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Every Storm Has a Silver Lining

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

Silver Linings - Mel PetersonI've had one my entire life.  I've carried it around, I've protected it, and I've whipped it out on occasion in harried situations.  What is it?  It's my Silver Lining Playbook... that inner voice that pushes me onward and upward in the midst of life's chaotic storms... Excelsior! 

If you haven't seen the movie, Silver Linings Playbook, I highly recommend it.  It's filled with raw human emotion, combined with a ton of neurosis, and a love story to boot.  So many of us keep our neurotic thoughts tightly woven and neatly under wraps... but this film let's you see them up close and personal, letting them all hang out.  For some, it may be offensive... for others, it may hit home, and for the rest of us... it's simply raw and real.

What lies beneath the surface for most of us is that raw edgy emotion that's just waiting for an opportune moment to explode.  Like... when you're stuck in traffic and some nut cuts you off (do you blow your horn or flip him the bird?).  Or your nagging significant other calls you 5 times a day to remind you to do something (do you avoid their calls?).  Or your control freak boss demands to know your every move, even when you're visiting the John (do you passify him/her with white lies?).  You know the players, and you know how their neurotic behavior sometimes lights a raging inferno under your buns.

Life never goes according to plan.  So... how do you respond to stressful situations without losing your cool and behaving like a loon?  In the film, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) loses everything - his house, his job, his wife, and even his mind.  He receives some wise advice from his psychiatrist who suggests he develop a strategy for dealing with life's blows.  It's sage advice that many of us could use.  Instead we succumb to embarrassing pop offs and middle finger episodes (perhaps you've only whispered such things in your quiet voice). 

Whether you're  bi-polar or feeling polarized... anyone can adopt a strategy.  The film suggests a one-word reminder for maintaining control... Excelsior (which means ever upward).  Incidentally, the word is also the official motto adopted by the state of New York in 1778.  The moral of the story is... don't wait for negativity to encroach on your space and push you to epic madness.  Murphy's Law... it can, and it will.  Have a strategy in place and memorize it like a playbook.  It'll help you to stay on track in the midst of a storm and remind you to remain calm.  What's your Strat Plan?  

Every Storm Has a Silver Lining ~ Mel Peterson

Posted by

Mel Peterson

 Melinda Peterson, ABR, CRS

 Oregon Principal Broker

 Real Estate Cafe LLC

 541-659-1620

 TheOregonDream.com

 

 

Discover Central and Southern Oregon 

Comments (23)

Kim Logan
KELLER WILLIAMS LAKE OCONEE - Greensboro, GA
Kim Logan - Keller Williams Lake Oconee Realty

Thanks for sharing your perspective!  You wrote an inspiring blog....I haven't seen the movie yet, but hope to soon.....

Feb 04, 2013 09:16 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Mel

Thanks for sharing your thoughts . . . . life is not a straight road . . . . it a life of adapting and adjusting to get to our destination.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Feb 04, 2013 09:17 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Thanks a bunch Pat!  It's always good to have a plan ;-)

There are many emotions that stir us... Sharon, but anger seems to be the one that wreaks the most damage.  Finding a positive way to let go of negative emotions is where the playbook can come in handy.  Then again... sometimes the bird speaks volumes ;-) 

Well... thank you kindly Jon!  Rock on and heck yes with your good self too ;-)

Feb 04, 2013 09:21 AM
Paula Bradfield
Bradfield Ramsey Group - Salida, CO
Your Salida Colorado area Realtor Team

Mel.... soooo lovely. I will look for the movie in theatres near me. Anger is not my emotion but fear. Whatever the emotion, we need to let go and move through, right?

Feb 04, 2013 10:40 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

strat plan is to not let life take me down, but to let me be in control of my world and how to react.  we lost our oldest son of 24 last year and it was devastating (still is) but we move on as that is what he would have wanted us to do and our lives as a continuing family need and have to move on.  we will remember and still enjoy having lives worth living.

Feb 04, 2013 10:50 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

It's a great movie Kim... keeps you wondering the entire time... kinda like life ;-)

Adapting and adjusting... that's something I know a lot about... Lou!

Mine either... Paula!  Fear is just as powerful of an emotion as anger... and it makes us do crazy things sometimes.  Definitely see the movie, it will make you laugh!

Oh Mark... I'm so sorry to hear that... I had no idea!  I can't imagine the pain and agony you and your family had to feel... and are continuing to feel as you grapple with such a huge loss.  I'm certain that every day must be a challenge to cope.  Thank you for being brave enough to share your personal storm here... as well as your strat plan for getting through each day.  Many blessings to you kiddo, and I'm sending heartfelt {{{hugs}}} to your entire family.

