held on all three days with regular barbecue fare being offered for sale.

I hope you'll attend. You just might find an antique treasure or something you've been wanting for a long time.

You can reserve a spot or find out more information by calling 905-681-0864 or by contacting Owen Calhoun / Marilyn Fox

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group - Quantum Realty Inc., Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.Oakville-BurlingtonHomes.com

Buying a Home In Mississauga, Oakville or Burlington-Advantages of Using Your Own 'Buyer's' Agent

Tue, 26 May 2009 18:47:37 -0500

As you begin the process of searching for a home in the Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga regions of Ontario , one of the most important steps to take is to find a real estate sales representative who you feel comfortable with and who has good past client references .

Many people searching for a home do not realize that they have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars, time and avoid potential problems by choosing to work with a REALTOR® early in the home buying process.

A REALTOR® will sit down with you and go over all of the things that should be taken into consideration when searching for a home.
They will provide you with valuable information and tools that will help you to find the right home at a price that fits your lifestyle and needs.
They will advise you on things to watch out for and will be there for you from the beginning until the day you move into your new home and will stay in touch with you once you've moved in should any problems arise.

As you begin to work with a REALTOR®, he/she will discuss with you the advantages of signing a 'Buyer's Representation Agreement '

A Buyer's Agency/Representation Agreement provides you with the top level of services a REALTOR® can provide and these services are most often provided to you free of charge.

Your Buyer's agent is paid for the work they have done for you through the Seller's agent whose property you have purchased. The Seller's agent is paid a commission by the Seller when their house is sold. From this commission, a certain percentage is paid to the Buyer's agent's office who then pays the Buyer's sales representative.

When acting on behalf of my buyer clients, I offer the highest levels of service, free of charge to my buyers.
In giving the best service possible to my buyers, I provide the following list of services to ensure that they have an enjoyable, smooth, care-free and happy home buying experience:

To assist my buyers in understanding what will take place, I outline the entire homebuying process from beginning to end.
To facilitate this, I provide my buyers with a Homebuying Book and pamphlets on various things to do with the homebuying process.
In order that my Buyer clients feel comfortable with signing the Buyer's Representation Agreement, I explain it in detail and ensure them that if they are not happy with my services and are able to provide me with an explanation, they are able to cancel the agreement at any time.
As part of the Homebuying process, I discuss with my clients financing alternatives and determine their needs with regards to financing the purchase of a home.
If they will be requiring a mortgage, I provide them with a Sutton Member Program VIP card which enables them to apply for a mortgage with the lowest interest rates in Canada.
Only those Buyers who buy through a Sutton sales representative who is a member of the Sutton Member Program are eligible to apply for a mortgage at this lowest rate.
The 5 year term, fixed rate mortgage is currently at 3.24 %.
I endeavour to find the best possible home for my clients and in order to do so, I meet with them and ask them to answer a fairly in-depth questionnaire that deals with their specific needs and desires in a home.
My Buyers have the right to always be kept up to date with the new listings that have come on the market.
Immediately after determining my Buyer's needs/desires in a home, I register my Buyers on a Listing Update Program through our local real estate board that provides them with all of the new listings that meet their criteria by email on a daily basis.
They are then free to peruse the information at their leisure and, since the best listings sell very quickly, are certain not to miss out on any new listings that come on the market within their guidelines and price range.
When my Buyers come across a property they would like to see, or if I recommend we go and see specific properties, I coordinate the showings and accompany my Buyers through all of the listings they wish to see.
When looking through homes, I point out potential problems and concerns in relation to each particular property. This gives my Buyers the peace of mind in knowing that a trained eye who is working on their behalf is observing each property along with them.
When my Buyers find a home they would like to put an offer in on, I provide them with a Comparative Market Analysis on the property so that they know the value of the property.
This enables them to make an informed decision when deciding how high they would like to go when negotiating on the home price.
I provide my Buyers with all of the information that is available on all properties that they wish to view.
On any property that they have further questions about, if I don't know the answer I find out and let them know as quick as possible. This way they won't miss out on a home due to not knowing the answers to any pertinent questions they may be considering.
Time is always of the essence when searching for the right home.
If my Buyers are short on time or are from out of the region, I preview properties for them in order to weed out those that are of poor quality, require a great amount of work or are not suitable.
This way my Buyers only need view those properties that are of good quality, priced right and fall within their search criteria.
If one of my Buyers finds a For Sale By Owner, or if I find one for them that falls within their search criteria, I will set up an appointment to view with the Sellers and should my Buyers decide to put in an offer on the property, I will prepare the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and do all of the negotiating with the Sellers.
I will also ensure that the Sellers pay my commission for the services I've provided to my Buyers and in payment for bringing them an offer on their property. This way my Buyers are still ensured of having my services provided free of charge, no matter if a property is listed on the MLS system or not.
When my Buyers find a home that they would like to put an offer on, I discuss with them the terms and conditions of the offer, advising them as to what clauses and terms I feel should be included for their own protection and in their best interests.
I then prepare the Agreement of Purchase of Sale and present it to the Sellers and their Agent on my clients behalf.
I negotiate with the Sellers and their Agent to get the best possible price and terms for my Buyers.
As part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale conditions that I recommend to my Buyers, I ensure that all offers are conditional upon my Buyer receiving a satisfactory Home Inspection Report on the property prepared by a highly qualified professional Home Inspector.

I give a list of recommended Home Inspectors to my Buyers and ask them to choose one for the inspection. I also ask that my Buyers be present during the Home Inspection process and I ensure them that I will also be in attendance at the Home Inspection.

Once the Home Inspection is completed, I discuss any issues with the Home Inspector and make recommendations to my Buyers as to how to proceed from this point forward.
Most often, if a house requires certain upgrades or repairs, these can be negotiated on with the Seller during the negotiation and offer process.
I endeavour to do this to the satisfaction of all parties involved so that my Buyers feel comfortable moving forward with a purchase of the home of their choice.
Any and all personal information that my Buyers disclose to me is kept in strictest confidence. I provide them with a privacy agreement that outlines this and my Buyers feel comfortable knowing that they can trust me to always keep their best interests in mind throughout the home buying process.
On any property my Buyers decide to offer on, I do my best to find out the Seller's motivation and reasons for selling as this information will play a vital role during our offer preparation and negotiations.
Once the offer to purchase has been accepted, I ensure that any and all conditions are satisfied in a smooth and timely manner. I provide my Buyers with a list of recommended lawyers and outline to my Buyer's their lawyer's role and what they can expect to pay.
I also provide my Buyers with a list of Homebuying incentives and rebates that government bodies may be providing so that all of my Buyers receive the highest value possible in their home purchase.
My Buyers receive a list of home services that will be provided to them at a discount rate for having bought through me. These services may include, although are not limited to, moving and cleaning services.
On closing day, I ensure that the events of the day flow as smoothly as possible for my Buyers and am there to assist should keys need to be picked up or documents delivered.
To ensure that my Buyers are happy with their home purchase and to make sure they know I am always only a phone call or email away, I contact or visit my Buyers on closing day and discuss with them their new home and any concerns they may have.

This is the day of celebration and I'm justly proud of my Buyers and their new home and all they have come through to reach this point.
I ensure that my Buyers know that I will be staying in touch with them and that they may call or email me anytime should any issues arise with their new home or just to say hello!

Hilton Falls Conservation Area; A Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:41:05 -0500

In the early afternoon this past Sunday, I was busily working away at my computer when I received a call from my brother, Clayton. He was planning to take his children on a hike to Hilton Falls Conservation Area in Campbellville and wondered if we would like to come along.

As I gazed out the window at the rather dreary day and wet windowpane, I wondered if it was such a great day for a hike, however after a short discussion with Louis, we decided to take Clayton up on his offer.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area is a short drive from Oakville and Burlington. It took us about 20 minutes to get there and as we drove down beautiful country roads and up over the Niagara Escarpment, I couldn't help but marvel at what an intriguing area the Golden Horseshoe is.

The Niagara Escarpment lends so much diversity and natural beauty to the region that one never has to go far to view stunning vistas or gaze in awe at the magnificent rock formations.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area is a 645 hectare park that runs along the Niagara Escarpment.
As a Provincial Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and also a World Biosphere Reserve, it is a place of refuge for a diverse array of plant and animal life.

The trails are extremely well groomed and easy to walk.
Hilton Falls welcomes hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers and the 33 km of trails are sure to leave the visitor looking forward to coming again.

We enjoyed a refreshing hike to the falls and the historic mill site and I took particular delight in observing the forest floor where a variety of spring wildflowers were putting on a show.

It seems that not everyone gets as excited as I do over a pair of Wakerobins in bloom, however I don't mind that at all.

I believe I must have been an herbalist or medicine woman in a past life and those who hike along with me seem to enjoy my chatter about the native uses of our indigenous plants. At least they appear to be interested!

As we hiked along, the sun broke through and the wind died down. My nephews and niece ran ahead in excitement as they made discoveries of giant fallen branches with the rushing sounds of the falls in the distance calling to them.

Near the falls there is firepit stocked with firewood where a weary traveller or group could rest while dinner cooked or get warm on a wintry day.

Dogs are allowed, as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 2 metres.

Here are more pictures from this rejuvenating piece of paradise:

Bloodroot in bloom. The natives used the orange sap from Bloodroot as an antiseptic and dye.

Wild Columbines just about to bloom.

Three little hikers, my nephews and niece, lead the way down the well groomed trails at Hilton Falls Conservation Area.

A sinkhole at Hilton Falls. Sinkholes were formed when the pressure exerted by glaciers on rocks swirling in water, wore deep round impressions in the limestone.

The pioneers made use of the water pressure formed by falling water and built mills. Here are the remnants of an old mill at the Hilton Falls site.

Trout Lily leaves carpet the forest floor. Trout Lillies are so named because of the mottled appearance of their leaves. Soon dainty yellow flowers will bloom above the beautifully patterned leaves.

Strange and mysterious, the Mayapples draw the eye with their striking appearance as they near their blooming period.

The plants grow in groups and the flower must be searched for under the leaf canopy.

The Mayapple fruit is edible when completely ripe, however all other parts of the plant are extremely toxic.

Indigenous people used a tincture of the plant as an insecticide.

Rivulets of fresh, clean water, from Sixteen Mile Creek, cascade downwards as they make their way to the rushing stream below.

My nephews lay claim to the title 'Kings of the Forest'.

This astounding area is unique in all of North America as four species of salamanders can be found in it's wet pools and under damp rocks.
Nature lovers will enjoy viewing over 100 varieties of plants and numerous unusual mammals such as the Northern Flying Squirrel and the American Water Shrew.

If you live in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Guelph or Hamilton, Hilton Falls is just a short drive away.

