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Spring Inspiration and Positive Views: the end to our winter of discontent

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Redwood DC-SP98366576

spring sings I live and work in close proximity to our Nation's Capital. I have experienced three score or more Springs. As April finds her way clear of chilly March winds and shakes of the dusty remnants of a long winter past........the world changes overnight.

Bright blue skies frame delicate cherry blossoms throughout the area. Grey trees erupt in delightful coat of more shades of green than one could imagine. The dank, musty odor of spring shower covered mulch is removed and replaced by the soft scent of hibiscus, hyacinth and delightful aroma of fresh grass.

No one does Spring like Washington.

I have to admit, I am guilty of stopping and pausing throughout the day. I try to stretch my schedule to allow for time to watch birds build new nests. I create "pretend" appointments so that I can sit on the bank of the Potomac and watch people watching people watch people. Those moments give my time to reflect on my life, my family, my friends and my work.

The roller coaster of seasonal change continues. For me, the first stop each year is Spring. All things are new again. Have we really gone through yet another year? For all the dire predictions, I have survived. I chuckle to myself and am reminded of a quote "Of nine troubles coming down the road, nine will never get here."  I don't know who said it. I used to know. It is important to note, I remember the quote, not the author.

As Springs comes in and surrounds me with her passion for new life and new beginnings, I once again welcome every day. I see a endless opportunities to make a difference every day. I have yet another year's knowledge, another year's experience and another year's understanding of the importance of my greatest gift to others.

Compassion. Another season begins and I have a better comprehension of what I truly have to offer in every interaction. I have the chance to counsel and guide people in home buying and selling decisions. I have the chance to share. It does not matter that years from now, they may not remember my name. My hope is that those that buy, will remember the home and those that sell remember the opportunity they had to move on.

Summer will follow Spring and we shall enjoy those lazy, hazy days. Many will pause and enjoy a holiday. It is Spring. It is our time to begin again. It is our time to seize the day. It is our busiest time of the year. If you feel a bit lethargic, take a break, take a walk. It is the time for all of us to renew our efforts to leave the world, our neighborhood and our home in better shape than we found it at Winter's End.

If you have been caught in the paralyzing grip of Winter's bad news; if you have found yourself on the fence, frozen by dire predictions; if you have felt stripped of your comfort zone...it is Spring. It is your time to renew as well. If your plans involve buying or selling a home and you would like a fresh perspective....call me. The MacArthur Group likes to describe our service as "Every Step of the Way". I can't help it, I have to say that Spring puts a cheerful bounce in our step.

If real estate transactions are not in your plans, I heartily recommend that you find a little "me" time and go for a walk, smell a flower or two, take in the beauty and enjoy our Spring. You can join the choir that sings "hallelujah, it is Spring and it is the end to our winter of discontent."

Comments(14)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I love Spring.  It's a renewal time. 

I planted about a dozen tomatoe plants last week but the Deer ate all of them overnight.  So, I planted Basil.  That doesn't appear to be appitizing to the Deer. 

It is to me.

Apr 14, 2008 05:00 AM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes

Lenn - Basil?  Deer, thankfully, don't know what they are missing. Just a pinch turns so many meals into feasts.

Thank you for stopping by. Spring is a wonderful time to pause a share with an old friend. I hope your garden is bountiful and you life is as rich as you have made others.

Apr 14, 2008 05:05 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor
Ah, spring. I visit Washington each Spring so I know what you're talking about. It is magical.
Apr 14, 2008 05:08 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent

Someday, I will see the cherry blossoms.  It sounds beautiful!  Do the cherry blossoms have a scent? 

I like the image of a pretend appointment on the banks of the Potomac.  I think I may have to make an "appointment" at the meadow in our state park.

Apr 14, 2008 05:54 AM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes
Steve - The energy created when tulips reach for the sky is infectious.
Apr 14, 2008 05:58 AM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes

Elaine - Now....if you do happen to show up..you must call. I will gladly share the secret ingredient...pizza from CJ Ferrari's. Then you will do the town in style.

Scent..........I don't know if I could pinpoint the scent of Cherry Blossoms. Close your eyes and imagine being locked in a car, with all the windows rolled tight. You sit in there for about an hour. The sour smell of sweat and old car stuff will overwhelm you.  Now, picture you open the car door and the sweetest, freshest air you could imagine rushes in and envelopes you with a plethora of soft flowered aroma, light spice aroma and air that has been cleansed by the noonday sun...yep........that is the scent of the Cherry Blossoms!

Apr 14, 2008 06:02 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent
Perfect!  Thanks, J-Mac!
Apr 14, 2008 06:38 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

It is true that spring should wash away some of the winter's discontent...but more sales would help too.  it is VERY slow here.

Washington's cherry blossoms remind me that I should get out the camera for the Cherry blossom feast on Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains.  As you enter the city from the town of Mamaroneck - Mamaroneck Ave. is the main road that goes all they way downtown to the city center.  Anyway, many years ago a blind man named Brian Wallach decided to start " White Plains Beautification."  One of his first ideas was to plant cherry trees in the middle of the island of the 4-lane road leading into the city from the southern end.  To this day the cherry trees grace that island and when the come into bloom in the spring it is really something. 

Apr 14, 2008 04:12 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor
What a beautiful post...! It just took me away to some spring dream in my head for a few moments there!  BTW its Calvin Coolidge that you were quoting re the nine troubles - its a perfect quote for the worrier in all of us! :-)
Apr 15, 2008 05:51 AM
L. Wayne Denton
Denton Properties, Inc. - Loganville, GA
I have a handle on your market!!!

Having the background in my personal life makes me appreciate every day I am blessed with seeing the sunrise.  I love everyday of the year, days when winter is so quite you can hear your own heart beat.  There are days in the Spring so loud you can hear the bees swarming over the flower blossoms.  There are days in the summer that will show you  where the bees have been storing their honey for you, but you have to listen and follow them as they go home.  Then there are days in the fall where the squirrels chew you out for being in the middle of their dining room. 

Without each day of the year contributing to the next one and taking away from the previous one, we would be missing out on the fullness of life. 

Thank you for sharing who you are and the things that have made you be.

Apr 15, 2008 06:43 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
John.....that was beautiful....don't ya just love spring and all it has to offer.....seems a lot of inside as well as outside :)
Apr 15, 2008 08:13 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
John, I love Spring here in D.C.  Birds chirping, great weather, cherry blossoms, real estate sales... What could be better?
Apr 19, 2008 07:07 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

John- I got so relaxed reading your Post.....I wanted to sit with you and "watch the people watching the people, watch the people"....in fact when I am done commenting on this Contest...I want to go back outside and enjoy the Spring Day :)

Thank you for entering the Contest.....I enjoyed this very much......

Apr 19, 2008 08:40 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
John, This post was well written.  Washington in spring is absolutely beautiful.  I especially appreciate how you intertwined the concept of the winter of discontent.  Thank you for a great entry into the Spring Contest.
Apr 19, 2008 09:00 AM