Feb 04, 2013 11:00 AM
Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage
Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL
Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

Mel,

I just took my first Activity Vector Analysis (AVA) for work and it is designed to measure 4 areas of personality and a 5th area that is commonly referred to your FILTER.

The areas are on a scale of 1 to 9.

My filter rating was a 9* which is off the charts as indicating I filter everything I say.

When we discussed this, my superiors said that for the few emotions I do let slip out, if that is me FILTERED, they would hate to see what happens if I ever lost control and let the filter off. 

It reminded me of a funny story when I had to have my knee surgery repeated a week apart because my rehab therapist didn't know how to set up a piece of equip properly and caused me to hyperextend my newly repaired knee. 

The Surgeon woke me up laughing after the surgery and said he had to calm down the surgical team and convince them I was harmless as apparently after they put me in happyland with the first round of drugs before knocking me out on the table I was letting everyone know how i really felt about the rehab facility, the incompetent tech and I was gonna blow up the hospital and kill the B_____ and many other feelings that I had apparently been filtering before they drugged me and let the filter off.

Feb 04, 2013 11:29 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I am pretty raw with my emotions sometimes and I definately always find the silver lining.  Always.

Feb 04, 2013 11:41 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

I was fixing my dinner and reading your comment from my Magically Delicious iPhone... Kevin.  I LOL when I got to the part about you being doped up and spewing vernaculars... Oh, what lies beneath the surface just waiting to be spewed ;)))

I've never been drunk or stoned in my life... but I've often said, that if I were, you'd probably see a different Mel dancing on table tops and who knows what else.  Thank goodness I keep my playbook with me at all times, as it holds all the silver lining secrets to my soul ;)))  Thanks for sharing your funny story!

Ok... now you have me wondering Tammy... are you flipping the birdie to passer-bys as you jump in your car to show some beautiful lake-front property?  Nah, not you!

Feb 04, 2013 11:56 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Your Blog Post was a breath of fresh air this morning Mel! Now I have to find the movie =]

Feb 04, 2013 09:37 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

OMG love the photo, and always the inspiration Mel I will check out the movie trailer

Feb 05, 2013 09:23 PM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Mel

Many days you are my silver lining. I stop once in awhile when things happen and quite often you have a similar thought to this and it helps. It's a bit like having a caring cousin in life's ups and downs in the Rain. Thanks, it's always appreciated, cheers cvc

Feb 05, 2013 11:42 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Ahhh... thanks Paul ;-)  Now go see the movie... it's very inspirational.

Me too... Charles!  It was the perfect illustration for the movie and the word... Excelsior!  Katie Couric recently did an interview with the Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and the film's Director, David O. Russell... Google it... and go see the movie, it's exceptional on so many levels.

Wow... Curtis, that's a very lovely compliment!  I'm happy to be your 'caring cousin' in the rain... sharing a cup of Joe and our silly thoughts... there's no place like home ;-)  Thank You!

Feb 06, 2013 02:47 AM
Tammy Emineth
Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT
Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

I haven't seen the movie yet but you have given me the inspiration to check it out. I'm usually not a love story kind of gal but I will certainly give it a try. By the way, I love, love, love your picture that you've used in this blog post. I wish I had a print of that.

Feb 06, 2013 06:50 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Oh man, I want to see that movie now. I'm going through a bit of a transition right now - feelling quite neurotic and edgy. Hahaha. Perhaps, I'll get some help from the message. I'm wanting to shout, " Excelsior! "

Feb 07, 2013 01:00 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Mel,

 

Thanks for the inspirational post and the movie suggestion. Life is good – for the most part – but sometimes it is a challenge. How we handle life’s challenges is different for all of us.

 

By the way, here is an AR post that you should read.

Feb 07, 2013 04:13 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Mel

Your welcome and I do mean it, cheers cvc

Feb 08, 2013 03:22 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Not a love story kind of gal... Tammy?!  Well, you'll find lots more to love in this film... it's layered with depth and meaning.  I like the pic too!

You've got me wondering about transition... Debb!  Time for a check-up call my cutie friend ;-)

Tis true... John!  I followed the link... and surprisingly, I haven't received any strange or alarming calls... perhaps everyone knows I'm a pistol packin' Realtor ;-)

Smiles... Curtis!

 

Feb 08, 2013 06:29 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Mel,

I really like how you express yourself and get a point across..I've always wondered what to call that inner voice that pushes me when met with a difficult or chaotic crisis (I've had a few)..now I know that some call it Excelsior!

Feb 08, 2013 07:48 PM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

I haven't seen the movie but sounds like a great story! I like the idea of a playbook, things can/will come up on a daily basis, it's how we handle and respond to them that's important :)

Feb 10, 2013 06:08 AM