Enjoy a peaceful day hiking and wrap up your visit with a barbecue (barbecues and picnic tables are provided) as you relish in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Visitors to our region should make sure to take time out for a daytrip to this UNESCO site where wilderness that once could be found throughout the Golden Horseshoe area, may still be found.

Bronte Pioneer Cemetary on the Shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:41:21 -0500

On an early, autumn day last year, Louis and I
were driving along Lakeshore Road as it meandered through the cities of Burlington and Oakville, admiring the many grand waterfront homes and the majestic trees that towered overhead.

Exploring the many side streets that lead to the water's edge, we happened to turn down a small road that led to a quiet, lakeside neighbourhood where a peaceful cemetary lay in the middle.

Gazing at the old gravestones that lay scattered under 200 year old oaks and pines, I felt myself entranced at how such a halcyon place had survived all of these years while the city had grown up around it.

The blueness of Lake Ontario caught my eye, where the road ended, and I noticed the cemetary lay along the shore with some headstones very close to the eroded embankment.

Being a history buff, the site remained in my mind and I vowed to one day find the cemetary again. The next time I would take pictures and learn of it's history, I quietly thought to myself.

On an early spring day, not too long ago, I set out once more to find the old cemetary that held secrets of the area's early beginnings; tales of schooners sinking in gales and small children dying of the numerous diseases of the day.

Traveling up and down various roads that led to the water's edge, I came home unsuccessful and even more determined to locate this beautiful, heritage area.
Googling Oakville pioneer cemetary, I at last found what I hoped was my cemetary. Once again I set out with my Garmin close by in search of West Street along the shores of Oakville.

Traveling down the tree-lined street, I sighed with satisfaction as I spotted that , yes indeed, I had found the pioneer cemetary that had so marked my soul last autumn.

Parking my car and gathering my camera, I began to meander amongst the almost 200 year old gravestones and marvel at their beautiful carvings and simple inscriptions.

My heart felt a deep sense of sadness as I noticed that many of the graves were those of children and very young men and women. I could only imagine how hard times must have been back then.

Bronte Pioneer Cemetary came to be in 1830 when Phillip Sovereign, a farmer in the area, designated the peaceful eastern corner of his property as a cemetary. Many local people had already been laid to rest there.

He wished for it to be a burial ground for people of all 'orders, sects, nations and parties' and officially deeded it as such. Many of the earliest people's who had escaped slavery via the Underground Railway came to be buried here.

Childhood mortality was very high in the 1800s and the cemetary has an even more sadder feel with 1/3 of the graves being those of children.

Schooner and shipwrecks were common on the Great Lakes in the early days of settlement and many mariners who's boats were lost in storms off the cemetary's coast, were laid to rest here.
One of them, Jimmy Baker, a young man who was the 1st mate of the schooner Magellan, was the only body found when the Magellan collided with the U.L. Hurd in 1877.

Two brothers, the Dorlands, were young fishermen whose boat capsized in a great storm in December 1886. Both perished and were laid to rest in Bronte Pioneer Cemetary, leaving behind two young families.

The fierce storms of Lake Ontario have wreaked their havoc on the cemetary over the years and 70 feet of cemetary have been swallowed by the crashing waves, taking along some graves of the early pioneers.

Today it is a peaceful place with towering old Oak trees where Gray Squirrels scamper about looking for acorns and building nests.

It seems very fitting that Mourning Doves are commonly seen now, walking serenely amongst the old stones.

Some of the stones have suffered vandalism through the years, and the sands of time have eroded many inscriptions away, however the feeling of reverance and sorrow for those whose lives were lost, still remains.

In 2003, the Bronte Pioneer Cemetary was registered under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a Heritage Site.

The cemetary is a peaceful place to visit for those who are interested in historical sites and in the early history of the Village of Bronte and the City of Oakville. There are benches where a traveler can sit and gaze in awe at the beauty of Lake Ontario while the silence of the heritage site washes
over a harried soul.

Land O'Lakes Region-Beautiful Ontario 4-Season Waterfront Cottage For Sale On Black Lake, Near Sharbot Lake, Ontario

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:07:24 -0500

Enchanting Lakeside Cottage Offered at $349,000 in Land O'Lakes Region, Central Frontenac, Ontario- Black Lake

For Your Private Viewing Contact:

Jo-Anne Smith, BSc
Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage
(see end of article for contact information)

Down a quiet Ontario back road that winds it's way through an emerald forest, sits an enchanting lakeside cottage.

As you approach the lake, the dappled sunlight breaking through the leafy canopy overhead, sets the stage for what you are about to experience.

Coming to the crest of a small hill, your eyes rest upon one of the most beautiful lakeside homes you've ever seen and as you take in the exceptional landscaping, perennials and the beauty of the native trees, you begin to feel your soul breathe a gentle sigh.

Stepping out of your car, all of your senses begin to awaken and a restful calm envelops your being.

The scent of pine fills the air as your city-weary feet feel the gentle cushioning of the moss and pine needles beneath them.

A loon calls in the distance and you find yourself gazing out on the glassy lake hoping to catch a view before she quickly dives below the surface.

Welcome to this beautiful, 4-season, Black Lake cottage resting serenely on it's own private 43 acres of wooded paradise!

Pristine Black Lake is excellent for swimming, boating and fishing.

Situated in the Land 'O Lakes tourist region of Ontario, Canada, this exceptional summer cottage is less than a 10 minute canoe ride across the lake to beautiful Sharbot Lake Provincial Park with it's inviting, clean white sand beaches and boat launch.

The two beautiful beaches of Sharbot Lake Provincial Park are just a pleasant paddle away from your own private, sandy bottom shoreline.

One of them can even be seen from the deck of this exceptional property!

Venture over to the 100' portage that connects Black Lake to Sharbot Lake for an afternoon adventure.

Features:

Gentle slope to the 150' of level shoreline. Hard sand bottom waterfront is perfect for small children and pets to swim or play in.

Children love to fish off the sturdy dock and it's the perfect place to dream away the afternoon reading or catching some sunrays.

Year-round access on a peaceful gravel road that is maintained by the municipality of Central Frontenac.
Includes 43 acres of forest perfect for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Extensive road frontage with potential for lot severances.

Beautiful wrap-around deck overlooking the lake on the west and south sides of the cottage. West side deck~ 38'6" x 9'7" . South side deck ~ 20' x 9'7" . Additional small deck fronting on walk-out of lower level ~ 14'3" x 4'8" .

Excellently maintained, pine, board and batten siding has been freshly stained to bring out the warm wood hues.

An abundance of large windows in all rooms with beautiful views and plentiful light.

1403 sqft cottage boasts warm, oak hardwood floors throughout (with the exception of the bathroom). Beautifully decorated with many unique features.

3 Spacious bedrooms with built-in Captain's beds included (king-sized in the master, double-sized in the 2nd and 3rd).

Master bedroom ~ 15'4" x 11' 4"

2nd bedroom ~ 14'6" x 7'7" with private 11' x 6' balcony facing the water

3rd bedroom ~ 8'8" x 8'6"

Open concept dining room and kitchen is perfect for entertaining large gatherings.

Kitchen has an abundance of oak cabinetry and includes a refrigerator and stove.

Kitchen ~ 13'4" x 8'6" .

Kitchen has crown moulding.

Dining room ~ 11' x 9'

Spacious 23'3" x 10'7" living room facing west with large windows overlooking the lake. Includes a comfy sofa and chair.
Patio doors open onto the west deck.

WETT certified wood stove for those cool fall evenings or a winter get-away.

Cottage comes equipped with a TV antenna and all window coverings and rods (including outdoor blinds).

Living room opens into the warm 19'3" x 7'6" sunroom which overlooks the water.

The sunroom is the perfect place to set up extra sleeping quarters when guests arrive or share a peaceful evening dinner.

Separate 9' x 7' library/den with built-in bookshelves and cabinetry. Includes a pull-out chesterfield for extra guests.

Excellent 21'5" x 19'5" attached Double Garage with entrance to the cottage. Insulated and wired for workshop use.

Partial Basement with plentiful storage (30' x 20') and a walkout.

Abundant, clean fresh water from the drilled artesian well.

200 Amp Electrical service.

Washer and Dryer hook-ups.

Attractive woodshed for storing firewood and garden tools.

Beautifully landscaped with an abundance of stone steps, perennials and formal gardens.

Additonal photos:

The village of Sharbot Lake with the convenience of any amenities you might need, is just a 5 minute drive east. Central to Kingston, Ottawa and Belleville, your friends and family will take great delight in visiting for a respite from the hectic pace of city life. Toronto is approximately 3 hours away from this pristine Land O'Lakes Region and you can reach the United States border in less than an hour.

For your private viewing appointment and more information:

Jo-Anne Smith, B.Sc., Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage
613-922-5978 Direct/Cell
905-469-8888 Office/Pager
smithj@sutton.com

Bronte Outer Harbour Marina In Oakville ~ Re-Awakening After a Long Winter's Nap.

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:15:50 -0500

One of the most picturesque and relaxing
places to visit in Oakville is Bronte Outer Harbour Marina.

Resting serenely on the shores of Lake Ontario, Bronte Outer Harbour Marina has a myriad of services to offer local boaters and visitors as well as beautiful areas to walk or spend some time contemplating the sounds and sights of nature.

Bronte is now re-awakening from a long winter's nap and anxious boaters are counting down the days to when their boats will leave dry land and once again float gently in their water homes.

Canada Geese have returned and the gulls are once more gliding gracefully on the upland drafts and breezes coming off the lake.

The boat slips are thawing and a myriad of migrating waterfowl stop over daily to rest in the sheltered waters of the marina.

Local residents once
again can be seen walking along the peer and fishermen can again be seen casting their lines in hopes of landing a prize catch.

A lonely harbour lays in wait.

Bronte Outer Harbour re-awakening after a long winter.

Patient slips await their boats.

Overlooking Bronte Outer Harbour ~ A beautiful place to call home.

The Keepers of Our Stories.

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:20:47 -0600

Stories. We all have one.
Some of us have many.
They hook together like an unending game of Barrel of Monkeys never letting us pause long enough to reflect on the pattern, or whether or not there even is a one.

Some of us live in constant chaos.
Such is the nature of life. It's messy. This is the way life unfolds. Our lives unfold in a deep mystery that is often only seen by someone looking on.

The one in the midst of the chaos is too tangled amidst searching branches and stubborn roots to be able to see clearly the way out.
Here steps in the vessel for our stories.

The keeper of the stories of our lives is most often someone close to us. Someone we trust enough to reveal our stories to.
These vessels are extremely important in our lives and should be listened to and loved deeply. They hold up the reflection of our life so that we may view it and see it in it's naked, chaotic glory.

