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Thankfulness in business.....an attitude to own......

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Knights Investing

 

 This is a picture of some orphans in India with their caretaker sitting in the center.

 

She is the daughter of a man who planted (founded) 7 churches in this city some 20 years ago.

 

She takes care of these kids with her husband. ALL these kids have been abandoned by their parents --- some because of debts the parents owed and could not pay,..... others because the children could not be fed because of lack of income......some were left out in the cold with no food and nowhere to go becuase thier parents died.

 

 

All I know I HAVE to help them.......

 

 

We have BIG plans for them...a school...better housing, more clothing, more opportunities in life for them!

 

 

I met HER (The caretaker) in a Christian Chat-room several years ago....and I have given offerings to them to help pay for food, clothing and the upkeep of taking care of the children (food, electricity, etc). I know she AND the kids pray for me...because sometimes at 4am in the morning ~~~ when it is 1pm their time in India I wake up...and I KNOW I am being prayed for....  =-D

 

 

At Keller Williams they tell you to have a BIG Why in life....WHY do I want to be able to give thousands of dollars to orphans in a nation that is over 12 hours and THOUSANDS of miles away by plane?

 

Why do I give hundreds of dollars to a homeless ministry in downtown Orlando?

Why do I show up to help feed them dinner and talk to them?

 

  • They can't pay me back for the money OR time I give them (Neither the orphans NOR the homeless people).
  • The kids in India don't even know my name (I think...hehehe)
  • I could be doing other things while I am at the homeless ministry (like selling homes).

 

These kids all sleep on a couple of blankets in a large room in the house they live in with the Pastors daughter and her husband. Their living conditions are not great, BUT it is FAR BETTER than how they would fare outside in the cold and hungry world outside.

 

I WANT to do this for them, because I CAN.....

 

I grew up in a suburban home, in a small college city (Syracuse, New York). My dad was a school music teacher and my mom taught piano privately.

We were NOT rich, but I had food, clothes and regular meals every day. As I grew up, I had a bicycle, Tonka Toys (some of you will remember them -- those metal, large wheeled construction vehicle replicas...they were FUN!!) and a couple other toys (a J.I Joe), but nothing lavish or expensive.

As I was growing up I would see people who were down and out and feel for them..... and when my Pastor asked me several years ago what I wanted to do in my life besides being in the restaurant business, I thought about it and told him, "Real Estate". I am NOT sure why I did that, BUT I know I WILL be able to do more in my life because of the successful application of business principles in the field of real estate.

Now, when things go wrong in my life, OR I make bad decisions (as we all do from time to time)...I think of my BIG WHY in life...and I remember:

 

 

It's Not all about ME (MY feelings, perceptions etc...)

It's about making this a better world for SOMEONE ELSE.

Living for others has a high price...a price I am willing to pay.

 

 

Click on the picture of the kids above to find a really inspiring movie about thankfulness!

(The movie is NOT long...and I am SURE you will smile and be moved by it!)

 

 

That is why I help people buy and sell central Florida real estate:

  • I want a better life for people who cannot pay me back and cannot do it for themselves where they are at in life right now.
  • I know when I have trouble and people are there to help ME I am thankful to God for that help.
  • I am inspired when I hear of people who have been helped that way. These people usually are truly thankful for the help they get.
  • I am inspired by people who do that for others...... Read Jeff Turners post!
  • Jesus said, "If you do these things for the LEAST of my brothers, you are doing it to ME."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Alexander Harb -- PSEM®, E-Agent®

To follow me on facebook and add me as a friend.... click here..

 

 

Rice Property Management and Realty L.L.C. is an equal housing company!

Click here to see every available home for sale on the Orlando, Florida MLS

 

 

 

 

  Just click on any of these links
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just searching

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are looking for!

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Comments (15)

Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Of the things I miss most ~~~ I miss my.........humility......

I think I got it back today.....

\O/\O/ =-D =-D

Feb 27, 2007 04:17 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Alex, that is a great work that you are helping with.  At my Church we send a group of our teenagers along with some adults to Mexico every other year to build two houses for needy families.  It isn't any thing fancy, but it is better than the cardboard box that most of them are living in.  I don't know who gets more out of it, the families that we build the houses for or our teenagers for being part of that work.  They come back all charged up ready to do more, and appreciate what they have.  Helping others is a two way street, and most of the time those that do the giving are blessed more then if they were the ones doing the receiving.

Feb 28, 2007 08:00 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Alex,

Thankfulness and gratitude is powerful motivation.  I can see that your gratitude for what has been given to you motivates you to give to others.  Thank you for posting this in Fraiche Aire.

