The beautiful holiday that celebrates the gift of love on February 14, originated in 270 A.D with  an amazing man named Valentine.

The humble Christian Valentinus lived under the oppressive rule of  Roman Emperor Claudius II. Claudis had ordered all Romans to worship state idols, and ordered death to those who even associated with Christians. 

Undeterred, Valentinus stayed steadfast to the ideals of Christ. 

One  day a jailer for the Emperor of Rome brought his blind daughter to Valentinus for healing. She had been blind since birth and the father had learned of Valentinus's medical and spiritual healing abilities.

Knowing the girl's  condition would be difficult to treat, Valentinus gave the man his word he would do his best. The girl was examined, given ointment for her eyes and  re-visits were scheduled.

The jailer asked Julia, might also be brought to Valentinus for lessons, as he discovered what knowledge Valentinus possessed.

Julia learned quickly as Valentinus read  her stories of Rome's history.  He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about GOD. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does GOD really hear our prayers?" Julia said one day. "Yes, my child, He hears each one, "he replied.

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"GOD does what is best for us if we believe," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely. "I do." She knelt and grasped his hand. They sat quietly together, each praying.

As weeks passed and the girl's sight was not restored. Yet the man and his daughter never wavered in their faith and returned regularly.

One day, Roman soldiers arrested Valentinus, destroyed his medicines and imprisoned him for his religious beliefs. When Julia's  father learned of his arrest  he tried to intervene but there was nothing he could do.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia . He  asked the jailer for a paper, pen and ink. He quickly jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer to give to his blind daughter.

He urged her to stay close to GOD, and he signed it "From Your Valentine."

 His death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory.

When the jailer went home, he was greeted by his little girl. The little girl opened the note and discovered a yellow crocus inside. The message said, "From your Valentine." As the little girl looked down upon the crocus that spilled into her palm she saw brilliant colors for the first time in her life! The girl's eyesight was restored!

He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.

 Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. In 496 Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day. On each Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are still exchanged around the world.

Regardless of how love is showing up in your life right now, this is a beautiful time to let your Divine Love shine and be in the spirit of love. You are an expression of divine love in action, and the more you give love, the more you will receive.

janice.roosevelt@gmail.com

adapted from spiritual arts, Barbara Martin

With only 21 homes in the  North Hills neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware, it's no wonder these homes are sought-after. Location reigns as the community is surrounded by 463 acres of parkland. You can walk to Bellevue State Park and Rockwood. Minutes to I95, Wilmington and convenient to Philadelphia airport.

609 Brighton Road is a classic  3 b 1.1. stone Colonial with lovely 3-season sunroom - pristine and beautifully maintained

Come out this Sunday, Feburary 19, 1-3 p.m to fully appreciate the amenities of this lovely home, from deep marble window sills to hardwood floors to classic black and white tile bathroom floors.   janice.roosevelt@gmail.com

A  recent daily message I receive has me thinking about "helping others." It's certainly what we do in real estate, helping people buy and sell homes, investment properties, and vacation real estate.

In this shifted market, sellers have had to come to the realization that prices just are what they were or hope. There's a process in accepting that and it's been one of the new skills realtors have developed, at least those still in the business. The skill of working as a trusted advisor in this capacity.

When you  feeling discomfort from seeing other people in needy situation - like they need to downsize or change   because  first floor  livng makes more sense, or they bought at the height of the market and their financial situation has changed, it can be too easy to  decide to help them from your place of discomfort - maybe, even tell the house is worth more than it is. Some realtors have done that just to "buy the listing." Listen to that, sellers, because some realtors do that.

When that happens, no lasting value ever occurs. Inevitably a price reduction and long market time are ahead, and then trust erodes.

To be a successful listing agent, you need to align yourself with what you really believe is the best price and focus on the  client's success a.k.a. their next move.

I know from experience.  When you focus on the "problems" that's what you get, more "problems,"  When you zero in on  the solution  i it's best for everyone.

Realtors provide tremendous services to others - so often  in ways well beyond selling the house.  When your attention is on the win-win the infinite resources of the Universe are at your disposal. And that does help.

janice.roosevelt@gmail.com

If you love ANTHROPOLIGE and TERRAIN AT STYERS, but want things a bigt more affordable, check out the newly-opened DECORATUS CURIOUS which just opened inside the new Bikram Studio on Route 202 in West chester, Sara Ford Cocco has worked sheer magic in transforming the cavernous mall store front into something truly and uniquely wonderful. janice.roosevelt@gmail.com

Check it out on Facebook and  here are a few inspirations

Lou Ludwigs daily motivational messages are always so powerful. Its often serendipitous when I read them. Today's quote from the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela on imagination is no different. I try to "imagine" him sitting in a jail cell for so many years- creating positive visions for when he would be released.

With great enthusiasm, I have "come home" to the Susan Manners Team, affiliated with Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, Chadds Ford, PA . It's where I got my start more than a decade ago and Susan was my mentor.

I was blessed to have a great year in 2011, when many realtors dropped out of the business,  and closed a record number of transactions.

The move to Pensylvania and Delaware's top-ranked real estate team -  where emphasis is placed on caring, quality real estate service and business  is generated primarily through referrals from satisfied clients took me by surprise.

It has has renewed my commitment to helping others realize dreams of owning their first home, downsizing or rightsizing, or investing in something for the future.

Susan Manners reputation in the marketplace and within the real estate community, and her flat-out, genuine niceness mean that each and every client is given unparalleled service.

In an era where “fall-through deals” have become common place, where buyers and sellers can be more than a bit uneasy, Susan's team did not have one transaction fall through in 201,1 and   did record volume, thanks to efforts of Stephanie Moran, Meala Duckworth and Mark Tucker 

Susan was recently elected to the Board of Directors atSuburban West Realtors Association, and honored with the coveted “Legend” award among PFR Affliates

When someone this awesome asks you to join ranks, would you say no?

Susan and I both place great emphasis on state-of-the-art marketing across myriad platforms. We are committed to the success of our buyers and sellers ina changing market place. We realize that the “cookie cutter” system may not work for you and that each sale deserves a thoughtful, individualized approach.

We look forward to making your next real estate transaction exceptional! Please call me to sit down and discuss your future plans. 610-764-3062 or email janice.roosevelt@gmail.com

I chuckled to myself when I read Lou Ludwig's motivation power quote and comments on knowing your destination - I focus so much on "being present," that I can lose site of the importance of setting a specific course :) Enjoy!

Directed by Ken Kwapis , Big Miracle, a rescue adventure involving a family of three gigantic gray whales trapped in quickly freezing ice the near  the small Alaskan town, Barrow warms the cockles of your heart.

 It also made me grateful I don’t live anywhere near the Arctic Circle and we’ve had a  mild winter.

Based on a true story that mesmerized the world, eventually, it brings together  a Green Peace Activist sweetheart (Drew Barrymore) and a small town news reporter (John Krasinski), as well as the a major oil company,  Coast Guard, White House,  the former Soviet  Union’s Navy, and local Inuit peoples.

Without sentimentality and with quirky humor, it delivers the message that human compassion for the struggles and vulnerability of other species-- so like our own--, can triumph over personal agendas, whether lining the pockets of a wealthy oil company, the stomachs of a local village or the voter base of a political party.  Great Family pic! jroosevelt@kw.com

Lou Ludwig alwas has great advice and none more importnat than this message about taking care of your body and mind so it takes care of you. Enjoy jroosevelt@kw.com