Once we see what the vessel wants us to see, we begin to have choices. Until then we are stuck. We struggle and struggle not knowing which way to turn, making many wrong choices which only increase the chaos and tangle us more deeply.

Each of us longs to be known deeply.
To have someone really 'know' us and understand us and see in us the things we cannot see for ourselves.

With this person or persons, we feel safe and 'right'. All anxiety dissipates when we are around the keepers of our stories and we know we are in the presence of someone uniquely rare and hard to find.
Someone who knows us often better than we know ourselves.

The keepers of our stories know our tender places. They've been there with us down difficult roads on which we've stumbled many times. Each time they were there to extend a strong hand and pull us back up again.
They know our strengths and they see the gifts we were meant to bring to the world.

They know us through and through and love us, unconditionally.

Listen to the keepers of your stories.

They have only your best, unbridled interest at the centre of their warm and loving hearts.

They care about you and want you to see what they see. Gaze deep into the mirror they hold up for you and take in carefully what they show you.

The key to your existence is often held safely by those who know you, listen to your stories and from there light the path you should be following.

Who are the keepers of your stories?

When you find one, hold fast to that person and treasure them for the rest of your days.

It Costs Nothing and Yet Can Make All the Difference in the World to Someone.

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:57:20 -0600

Sometimes in life you come across something that stays with you and changes who you are. It doesn't just change you momentarily, it changes you permanently, and through some hidden alchemical reaction taking place in the invisible places between your neurons, you are never the same again.

For me it was a quote I heard once, possibly about 7 years ago, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle".
No one seems to know who was the original sayer of that quote. Some say it was Plato and some say it was someone else. It matters not, for it's an eternal piece of wisdom that holds true no matter what era the human race finds itself in.

Kindness softens a heart and gives hope where perhaps before there was none.
On a daily basis, as you go about your business, you are interacting with many people. Some you barely speak to, some you have a longer conversation with and some you don't speak to at all.

Make no mistake though, you have touched each of their lives, whether you spoke or not. Oftentimes even a glance will affect someone who is at their wits end and drenched in desperation.

You never know when your kind smile and eyes will make all the difference in someone's life right when they needed it most.

Think of a child. It breaks my heart to see a child with a worried or sad face. Childhood should be a time of happiness and ease, however for millions of children the world over it is anything but.
Do you remember when you were a child someone who was kind to you and what it meant to you? I sure do.

There was Mr and Mr's Barazynski who lived next door to us in Batawa, Ontario.
They were an elderly and lovely couple who's children had grown.

They seemed to dote on me and one day, when Christmas was approaching, they brought over some tiny figurines wrapped gently in cloth.
They were 'from the old country', they said and they thought that I might enjoy having them.

I gazed in wonder at the clay figurines which were painted in muted tones, now dull with age and the oils of the many hands who had held them.
They seemed heavy in my tiny hands and my Mother thanked Mr and Mrs Barazynski while I stared in wonder at these small treasures, the remnants of an old nativity scene.

I felt so loved and so special at that moment.
To think they had thought of me and had brought these treasures to my house to give them to me. I will never forget their kindness nor their soft smiles and gentle eyes.

Think of the difference you alone can make in one tiny life or in the lives of all of those you meet daily. Just a kind word of encouragement or admiration recognizing something special about the person goes a long way and will never be forgotten.

Are You Meant To Be In the Business You're In? Or........

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:58:41 -0600

Perhaps you're not.

It's a deep question that we all must do a self examination on if we find ourselves not wholly dedicated to doing our job with un-tethered passion and bristling enthusiasm.

How do we know whether we're suited to the particular career or job we find ourselves in?
Perhaps there are signs all around us and we fail to recognize or to acknowledge them.

Maybe we find others often telling us we should be a '(you fill in the blank)'. If we hear that often enough, we may begin to finally recognize our true life calling and, sadly enough, it's often ourselves who are the last ones to fully accept the true gift we have been put here to bring to the world.

How do we recognize if we belong in Real Estate or not?
Asking ourselves the following questions and answering with all sincerity will bring us closer to the truth:

Do we enjoy and look forward to the opportunity to meet new clients through open houses and office duty and being involved in our communities?
Do we accept each new listing challenge with gusto and give it everything we've got to make sure a client's home is properly marketed and exposed to it's fullest extent?
Are we open and receptive to the interest that other agents show in our listings?
Do we set up appointments-to-show quickly and efficiently and do we deal honestly and ethically with our fellow agents and the offers they bring to the table? Do we provide them with all of the information they ask for and if there is something we're not sure of, do we attain the info for them in a timely and cheerful manner?
Do we interact with our clients on an empathic level, carefully listening to and acknowledging their concerns and questions?
Do we make ourselves available easily by phone and email and return all calls and emails quickly?
Do we go out of our way to help other agents and share our knowledge so that they might also service their clients to the best of their ability?
Are we considerate of our buyers and take the time to educate them as to the real estate process?
Do we stay abreast of all new listings daily so that our buyers won't miss an opportunity to purchase a property that is perfect for them?
Do we provide constant updates for our seller clients and provide them, gladly, with all of the feedback from agents and buyers?
Do we take time to make recommendations to our sellers by providing them with a list of tips that will assist them in making their property more presentable and help it to sell quicker and for more money?
Do we feel a joy in our heart when our clients sign an agreement for their dream home, even if it is not the most expensive one they can afford or offers the most commission to us as selling agent?
Do we always put our clients needs/desires first and always remember that the most honourable and worthy goal to strive for is a happy client?

No matter what business you're in, if you're dealing with the public in any way, these are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself in order to determine whether or not this business is right for you.

Taking Notes - A Greatly Under-used and Under-rated Business Success Tool

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:32:09 -0600

When I think of people who carry around small notebooks and are constantly scribbling things, I think of someone who means business. Columbo comes to mind...Columbo always got his man/woman and a big part of his success was the notes he was constantly taking.

What makes you stand out in a potential client's mind?
Is it the way you dress?
Perhaps it's the way you carry yourself or the colourful brochure you hand out.
Perhaps, it's all of these things and a little more. That little more could be the deciding factor in whether a potential client decides to go with you as their choice or not....and that little more could be, surprisingly, nothing more than a small coiled notebook and old-fashioned pen that you take out and make notes in whenever you're getting to know someone new who is in the market for a business person in your field.

Taking notes signifies that you care.
You care enough to 'take note' of what the person is telling you.
You care enough to want to make sure and get the details straight and make sure all bases are covered should you be fortunate enough to have them choose you to meet their needs and desires.

Never underestimate the power of your notes. Later you will refer to them when preparing feature sheets, client forms and marketing items.

When going on a listing appointment, I've always carried a clipboard and on it I take extensive notes while listening to everything that is being said by the seller.
These notes are like gold to me and, although I take intensive interest in what the seller is conveying to me, I never leave all the details totally up to my memory, for memories have been known to not always be as thorough as we would like them to be.

By taking notes, you are showing your potential customer/client that you take what they are saying seriously and you mean business. You show that detail and thoroughness are important to you and the customer will more likely see you as someone who is conscientious and attentive.

When following up with a potential client, a summary of your conversation goes a long way towards how impressed they will be with you and shows you are competent and are concerned with taking outstanding care of their needs.
The notes you've taken will be like gold in your hands as you prepare a follow-up letter or call to the potential client.

Never underestimate the little things in business. It's the little things that count and are remembered most. They make all the difference when it comes to who someone chooses to represent them in their business needs.

~Jo

'Pass the Lemonade' Hits Here Twice in One Week...Are You Next?

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:47:57 -0600

Recently I received emails from two of the first Active Rain friends I ever made, Bill Cherry and Tom Braatz.

Glancing at Bill's email subject line and seeing 'lemonade', I wondered just what he was up to now.
Bill has contacted me a few times in the past with contest ideas for the Inspiration Group, so I thought
that perhaps he had come up with a new contest idea that somehow or other involved lemonade (you never know with Bill).
I was very touched and honoured when I read the email body and saw that Bill had chosen me as one of his Top 10 favourite writers here in the Rain. Tom's lemonade award soon followed.

Knowing these two gentlemen quite well and being very aware of their own outstanding talent as writers, I felt very honoured that they had chosen me. Now the onus was on me to choose 10 of my own favourite writers here at Active Rain and I knew I had a difficult job looming.

Pondering by the fire, i glanced far off to the snow-laden, white pine branches outside my window and one by one images of these writers came to me.

Each of the following members have left indelible marks upon my heart, both as writers and as the people who they are.

1. Bill Cherry~ Bill is a published author and Real Estate Broker in Dallas, Texas and one of the very finest writers we have here at Active Rain. If you haven't yet discovered his writing, you're in for a real treat.
I came across Bill's blog quite by accident in the early days of my time here at AR and was totally in awe of his amazing talent for story-telling.
Bill and I became friends and one day, I was taken by complete surprise when a special package arrived in my mailbox, all the way from Texas. It was an autographed copy of Bill's delightfully entertaining book 'Galveston Memories'.
I finished the book in two nights and then passed it along to my Dad. From then onwards I dreamed of growing up on Galveston Island or at the very least, since I was already grown up, of visiting there one day.

2. Carole Provenzale~ Carole is a master in the art of Feng Shui and owns Feng Shui Long Island. She is by far the most caring and gentle soul I have come to know here in Active Rain.
Carole writes with warmth, passion, supreme talent, intuition, knowledge and skill. Her posts not only impart great wisdom and wonder in the unseen mysteries that surround us, they also teach us a great deal about Feng Shui.
She is truly one of the greatest treasures here at AR and I feel greatly blessed that she is one of my closest and most cherished friends.

3. Jennifer Bukaty~ Jen is a real estate agent in Portland, Oregon (although I think she may soon be relocating to PA). Her writing tweaks through your cells, tugging and pulling at places you forgot were there.
Her depth and ability comes out in prose that draws to the surface of your being all human emotions wrapped up into one. Yep, she's that good.

4. Jason Sardi~ Jason, a Mortgage Broker from Allentown, PA, is one of the few writers I've come across who is able to tell it like it is, no holds barred, and pull it off with such finesse, talent and class that one becomes hooked after the first few words.
His mortgage articles are a must, not only for those interested in purchasing a property, but also for all of those in the housing industry who would like to keep abreast of the changes in the business.
You never know what to expect from Jason, however you can be assured that whatever he is writing about, his style will draw you in and he'll keep you interested right from the first paragraph.
BTW, Jason and Jennifer (see above) are one of Active Rain's few true love stories.

5. Elizabeth Nieves~ Elizabeth, a Real Estate Broker from Durham, North Carolina, recounts her life experiences in such vivid detail and with such emotion that the reader can't help but feel they have lived through the experience as well. Her blogs will bring tears to your eyes and at times will fill you with warmth from top to bottom.