Feb 28, 2007 08:55 AM
Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN
RS Mortgage Consulting - Indianapolis, IN
Alexander, This is gut wrenching to say the least.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  It leaves me speechless, I know , that's a switch.  Take care.
Feb 28, 2007 11:58 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents
Alex: Thank you so much for being a faithful servant. Before I knew there is a reason for my being, I really believed in the success of this world. That bigger is better. I am always in awe by how much more beautiful life is when it's just love and nothing else....
Feb 28, 2007 12:38 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Wow...how to respond to those comments.... =-D (I'll try...)

George....You have no idea what YOUR comment here means to me...or do you?? Your depth of maturity and wisdom shocked me and really woke me up as we have gotten to know each other more... Our church is deeply into missions and we GIVE many hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and SEND  many people to the mission field ~~~ Teens, College age kids, Adults and seniors too! YES it is BETTER to give than receive.... as I have found out being the recipient of your friendship..... You have helped me to see some of the things I need to work on in my life..... YOUR friendship in Christ is valued very highly by me, brother!!

Lola....I am glad to be in such a group as yours..... and I am honored to have you stop by and send such a comment my way!  =-D (Your comment shows YOUR heart!!)

Bob....since WHEN were YOU ever without words, "Pop"?  =-D  Let me guess..... Maybe after your then fiance' said "YES" to your proposal of marriage? Or when you had your first child? I count myself lucky to be one of THOSE moments in YOUR life....... =-D

Loreena...... You are so honorable and you dignify the Lord and His Name...... Bigger CAN be better...IF we govern it according to His way of life...not our own......amen????    AMEN!!!!  ( Iam preaching to the choir here aren't I?    ;-D  )

\O/ \O/ =-D =-D

(P.S. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF THE CARETAKER WITH THE KIDS...A GREAT LITTLE MOVIE IS THERE ON THANKFULNESS...GBY EVERYONE!!)

Feb 28, 2007 01:45 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Herb,

First time I read this post, I didn't click on the movie.  I'm glad I came back.  Today, a client called who I am going to send a link to the movie because it speaks so powefully to the challenges they are facing today!  Thank you for reminding us to give thanks in all things.

Mar 01, 2007 02:14 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

Brother,

You are a continual blessing.  Your transformation is appearing right before our very eyes.  GOD is getting HIS glory.  Blessings to you Alex

Mar 01, 2007 03:30 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Everyone is a work in progress sis...... I just choose to be transparent about it..... it is painful at times, YET I believe others can see that God will help us change when WE SEE we need to.....He comes to us in so many diverse ways....

\O/ \O/ =-D =-D

Mar 02, 2007 03:41 AM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590
I love your messages, Alexander.  It's nice to see you live the Gospel.  That movie was nice; the song is one of my favorites. (Give Thanks)
Mar 03, 2007 04:55 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Brian....

I grew up Catholic...and WAS going to become a Priest (Hence my sometimes dry and systematic way of doing things).... that changed when I was 15 or so.....

I saw all your posts about the various churches, but I could not bring myself to comment...it was not intertionally to NOT comment...I just couldn't bring myself to do it....there were too many memories....

Giving thanks is a lifestyle we ALL should live.... it all comes back to you eventually...

;-D

Mar 03, 2007 05:17 AM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590

Yes, I deleted them from localism because I didn't want to have a Fair Housing claim.  I'm limiting any posting or commenting about my faith to this group. (which is a great place to do just that)

I grew up Catholic...and WAS going to become a Priest (Hence my sometimes dry and systematic way of doing things).... that changed when I was 15 or so

You do it your way, I do it mine...but He gets it done, doesn't He? 

Thanks for the warm welcome home, Alexander. 

Mar 03, 2007 03:18 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Yer welcome Brian...I am glad to call you BROTHER....., bro.....!!

=-D =-D

\O/\O/

Mar 04, 2007 12:38 PM
Aziz Abdur-Raoof
RE/MAX Rewards - Columbia, MD
Howard Co. Real Estate Scoop
Alexander
Gratitude --thank you for your post

Did you hear about what the Pastor in Kansas City? if not -check out my blog about it today titled stop complaining....
Mar 04, 2007 01:43 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Will do, Aziz...thanks!! Now you have me wondering what happened.... I hope it is good news.....

I LOVE good news...there is so much bad news on TV...that is why I don't listen to the TV news anymore...too depressing....

I read the news on YAHOO.....

Mar 05, 2007 05:04 AM