6. Tom Braatz~ Tom is a top commercial and residential real estate broker in Southeastern Wisconsin.
It was within the first week of my joining Active Rain back in the late spring of 2007 that Tom and I connected and rapidly became close friends.
His style of writing is very rarely seen as he speaks with such direct honesty that you can't help but feel you are sitting across the table from him listening as he recounts a tale.
Tom has that rare ability to combine simplicity and depth and leave you feeling that the story has so many more layers than what you're actually reading on the page. His subject matter transitions with ease ranging all the way from real estate to the communities that he serves to renditions of people he has known to anecdotes about his son, Spencer and his best friend, Lars, the German Shepherd.

7. Kathy Clulow~ Kathy, a real estate salesperson right here in Ontario in the Uxbridge region, is an artist in the truest sense. No matter what subject she chooses to write about, her skilled use of descriptive metaphor cause her posts to come to life right before the reader's eyes.
Too many times to mention, she has made me want to hop in my car and drive to her area to take part in whatever she has chosen to blog about.
Definitely one of the finest writers I know and a dear friend who lives not too far away.

8. Penny Hull~ When Penny, of Stanton Homes, Raleigh, NC, blogs about a local attraction, she does it with a thoroughness that defies description. She is one of the very top marketing/localism writers I have come across. Her company, is extremely fortunate to have her blogging on their behalf.
For all of you who are wondering how to craft a first class localism post, be sure to visit Penny's blog.

9. Gary Wotal~ Gary is a real estate agent in Dallas, Texas. Once you discover Gary's inspirational writing, you'll become a devoted fan of his daily wisdom. His writing has helped countless people here on AR and in the outside world.
He's a philosopher through and through and has a seldom seen gift for transcribing his thoughts to the written word.

10. Joan Mirantz~ 'Joni', a real estate agent from Concord, New Hampshire, has a clear, unique writer's voice that carves through the subject matter with such striking deftness that the reader is swept along on whatever journey she is taking them on with her gift for storytelling.
She has made me laugh, cry and marvel through blogs she has written and her gift for the use of humour in the written word is second to none.
She's also one of my first and dearest friends here at AR.

There are numerous other Active Rain members who's writing I greatly admire and my list could quite easily be close to 100 or more long.
No other site on the net has such an abundance of talent, knowledge and ingenuity as that which can be found amongst the members here at Active Rain.

~Jo

Holiday Acceptance Is Found in Waving Hands and Frost-bitten Smiles.

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:27:36 -0600

Rising from a cosy bed piled high with wool blankets, a thick quilt and flannelette sheets, I notice the light in the room is different.
As I peek through the slatted blind covering the window nearest the bed, my heart softens to see a white and beautiful world where everything has a muffled tone and peace abounds.
Slowly, slowly a feeling starts to envelop me once more.

It's a familiar feeling and a very welcome, comforting one. The Christmas spirit has found me once more.

I suppose it began the day before when, bundled up in a furry hood and cashmere scarf, I walked to the end of my street to watch the annual Burlington Santa Clause Parade go by.
It had been an unusually cold and brisk day and my fingers had froze in my leather gloves each time I took them out of my pocket to take another picture of a passing float.

Children sat bundled in small chairs with barely a small red nose visible beneath the scratchy scarves that were wrapped around their chubby faces. Parents waved from the sidelines at all the parade participants as they found themselves unable to resist the convivial spirit of the parade and the welcoming in of the Christmas season once more.

Thinking of the blog I wanted to write for my Active Rain real estate website, my attendance at the parade was more utilitarian than something I had really looked forward to doing; however standing near those people who were already well imbibed with Christmas spirit, I found my homesick heart lifting and the odd time I noticed my own arm raising as it waved at the happy souls who manned the floats.

Feeling my heart beginning to swell, I found myself reciting, in my mind, the old familiar Grinch Who Stole Christmas' thoughts about how, perhaps, Christmas does indeed mean more than all the glitter and materialism that bombards us this time of the year.
I imagined he must have felt the same feeling overcome himself that I was now beginning to feel.
It probed at my soft inner core for points of entry, points that hadn't been bolted and locked to keep the outside world safely out.

The parade had ended with Santa himself waving his usual jolly, red-sleeved wave at one and all, and I found myself softly smile in the realization that Christmas goes on, no matter what.

As I walked swiftly home in the stark winter air, I found myself humming the song the Whos had sung on that Christmas morning in Whoville when they had awoken to nothing after having had all of their Christmas preparations taken away by a grizzled old Grinch.

The song was an uplifting one declaring to all that Christmas Day will always go on, just as long as we all have one another. Yes, I quietly thought to myself, it's true.

The Christmas spirit will descend and Christmas will come, just as it has always done, no matter what our life circumstances or the difficult times we are going through.
All we have to do is acknowledge and accept.

Acknowledge and accept that no matter how bad life may appear, or how much stress we are undergoing, things will always turn around and a brighter day will find itself in our midst, gently surrounding us in light and warmth.
Just as long as we have 'we', things will be fine.

We have friends, family and even strangers who seek to know us better. Underneath all of the faces that we find ourselves coming across during this peaceful season, we are all the same.

We each seek love, acceptance and gentleness.
We seek it for ourselves and we long to give it to others, if they will only open up and accept it from us.

This is what the Christmas spirit is all about, it's what it has always been about, and, as long as we have 'we', will always be about.

Wishing you and your loved ones and those who surround you a peaceful holiday season filled with genuine smiles, warm hugs, open hearts and acceptance for one and all.

~Jo

Books, Blue Skies and Snowflakes....

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:25:02 -0600

I awoke to a beautiful, winter wonderland and a soft blue sky where cottony, white clouds drifted serenely across.
Winter doesn't bother me the way it used to...in fact, I love the contrasts of the seasons more with each passing year of my life on this breathtaking planet we call home.

My to-do list for today is comprised of a lot of errands here and there....taking 43 wine bottles to the Beer Store for recycling (no, I'm not a wino, I just had this very good intention once upon a time on a long ago Frosty Friday, of making a few batches of wine and just never got around to it), visiting my Mother to return her carpet steamer and hook up her bedroom television (since she is now home from the lake for the winter months).

Then it's to the office to pick up a waiver and fax an offer to a lawyer. Then it's off to the library to return the most amazing collection of books that I've taken out in a very long time!

If you're looking for some magnificent books that will help you in life and business, here they are:

Life's Missing Instruction Manual~The Guidebook You Should Have Been Given at Birth by Joe Vitale.
You MUST read this book! I can't emphasize enough how amazing and satisfying this book is. I've devoured it at least three times now over the past 3 years and I now realize I need to buy it. It deserves a permanent place on already overstacked bookshelves.

The 8 Best Practices of High-Performing Salespeople by Norm Trainor.
Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to completely finish this book as I've been so busy with my move, however what I have read is right on and I know I'll be taking this book out again, this time from the Burlington Library once I move. So much to digest and implement here.

Ziglar on Selling by Zig Ziglar.
Well, what can say? It's Zig, the name says it all.

Entanglement~The Greatest Mystery in Physics by Amir D. Aczel.
My inner scientist will just not let me STOP reading these books on quantum physics and the state of the universe. I'm fascinated with this stuff and can't get enough of it.
If you wonder how we're able to communicate long distances with those people we're bonded with (without even picking up the phone or sending an email), then I recommend you read this book.
It's highly scientific, so unless you have the brain of a physicist or at least the interest in many things 'physics', you might find it a tad overwhelming, however, I guarantee that once you read even a fraction of this book, you'll never look at our lives here or the physical world around us the same again.
This is another book I HAVE to buy and add to my physics books collection. Gasp, life here is so incredibly interesting and never ceases to amaze me. The Genius of it all!!

Ok, for a quintessential marketing book, you have to pick up Marketing Your Services For People Who Hate to Sell by Rick Crandall, Ph.D. I'm ordering this book from Chapters this afternoon so that I'll always have my own copy to refer to. It's so crammed with useful info for anyone running their own business, that you'll never lack for fresh ideas and things that will make your business take off like a prize race horse straight out of the starting gate.

Last, but by no means least, since it is written by none other than the two greats themselves, Jay Levinson and Seth Godin, is The Guerilla Marketing Handbook.
Doesn't the title just say it all? And since you all know Seth, you know this book is light years ahead of it's time.

Guess I better get a move on here....so many places to go, people to see and things that cry out to be done. Just wanted to leave you with this quote which struck me so strongly this morning that I know it will be one of those ones that I'll be quoting now and then out loud, most likely mid-conversation with someone:

"The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude toward them."~Antoine de Saint Exupery

~Jo (written early this morning, however my cable has had a widespread outage most of the day and I could only post now!)

The Reluctant Vagabonds We Harbour Within.

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:58:37 -0600

'Time outs' for me these days involve sitting amongst packed boxes and piles of 'giveaways', 'for sales', 'recyclables', 'for the shredder' and 'for the curb' items.

I never realized that preparation for moving can be so emotionally taxing.
I'll now have much greater empathy for my clients as they prepare for their moves and sort through the years of their lives deciding what to keep and what should be let go of.

Our lives are like shooting stars. They go by so fast.
It's strange how the static objects in our lives, those things that don't change, serve as guideposts to where we've been and what's been lost along the way.

They say you can never go back and I'm beginning to understand that more and more as I prepare to leave the life I have here behind and begin anew elsewhere.

Daily I am approached by people who come up to me with sorrowful faces who say things like:

"I hear you're leaving us."

"Yes, at the end of the month."

"Well that's great for you but not so great for us. We're going to miss you."

and

"So you're moving away! I'm devastated to hear this. I've had my two hour cry and consulted my therapist over the fact that you're moving."

"I'm really feeling sad over the fact that you're moving away. In fact, I'm feeling sadder every day about this."

"You're what!?! You're moving away? WoW! I'm going to miss you terribly."

"I'm very disappointed to hear that you're moving. We're going to miss you."

and so on.

At these times, I begin to realize that the old 'cup in a bucket of water analogy' is really false afterall.
We all DO matter and we all do make a difference in the lives of others. And no, we are not replaceable.

We are each unique and fill a place in the lives of others that only we can fill.
Once the cup of our lives is taken out of their bucket, that bucket will never be the same again.

There's one problem though.
It slowly becomes very apparent to me that the bucket of my life is being severely depleted as I am losing the cups that represent so many people all at once, and this can become very overwhelming as it rips an ever deepening tear in the very heart of my being.

If you're not careful to say goodbye slowly and adjust to the loss of each person from your life, all of these goodbyes can become immobilizing.
Sure, you'll stay in touch. You'll visit, you'll email and you'll sometimes call; however no matter what, you know in your heart that things will never be the same.

Somewhere, in and around the Burlington, Ontario area, there are many people who will soon be adding a unique and beautiful cup 'of their life' to the new bucket of my life that I'll soon be filling.
Even this knowledge though, does not compensate for those I'm leaving behind.

As I experience this slow disentangling from my life here, an old post I wrote comes to mind and these words I wrote ring loud and clear deep within the raw and saddened places of my being:

"Your soul is a child. It is the first to wander off and trust. The first to fall in love with an idea, a view or a person. The last to forget. It is the part of you that tags behind and pulls with a steadiness as it cries to you ‘no, wait, wait, I am not ready to say goodbye . Can’t we just stay a bit longer?’

Your soul is innocent. It lives in a different world than you. A different dimension. It will never understand the harsh events of your life nor the negative character traits of the people you come across. This is not a part of your soul’s vocabulary.

Your soul is blind. Your soul is only love. It is the dancing child within you. The one who calls to you to look up and see that last mauve cloud move briskly across the clearing sky after a downpour.

It is the one who understands what an old dog is saying as his eyes gently and humbly meet yours and something within you softly moves.

Your soul will feed itself. It only asks that you prepare a small corner table in a quiet courtyard where flower petals fall softly to the stones below and your face can be caressed by the shifting whimsy of a gentle breeze.

Then it asks that you take a seat in the remaining old wrought iron chair and listen to what it has to say."

Lately I've been drinking a lot of that old, mellowed brew that my soul serves up each time I sit down to lend an ear to what it wants to tell me.

The stories it tells me these days are often sad ones for you see, it longs to linger behind with those people and days it's grown attached to, while the rest of me moves on.

Well, I guess I better finish this last drop of tea my soul served up this morning and get back to sorting through those tangible pieces of my life.
The intangibles my soul yearns to deal with will have to wait for another day.

Perhaps tomorrow.

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Summit Group-Quantum Realty Inc, Brokerage, in Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.Oakville-BurlingtonHomes.com

Writing From the Soul for Business Success.

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:01:08 -0500

As I gazed out on the burnished orange and soggy maple leaves that still clung to the sugar maple outside my window, I began to reflect on the concept of blogging, not pseudo-blogging, as in ghost written blogs, but real, live, written by the blog-owner, blogging.
Peeling back the layers of who we are, we bare our souls to all those who care to cast a glance our way.

Sometimes things happen in conjunction and it's at these times you just know that the universe is trying to tell you something.....usually it's a big something, or the conjunction wouldn't have happened.
Of course, there are those who believe in coincidences, however just like my friend Carole Provenzale, the master of Feng Shui on Long Island, I'm not one of them.

So here I find myself, on a rainy, grey, late October day in southern Ontario, in deep contemplation over blogs and how real blogs are an extension of ourselves, like our right arm or a bony knee.
They reach out and touch people, brushing them lightly or sometimes jabbing them sharply and striking a chord or a feeling that's hard to shake.

Sometimes we leave a blog feeling bruised, although there are those writers who leave us feeling as though we've just been gently caressed or sat down to tea in a small, friendly cafe.

How do we explain the feeling that some bloggers just naturally leave us with whenever we visit their blogs?

Are they expert writers or imparters of information?

Or is it something more?

I have a strong suspicion it's something much, much more.

The blogs that touch me the deepest and leave me wanting more, are those that are written from deep within the blogger, from the heart, and the very best are written from the soul itself.

The words come from a far-off place that we all know of and, in our hearts, remember.

As they bridge the gap between the writer and the reader, they leave us feeling warm and cuddled and like life is really a wonderful place to be, afterall.

Why does one blogger have the ability to reach deep down within themselves into that magical place where time and space do not exist, and therein find just the right words that have the ability to touch those places within each of us and another can't seem to get there?

Is it a commitment to being real and honest and open or is it something else?

My friend Kathy Clulow, an amazingly warm and caring REALTOR from Uxbridge, Ontario is partly responsible for my thoughts being in this place today.

A few minutes ago I was reading a post of hers to do with this subject and it was at that moment that I had also begun to leaf through one of the library books I had just taken out this morning called Naked Conversations, by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel.

Naked Conversations is an excellent book that expounds on the importance of blogging in today's business world and how blogs are changing the entire landscape of marketing.

Naked Conversations, the maple leaves clinging to the wet, lead-coloured branches and Kathy's post worked together in some strange, synaptic junction of my brain to bring me to the realization of just how important blogging really is in today's business world.

In a world that is moving faster all the time, and where information overload assaults all of the senses at every turn, people have a deep empty chasm where things 'of the soul' should be and yet, few of these things can ever be found.

Those bloggers who blog from the soul have the ability to reach out and fill a tiny part of this empty chasm.

They write with passion and transparency and like the entanglement of tiny photons, they are connected with you in mystical, invisible ways.

These connections tickle your cells as you read and leave you with a feeling that has you saying 'ahhhhh' or brings a soft smile to your face.

We are reminded that we are all human and as humans we have a desire and need for warmth, connection, genuineness, honesty, empathy and familiarity.

When writing from the soul, keep the following tips in mind:

Highlight the positive aspects of whatever your subject matter is.
Readers become regular visitors to a certain writer due to the feeling that the writer left them with.

Always put yourself in your target audience's shoes when you are writing in order to inspire a feeling of trust and further interest.
Don't use lingo or trade-talk when writing your articles if you are writing for a general readership. Using trade-talk will put up an emotional barrier between you and your reader and create discomfort.
Offer to give further resources on the subject if the reader would like to contact you. Indicate that if they would like brochures, packages, personalized service, etc, to feel free to contact you and you will provide the service/information for them.
If you find your brain is on overload with a million thoughts and you are unable to relax into writing mode, try gazing out the window at the clouds or take short walk in a natural environment.
I find playing classical music also motivates and opens up my writing channels.
Sometimes there are so many things going on in our lives that we become bogged down and can barely think clearly enough to write.
Taking a break from it all not only refreshes your creative spirit, it will open up the channels and give you fresh ideas.

Keep a thesaurus handy or use the online thesaurus and insert less commonly heard words into your articles to spice them up and add interest.
Practice discipline.
Writing is something you are doing for your business and if you decide that it must be a regular part of your business activity, you will make the time to do it.
Summed up in a quote from Charles "Tremendous" Jones, "There are essentially two things that will make you wiser-the books you read and the people you meet.". In short, if you are planning an article on a particular subject, read anything you can find on that subject and talk to people who are in the know.
Ask questions.
People love to be helpful when it is something that they are knowledgeable about and if they give you the ok to quote them in your article, it lends your post greater credibility and interest.
Add pictures to your article to make it more visually appealing and to break up the words. Photos add warmth and depth to an article and help the reader to visualize what you are saying.
When choosing something to write about, choose something you are passionate about or find something about that subject that you are passionate about and go from there.
Try not to be too structured as you write. Just write what you feel and when you are finished your 'rough draft', you can go back and make revisions or corrections.
Avoid having paragraphs that are too long. Break your thoughts up by making your paragraphs short and adding appropriate images or links.
Vary the kind of text you're using by bolding some lines, italicizing others and perhaps underlining the more pertinent points in your post.
Using the bullet or number feature to help outline a series of pertinent points.
Plan your article and what you would like to say in it by making a point form 'skeleton' and build from there. As Napoleon Hill once said "Every well-built house started with a definite plan in the form of blueprints.".
Use plenty of adjectives in your sentences. This allows the reader to more fully experience what you are telling them. Try to use adjectives that cover more than just the 'sight' sense. For instance, if you are describing a park, you could use adjectives like 'fresh', 'serene', etc.
If you have writer's block, try picking a specific subject to write about and focus on it. This will get your brain working and your writer's block will dissipate as you begin to tell about the subject you're writing about.
Don't start with a headline/title. Instead, write about your subject and while you're writing, you may notice a certain string of words jump out at you as being ideal for the title of your article.
If you're having a problem writing about a certain subject, pretend you are telling your best friend or a family member about the subject or answering a question they've asked you about it.
Try to write in the morning when your mind is fresh and uncluttered from the day's activities/events. Put a do not disturb sign on your door, and work away.
If someone is upset that you're spending this time writing and need privacy in order to do it properly, explain to them that it is part of your business activity and is a necessary part of your marketing and prospecting for business success.
Alternatively, sometimes writing at night when the world is at peace will enable you to focus more and reach that place deep down inside where thoughts and words come more easily.
Project 'feeling' into your descriptions. For instance, rather than saying a meeting is held on the second floor of a certain building every second tuesday, say something like 'as you ride the elevator up to the second floor meeting hall, you might be fortunate enough to meet the guest speaker!'
Interview someone who is directly involved with what you are writing about and ask their permission to quote them directly and/or to include their picture. Readers love this personal approach and who knows, you just might meet some new potential clients while doing your interviews!
If you're stuck somewhere in the middle of your article, put it in draft mode and leave it for later in the day or some other time during the week.
You'll find a fresh approach will remove the writer's block and you'll likely have mulled some bright new ideas to include that you hadn't thought of before. The subconscious mind loves to be given a task to work on and you'll often find that when you come back to your article, much of it has been written for you.
Allow yourself to relax and don't be afraid to reveal who you are through your writing.
Napoleon Hill, one of the wisest men I've ever come across, has this to say about 'fear', "The absence of fear, and not formal education or brilliance of mind, is the major cause of individual success."

Readers want to feel that you understand them, that you care and that you are just like them in more ways than not.
Only then will they reach out and bare their own soul to you, entrusting you with their hopes and dreams.

Attention Canadian Housing Industry Professionals~CMHC Housing Outlook Conferences Coming Soon to an Area Near You!

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:50:24 -0500

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has requested that I let you know about their upcoming Housing Outlook Conferences to be held soon in various locations across the country.

This year's agenda looks very exciting and this is an excellent opportunity to stay abreast of new trends, markets, investment opportunities, and consumer preferences.
The insights provided will assist you in making sound business decisions for both you and your clients.

Each conference will apply specifically to the local market it is being held in and you may also be eligible to earn an education credit.
The conference is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers in the housing and investment industry.

The conferences will be held in the following locations:

Montréal, November 14

Québec City, November 18

Hamilton, November 13

Kitchener, November 4

London, November 18

Ottawa, November 20

Toronto, November 6

Edmonton, November 5

Calgary, November 18

Vancouver, October 30

This year's agenda looks particularly exciting and will provide much needed information in light of the current economic situation.

For more information, please visit Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's website.

Mark your calendars and submit your registration today!

Our Daily Choices Have Wider Spread Consequences Than We Choose to Be Aware Of.

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:27:29 -0500

The high pitched squeals of children playing outside at recess echo across the green expanse of field strewn with the richness of copper-coloured maple leaves.
As I ponder on the richness of nature, a part of me harbours a tiny shard of shame that I am human; part of that race which has the ability to bring poverty to anything it touches, even to the natural world that supports it.

Where ever mankind has settled, nature has suffered and become less diverse, less beautiful, less harmonious and less able to follow it's own intrinsic cycles of birth, renewal and natural death.

We are a species of destruction, even unto ourselves.
In exploiting all that surrounds ourselves, we inevitably destroy the only thing that can possibly bring us a richness, both to our body and our souls.

At no time more than today, as we survey the vast reaches of this fragile planet we call 'home', has poverty of our own kind been more evident.
We only see this if we truly look beyond our own doorsteps, beyond our own towns and cities, beyond our own countries and, sometimes, we do not even have to look beyond our own communities before we are struck with evidence of suffering due to the poverty of both bodies and souls.

When we think of poverty, we envision starving children in third world countries and vast dust bowls where the erosion of soil and the loss of natural water bodies have wreaked their devastation upon the land and it's sentient creatures.

We envision 'lack' in all it's forms. We find no evidence of beauty left, no interaction of life forms and no respite from the discomforts of our everyday lives. These places of 'lack' are places we would rather avoid; places we don't want to think about, places we would rather forget even exist.

Insulated by our warm and spacious homes, we stare mindlessly at television commercials where celebrities hold tiny, large-eyed children on the brink of starvation. We are urged to donate through organizational bodies in order to send a child to school, provide a vaccine or enable a village to drill a new well.
We can barely even imagine the life they must be leading and before changing the channel, we tell ourselves that any money we donate would likely never reach those impoverished places.
Instead, we believe, that our meagre contributions would be filtred out by overhead and red tape and in the end, nothing we do would ever change anything.

In this way, we assuage our discomfort and guilt that we have so much, more than we need, and they have so little. And so, the imbalance grows.

We live in a society that consumes beyond reason, not because we are cruel or insensitive, but more because we are insulated from the true cost our consumption is placing upon the earth and our fellow beings, including those of our own species.

We have the ability, just by changing some of our own habits, to feed the entire globe and then some.

Meat production in North America alone, requires over 540 million tons of food every single year and yet, just 40 million tons of food would put an end to a large majority of world hunger.
The animals we raise for consumption require MORE THAN 80 percent of the plant products we grow.

At no time more than the present, with the world food stores being dangerouusly low, are the ramifications of this more evident.

Jacques Diouf, head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, has stated that the agency's food costs have risen by more than 40% in 2007. He cites the following reasons for this frightening trend:

the early effects of global warming which have caused a decrease in crop yields in some areas
increasing demand of plant products for biofuels and livestock feed
increasing numbers of humans who consume meat and animal products placing a larger demand on the very grains that the world's hungry require. These grains are now being diverted to furnish the production of meat to meet these demands.

Those societies who are consumers of large quantities of meat are the same ones who are able to afford their lifestyle and, with little consideration for those who their lifestyle is affecting, continue to do so at an unprecedented rate.
We live on a planet which, by our own doing, has become entirely monetarily based. Those with the money control the earth and the flow of her resources to the detriment of the poor and the struggling.

The decrease in world food stores is but one small aspect of animal product consumption and how it is affecting the poverty stricken of the world.

We are all aware that fresh, clean water is at a crucial shortage world-wide at this point in time, and once again, animal production is a major cause.
In developing countries, one of the most crucial needs is fresh water; water which has been there for as old as mankind himself, is no longer there.
Rivers and lakes have disappeared, leaving the inhabitants of the lands destitute and without the most basic needs of life itself, water.

In razing forests for meat and dairy production throughout both developed and undeveloped countries, soils have been eroded and vast deserts have resulted. These lands are no longer able to produce food and the cycles of nature have been totally obliterated.

We have none other than our own heavily laden tables to thank for this. Every pound of animal flesh requires 16 pounds of grain to be produced.
How many people could be fed with the 4 pounds of grain it takes to produce a single quarter-pound beef burger?

We have choices.
Refusing to change our lifestyles is nothing short of living without conscience and maintaining a false belief that we have more right to the earth's resources than our neighbours in the 34 countries of our globe who are currently facing critical food shortages.

The next time you visit the supermarket, or go out to your favourite restaurant, stop and consider the impact of your choices.
Putting an end to the impoverishment of the earth and it's people starts no further than what you are putting into yours and your family's mouths.

Our daily choices bring upon each one of us a share in the suffering of the hundreds of thousands of people who die yearly of hunger and hunger related diseases.

Only you, the individual, can begin to bring about the changes that are necessary to bring our planet to one of peace, sustainability and 'enough' for all.

~Jo

"88 Ways To Do Something About Poverty Right Now"

Books, Money and Influence~Spreading the Word on Three Magnificent Give-aways...You Can Help Too!

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:36:24 -0500

Sometimes we come across a way to make a difference in the world just by sharing
knowledge. It doesn't happen that often, and rarely does it happen twice in just as
many days.

Seth Godin and Megan Casey, founding members of Squidoo, have announced

The $80,000 Squidoo Charity Giveaway !

Hoping to give away $80,000 to charity by October 15th, Squidoo has chosen a
wide list of charities that you may vote on and each vote will give that particular
charity $2.00.
It only takes a few minutes of your time and one little click to help make a difference so please visit the link above today and cast your vote.

How much have books influenced your life? Do you remember one particular book that you read as a teenager that somehow helped to illuminate the path for you?

The Success Foundation is giving away 5 million copies of it's book, Success for Teens,
to organizations and individuals for distribution to teenagers and you can help facilitate this.

Visit The Success Foundation to learn more about this widereaching initiative that has the potential to help millions of young people on their road to a successful and happy life and could benefit the entire globe in years to come.

We as REALTOR®s have a temendous opportunity via our sphere of influence to distribute this book to the families we know who have children and teenagers, as well as getting the word out to youth organizations in our areas.

On a last note, please don't forget about this years Blog Action Day which falls on October 15th.
This year's subject is POVERTY and with our widespread voices and blogs, we have the ability to make a great difference the world over.

Here at Active Rain we have a group for Blog Action Day 2008, where all posts relating to Blog Action Day 2008 are welcome and encouraged to be posted. Register your blog and your voice today!

~Jo

Seeing Warning Signs Along a Path and Altering Our Course; Or Not.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:45:31 -0500

'When you're in a hole, don't dig it deeper.'
How many of us are well aware of that saying and yet, when the universe is screaming at us in every way it can to notify us we're on the wrong path, we continue down it anyways?

I know I've been guilty of doing this exact thing many times in my life and it's usually been because I didn't want to face realty.
The image that I had painted of the situation in my mind's eye or that someone else had painted for me, was far more appealing than the cold hard facts that were staring me in the face, and so I chose to continue to dig the hole deeper all the time convincing myself that the hole was only a figment of my imagination.

I've gone down many wrong roads because of this way of thinking, and when I reflect back, it usually came down to a failure to acknowledge the warnings the universe was setting out in front of me.

In the end, I not only ended up hurting myself, I ended up indirectly hurting others as well.
All of this could have been avoided had I been willing to not only listen to the various warning messages, but also been willing to heed them.

I read an interesting quote today, and as I reflected on it first thing this morning, it struck me as how true this really is.

"We are given the gift of sight to test us as to whether or not we have the wisdom to rise above that which we observe."~James Arthur Ray

Think about that. Really think about it.
I interpret this 'gift of sight' to be not only our physical eyes, but also our intuition, gut instinct and reasoning powers.

How often do we receive a loud message via one of those 'gifts of sight' and yet choose to ignore it or pretend we didn't see it? This can apply to anything in life that affects us or those around us in any way.

We see or sense or reason something wrong is happening, and yet we choose to turn the other way rather than doing something about it. In the end, more people or we ourselves, are further damaged or affected negatively by the thing that is wrong.

What if the universe has put the true sight of a particular situation in our path for a reason? What if we're the only one to have been shown the 'truth' and yet we've chosen to ignore it or disregard it as something that we're not willing to get involved with?

What are the repercussions down the road for ourselves and others? Are we then just as guilty for allowing this thing to go on without taking a stand against it or without altering the course of our own actions even though we've been given a warning?

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario (soon to be the Burlington/Oakville area of Ontario) and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com

Are You Easy to 'Tame' in the Eyes of the Public? Lessons From Foxes, Cormorants and Water.

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:55:00 -0500

Remember the AIDA principle?
AIDA is an acronym which stands for 'attention, interest, desire, action'.

It was coined by E.K. Strong in an article he wrote in 1925 called "Theories of Selling"~ Journal of Applied Psychology.

Although AIDA was defined in 1925, it's premises hold as true today as they did back then.

We have but split seconds to capture someone's attention and establish a further connnection to them. This is what we should be aiming for in all of our marketing and in the way we carry ourselves in our day to day interactions with those around us.

Oftentimes that tiny different thing about us that stands out above the rest, is enough to set the ball in motion and can be the difference between success and failure.

We read and hear so much about branding these days, and yet, how many of us really even know what it is about us that is unique and different?

Have we asked our peers, our family and our friends?
Have we done a self-assessment to see just what it is about us that others notice and remember? We just may end up very surprised.

The past few years, numerous people, without my asking, have mentioned my gentle and unassuming ways as being something they most notice about me.

Pondering on this, I realized that a person does not have to be loud or extraverted or pushy to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes being gentle and softspoken or caring leaves just as strong of an impression on people.

Those qualities or attributes that we find others often mentioning about us, are the ones we need to capitalize on and market.

They point the way to our brand and our uniqueness. That which is noticed by others is our trademark and should be honed to a fine degree and capitalized on through our marketing.

When you are comfortable in your own skin, you carry yourself with a greater degree of confidence and inner strength which those around you will be drawn to.

Just like in the old story, don't strive to be a duck, if you've been born a swan, even if you are in the midst of thousands of ducks and no other swan in sight.

You will never be a duck, and once you accept that and focus on who you are and the benefits of being you, the way will be revealed to you and you will travel down the path with greater ease and success.

In 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint Exupery, the little prince meets up with a fox who teaches him how 'establishing ties' with someone or something, can make that someone or something special so that it will stand out amongst thousands of others just like it, because of the special connection between the two of you.
The fox calls this 'taming' someone or something.

For instance, I have a beautiful sugar maple tree outside my window that to the casual observer looks just like hundreds of other sugar maples in my city, however to me it is special.

I would recognize this maple tree anywhere because I have observed the many changes it has gone through as it has grown and with the changing seasons.

I've taken note of the special place on it's trunk where it bears a small scar on it's bark from a vehicle that once hit it and I've observed it's rustling branches a thousand times or more.

To me, this maple tree is very special and I often call it 'my' maple tree, since it shades my west facing windows from the hot afternoon sun.

So it is with the people around us who we have special relationships or ties with.
We see their unique beauty and specialness, because they are 'tame' to us and we have established special ties to them.

If you wish to be remembered by people who meet you or come across your website or blog, you must stand out in some special way to get them to pause. Once you've captured their attention, hold onto it.

The tiniest fractions of what sets us apart from others are often the determiners of how well we will be remembered by those who come across us personally, or through a marketing venue.
Never doubt for a moment that you are unique in very special ways that no one else is and this tiny bit of uniqueness, will help you succeed in all you undertake.

This principle is beautifully illustrated, using water, in Sam Parker's highly inspirational film 212 The Extra Degree Movie.
For an uplifting start (or finish) to your day, be sure to watch this short film.

(Update: Sam emailed me today~Sept 22/08~ and in his email he mentioned that he now has a newer version of the video available.
It's faster moving and I really enjoyed watching it, even moreso than the first!! Sam also mentioned that this newer version is 212 seconds long, completely by accident!
I think the universe is trying to tell us something here.

BTW, Sam Parker is a very commendable guy and all business owners, leaders of any organizations and heads of households should be sure to check out his 212° The Extra Degree program and book. Magnificent and amazing...with great results when applied to all things in life.
Thanks Sam!)

I think about a lot of things and this thinking goes on constantly, even when I'm sleeping.
Many people have told me that I think 'too much'.
Possibly, however the way my brain works, I really don't have a concept of 'thinking too much', because it is who I am.

One of the things I think about, quite a bit actually, is cormorants. This may be because I'm a zoologist, or it may be because I believe the greatest lessons in life are to be found by observing the natural world that surrounds us.

Cormorants, for those who aren't familiar with them, are a fairly large dark bird found in many areas of the world near water bodies. They are divers who live on fish.

In the Quinte region, cormorants are very common.
In fact, they are so common, that a few years ago at Presqui'le, there was a controlled kill (an oxymoron, if I've ever heard one) of cormorants as the commercial fishermen were complaining that the cormorants were too numerous and were taking too many of 'their' fish.
I still haven't quite figured out why it is that humans figure everything put here on earth has been put here exclusively for their use, but that's a post for another day.

Getting back to cormorants, they are odd looking birds. Their dark and craggy appearance gives them an ominous look and they certainly aren't one of the prettiest birds out there.

They are usually found in groups sitting on breakwalls and rocks surrounded by water.
One cormorant looks pretty much like the next; at least that's what I've always observed until I came across this guy a few weeks ago.

He stood out from all of the other birds who were lounging on the rocks that day and because of this, I snapped his picture.

He is now one of the better known cormorants in the entire Quinte region, perhaps in the entire world.

Were this cormorant to have a name and a business card, just imagine how successful he would be by recognition alone!

I watched him for a long time, and noticed he didn't bother to fold his wings back in like the others during the time period I was there.
For whatever reason he was holding his wings out this way, he managed to create a lasting impression on me and using the fox's analogy in The Little Prince, this cormorant is now 'tame' to me.

His 'extra degree' of uniqueness caused him to stand out amongst scores of other cormorants that day, and his image to be burned in the mind's eye of the hundreds of humans who read this blog.

Being noticed and remembered is the goal of all marketing, no matter the venue.

The basic principles of marketing and branding are older than mankind himself and those who pause to observe the elements of nature will find a rich source of ideas that, when applied to their own business branding and marketing, will help them to achieve their goals to a remarkable degree.

Photos in this article are the Copyright of JoSmith and may be used with her permission.

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group-Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, in Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.Oakville-BurlingtonHomes.com

The Universe Wants You to Live a Life of Abundance

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:59:04 -0500

A better life begins with one step; letting go of negative thinking patterns and stepping into a zone of abundance where everything you wish to be or have comes effortlessly to you.
This is how the universe wants you to live.

Life was never meant to be difficult or lacking joy. Life, your life, and the lives of those around you, is meant to be a thing of joy, beauty and abundance.
You are here to be happy.

Daily, there are things which weigh us down and bring us into an energy field where abundance fails to flow, if we let it.
Do you ever wonder why some days things seem to go wrong right from the moment you get out of bed?

Other days you feel great and wonderful things seem to happen to you all day long. Is this just co-incidence, or is something else happening here?

What do you believe about yourself as a 'being'?
Do you believe you're a physical being in a physical world, or do you believe that you're a metaphysical being in a metaphysical world?
Have you noticed that when you're feeling great and of a happy state of mind, great things seem to follow you around? Have you thought about how this works?

We live in a world that is projected from within our own selves. What you see on the outside, is how you feel on the inside.
You have the ability to place yourself, daily, in the field of energy of your choice.
Think of it as layers, only these layers are all similar at first glance. The people and places are the same in each field, however once you enter a specific field and begin to interact in it, you realize there are intrinsic differences within each field that you choose on a daily basis.

Choosing the positive field, which you choose by utilizing your emotional state for the day, you find people smile at you and things seem to flow effortlessly along.
Wonderful things happen to you and you feel as though you are floating on air.

Choosing the negative field has the opposite effect and you notice people are critical or grumpy. Things seem to go wrong all over the place in the negative field, and they drag you further down.

Did you realize you have the ability to paint the day or life you will have by choosing the emotions and thoughts you hold within your being? Are we living in parallel worlds that all appear the same on the surface? Or do we create our conscious world every morning when we wake up?

Learning to live a life of abundance is not an easy thing and I won't begin to pretend that it is.
It entails a lot of commitment and work on a daily basis with respect to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.

Just this morning I was talking to two of my peers at our office meeting and in reply to one of my friends talking about the housework he had done over the weekend and how much he really dislikes doing it, I responded,
'Yep. It's a lot of work being a human. Not only do we have to take care of our own beings, we also have to take care of the environments that our beings spend regular time in.'

When we think about this, we begin to realize that we are not just creatures that exist within ourselves.
We are dependent on immediate and extended environments for our well-being to a very high degree.
In knowing this, there are a number of things we can do to ensure that we live the most abundant and happiest life possible.

Limit our time around negative or critical people.
If someone we love is often critical or negative, perhaps we could point this out to them and let them know the effect their negativity or critical behaviour has on us and others around them, as well as within their own bodies.
Enjoy the natural world as much as possible.
Get out in the sunshine (use at least a bit of sunscreen, but not too much. Sun is actually good for you.) around trees, water and wildlife.
Spend part of every day moving your body on an extended basis.
This could be walking, bicycling, swimming, dancing, housecleaning, gardening, shopping, or any number of other activities that require you to move more body parts than just your fingers and eyes.
Limit the amount of animal products that you intake and increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains that you eat.
Meat takes a total of three days to work itself through your system and in the process slows down all bodily functions. Plant products are more easily digested and less of their byproducts remain in your arteries and veins. In fact, plants can help with the daily housekeeping of your body and subsequently your mind.
Take time each day for silence.
A few moments every day spent in prayer or talking with the universe goes a long way towards keeping your spirit, soul and mind relaxed and at ease with the life you are living. It also brings you guidance and reduces your stress level.
Make sure you're getting an adequate amount of water daily.
A lack of sufficient clean, fresh water not only stops your body from performing it's functions properly, it can also cause depression.
Have your blood checked regularly to make sure you are not deficient in any of the major vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function at it's optimum.
In particular, make sure you have sufficient B12 and Iron, both of which a lack of can bring about depression, poor memory and a poor ability to deal with the daily stresses that life brings.
Get adequate sleep in a dark and peaceful place.
Sleep is extremely important for the rejuvenation of our bodies and brains. Without adequate deep sleep, our memory and problem solving skills are reduced drastically and small things will irritate us bringing about stress hormones that tax our system.
Socialize with and love the people around you.
We are social beings and even if we are introverts, we still require to have daily healthy exchanges with people around us. Similarly, love is very important. If you find you are alone most of the time, learn how to make changes in your life so that you may once again have a life filled with friends and perhaps a close partner. Human beings thrive on physical touch and having close physical and emotional relationships with people we love and trust, increases our longevity, health and happiness greatly.
Each day remember the things you have in your life to be thankful for.
Having a gratefulness list is an excellent way to remind yourself of just how good things really are, particularly during times when something has gone wrong or you're feeling down.
Make an effort to forgive those from your past who have wronged you.
Forgiveness frees you and allows you to move forward in a positive way.
Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel comfortable and happy.
These may be children, family, friends, pets, gardens, soft clothes, nice scents, beautiful views or music that touches our souls.
Spend a part of each day doing that thing that the universe has called you to do.
You will know what that thing is, for it is the thing that makes you feel the most right, the most balanced and where time seems to flow effortlessly along and the world feels totally right. For some it may be painting beautiful pictures, for others it may be singing or writing and for others it may be helping those less fortunate.

The universe has given each of us a special song that our soul is here to sing, and bringing our part to the world, benefits the entire symphony.
Once we find our song,it is important, not only for ourselves, but for all of those around us and the earth itself, that we do what we have been called here to do.
Smile as often and at as many people as possible.
A simple smile will bring a feeling of wellness and joy to those who you give it to and at the same time boost the good chemicals within your body and brain.

Living a life of abundance is possible for all of us; it's just a matter of remembering why we are here.
We are here to enjoy life and to help as many people around us enjoy life also.

As my Grandmother always said 'Give to the world the best you have, and the world, in turn, will give it's best back to you.'

Photos in this article are the Copyright of JoSmith and may be used with her permission.

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com

So, You've Reached an Impasse! What to Do-In Life and In Business

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:36:27 -0500

In life, sometimes we reach a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that is blocking our path towards what we want.
Sometimes there are so many obstacles that we don't know which one to tackle first.

Oftentimes, when feeling overwhelmed with the obstacles that surround us in every direction, we reach an impasse within ourselves. We call this 'between a rock and a hard place'.

During these times in our lives, we are often afraid to make a move, for fear of making the wrong one. There is one certainty though, if we don't make a move, life will definitely make a move for us.
Life is not a chess game, and the only stalemate we ever reach in life, is at the moment when we pass from our earthly existence.

It is during these seeming impasses that come our way in life, when we are forced to make a move, that what we are made of is tested.
At these places on the path, where it seems impossible to make a move, we have no choice but to make a move. So how do we know which one to make?
Where does our guidance come from when we've explored all of the possibilities and none of them seem to fit?
What do we do?

We wait.
We give it a tiny bit of time.
Oftentimes a door will open suddenly in a place we never expected it to, right when we are at the very end of our rope and feeling that this fugue state will go on forever.
Sometimes, the universe will show us a new path, a new route that we just weren't able to see before and sometimes this new path is so filled with light and ease of traveling, that we are overcome with amazement at how the universe works.

It is during these times of being in limbo that our faith is tested the most.
Our faith in ourselves, our faith in a loving universe, our faith that all things work out towards the good in the end. How do we reach this place of discovery sooner, rather than later?

We renew our communication with a loving universe.
We open up those communication channels we have with the intelligent life force that surrounds us and is within us. We speak to that intelligent life force, whoever or whatever we deem that life force to be.

We go to places that are uncomplicated and listen for answers.
Sometimes they are beaches where waves quietly lap the shores and gulls cry out in the damp afternoon air. Sometimes they are shady paths through ancient cedar woods where the steady drilling of a woodpecker reminds us that there is a consistency and pattern to life, and that we are not left out of it.
Sometimes they are quiet garden benches in parks where bees and butterflies go about their work of gathering the offerings of flowers.
If we search within ourselves, we always know where the right place is for us.

We take repose from the thinking and the analyzing and the questioning that the impasse has thrust upon us. We put aside the various facts and accept that no matter how hard we labour with the questions, we won't yet come up with the answers, for we haven't yet been given all of the pieces of the puzzle.

We trust ourselves and learn to be ok with settling gently into the impasse, but only for the time being.
We trust that this is exactly where we need to be, at this moment in time, and that soon more of the picture will be revealed to us, and we will be lifted gently up and a lamp will appear, showing us the way once more.

Photos in this article are the Copyright of JoSmith and may be used with her permission.

Opportunities Often Come Disguised as Problems-Raising Your Success IQ

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:47:37 -0500

Have you ever wondered why, as we journey through the days of our lives, we continually encounter difficulties and problems that need to be solved?
Have you ever thought that these problems only happen to you, or seem to happen to you more often?

Some days I think that way.
It seems like everything is going along smoothly, then suddenly one of my sons will call with an issue he is facing or a business transaction I'm working on will suddenly stall as an unforeseen problem arises.
Sometimes it seems like an entire day can be a series of one small mishap after another, starting first thing in the morning.

I see each problem as an opportunity for self-growth, and when I reflect upon my past, I realize it is the difficulties I've faced that have given me many of the skills I use today when facing both business related and personal dilemmas.

Faced with an issue of any kind, I find myself reaching back into my realm of experiences and the knowledge I attained through those experiences to pass seamlessly through the new issue.

When I read the biographies of some of the most successful and accomplished people the earth has known, their lives are repleat with one difficulty after another on their road to success. Upon further study of these individuals, I see a consistent pattern in the way they handled the problems they faced.

They never take their problems personally.
These people were wise enough to realize that problems occur on a consistent basis to everyone and it is how a person handles a problem that determines how successful they will be.
Successful people face problems dead on.
They tackle them with humility, honesty and acceptance.
They separate themselves from the problem and see that there are certain actions that can be taken that will help solve and surpass the problem. They realize that the problem is an external event, having nothing to do with who they themselves are.
They refuse to accept defeat. If one road to solving a problem leads nowhere, they try another one. They keep on trying.
They ask for help.
They recognize that being prideful will stop a person from seeking the expertise of someone who has gone down this road before and would be willing to guide them, if they ask with an open heart and mind.
The majority of people around us love to pass on their experiences and knowledge to help out a fellow traveller on life's road. Remember John Donne's saying 'No man is an island, entire to himself'.
They recognize that they are only human and may make more mistakes while trying to solve the problem.
When they fall down, they get back up and continue on.
If they do happen to make a mistake while attempting to solve the problem, they are not harsh with themselves. Sometimes they openly laugh at their own mistakes and often they forgive themselves for being human afterall.
They don't let the opinions of other people paint the picture of who they themselves are. Conversely,they cultivate strong intrapersonal skills and are their own strongest supporter.

They recognize that the judgements of other people are 99.9 % about those people themselves and have nothing to do with who or what they are judging.
They are quick to make decisions and seize upon an opportunity when they come across it. Once they've made a decision, they persist until they've reached their goal.
The biggest roadblock to success is not deciding what you really want. Once you've decided, commit it to paper.
In addition, although they recognize that they are only human, they never lose sight of the fact that as humans, we were given a great many tools and gifts that are available to us should we wish to use them in helping to solve any problem we may face.

Amongst these are:

Intuition
An interactive universe that responds when we open ourselves to the greater life force that surrounds and is within us.
An amazing subconscious mind that will go to work solving our problems for us while we sleep.
Wondering how to put your subconscious mind to work?
Books and internet sources that may provide the answers we are seeking.
Family and friends who may have passed down this road before us and are always willing to lend a loving ear and advice.
Last, but not least, people from all walks of life, who although we may not know them, have been through what we are facing and if we approach them, they will provide assistance to us as we seek an answer to our problem.

Napoleon Hill, one of history's greatest thinkers and wisest men, had a great deal to say about success and has helped millions of people the world over.
For a sampling of Napoleon's wisdom and to renew your well of motivation, watch the video below.

Never doubt that all of the tools you require to achieve absolutely anything you wish to achieve in life are close at hand, and are free to those who have determined what it is they REALLY want out of life.

©2008JoSmith
Photographs in this article are the Copyright of JoSmith and may be used with her permission.

A Sailing Trip to Toronto Island and Harbourfront

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:32:47 -0500

I recently came across a very interesting book called '1000 Places to See Before You Die' by Patricia Schultz and although I'm not sure whether or not Toronto Island made her list, it certainly should be there.

In early August a friend and I decided to sail over to Toronto Island and spend a few days exploring. Although I've lived in Ontario for most of my life and have visited Toronto many times, I had never been to Toronto Island before and now, after our recent visit there, I see that I've been missing out on one of our provinces most intriguing places.

While moored at Toronto Island, we were in awe of the fact that downtown Toronto was so close, and yet we felt as though we were on a distant island paradise of forests, beaches and trails.

Toronto Island has an intriguing history extending back to the days when aboriginal people called it home. They saw it as a place of great spiritual mystery and magic and often took vacations there from the mainland.

Over the years Toronto Island became the playground of the wealthy and eventually the City of Toronto began to develop it into a place that preserved the natural beauty while still providing features that appealed to all ages and income levels.

Today thousands of people from all over the world take a ferry over to the island and spend the day exploring the many trails, attractions and beaches.

It's one of the few places in Ontario where an official 'clothing optional' beach can be found and even though the day we visited was windy and cool, some visitors there were oblivious to the weather as they bared their all to the elements.

During our stay there we took the Hanlan Point ferry over to the mainland and did some exploring of Queen's Quay in downtown Toronto.
The South-east Asia festival was on and we were treated to a show by colourful and talented Tibetan dancers.

Taking cover from a storm, we came across a cosy auditorium where East Indian food was being prepared by a master chef and as curry and rice scents drifted through the air, I couldn't help but be enamoured at the wide variety of visitors from so many different cultures and backgrounds.

I truly love it in that area of Toronto. The energy level is amazing and everyone is friendly.

Again, there is so much to see and explore, you would need to spend many days there to see it all.

As soon as there was a break in the weather, we headed for the ferry that would take us back home to the island.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend the day and we arrived back at the boat just in time to miss a major downpour.

The evening saw a clearing in the skies and a great peace took over the Toronto harbour and the island inlet where we were moored.

I can't even begin to describe the magical feeling I felt as I gazed across the water to the lights of the beautiful Toronto skyline.

Tourboats run day and evening from the Toronto harbour and in and around the many inlets of the island, offering tourists a comfortable and exciting way to see the island for themselves.

We were only moored at the island for two nights and did not have enough time to explore all the places that I wanted to see and the weather was touch and go with many thunderstorms and downpours during our stay.

I've made a vow to myself to visit again, soon, and this time explore more completely since the little that I saw was very beautiful and intriguing.
As you can see from the following slide show, an abundance of new experiences awaits you when you come to the Toronto waterfront.

I know it would take many visits there to see everything and I've put this on my list of the thousand places I want to see 'again', before I leave this fragile blue planet we call home.

Lion's Park on the Moira River- Station Street-Belleville-Ontario

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:01:11 -0500

The Lion's Park on Station Street in Belleville, Ontario is testament to how well nature and mankind can work together to create a place of halcyon peace and beauty.
It encompasses part of the Riverfront Trail and a visit there will stimulate so many of your senses, you'll want to visit again and again.

The park has a different and more lush feel this year

than last, due to the immense amount of rain we've been experiencing this summer.
This year, unlike last, the river is rushing rapidly downstream.
Last year many sections were completely dry.

To see the difference between last year and this, make sure and view the pictures at the bottom of this post which show the same view of the Moira River taken in August '07 and August '08.

Poet Hannah Moore once wrote "all the peace which springs, from the large aggregate of little things" and nothing is a more fitting description of Belleville's beautiful Lion's Park which rests serenely on the shores of the Moira River in Belleville.

The park was built by the Lion's Club of Belleville as a part of the beautification of the Moira River Riverfront Trail that meanders through Belleville.

There are quiet benches hidden in peaceful corners amongst the gardens where a visitor may take in the surrounding beauty while listening to the sounds of the river as it makes it's way towards the Bay of Quinte.

A beautiful pergola is the centrepiece of the park.
Vibrant gardens surrounding it lend privacy and a peaceful feeling to those who stop to rest on one of the strategically placed benches to be found within the courtyard.

Built into the banks of the old Moira River, the site lends itself to beautiful, terraced, limestone rock gardens and many levels.

Wayne Wallans memorial at Belleville Lion's Park.

The pedestrian bridge connects the south and north sides of the Moira River and is well used by bikers, rollerbladers, walkers and runners.

Fishermen/women also love to try their hand at fishing from the bridge.

The gardens and walkways overflow with a myriad of flowers and beautiful trees to delight your senses.
An Ontario native wildflower, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), is widely known for it's medicinal uses in boosting the immune system.

Colourful Daylillies, one of my favourite perennials for northern gardening, may be found sprinkled here and there amongst the walkway gardens.

A lone Red Hot Poker (Torch Lily) catches the eye in all it's glory.

Stately White Coneflowers lend their unique beauty to the cacaphony of riotous colour.

Pink Hydrangeas quietly ask you to pause for awhile.

Friends take respite from the day on sun-baked limestone in the Moira River.

A waterfront park would not be complete without a gull standing watch over all the comings and goings.

The inner courtyard of the Lion's Park pergola. Pinnacle Street Bridge over the Moira River in the distance.

The Moira River is once again mighty with the abundant rains we've been experiencing this summer. Compare this photo, taken recently (August '08) with the one below taken the same time last year when we were in a drought situation.

The Moira River in August 2007. A lack of rain saw the river almost completely dry up. Quite a difference from the extensive rainfall we've been experiencing in 2008.

The Lion's Park in Belleville can be found by taking the Highway 62 south exit off the trans-Canada (Hwy 401) into Belleville. Travel south along Hwy 62, which is known as North Front Street where it runs through Belleville, and take a left onto Station Street after you go over the Moira River bridge. The Lion's Park can be seen just past Meyer's historic mill on your left.

Enjoy your visit!