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Freaky Friday Fog

By
Real Estate Agent with The Virtual Real Estate Team 104556

We got up early this morning for our ocean walk and we were greeted by some pretty dense fog. This is unusual for all the times we are in SE Florida but of course you roll with the punches. As we were walking I was thinking about a lot of things including the Jimmy Cliff song, I can see clearly now, but the fog was not gone. Then my mind turned from literal to metaphorical and I went in to different direction so I though I would share my thoughts about the fog of ones mind.

Too Much Information: We have been in construction hell do to the ongoing remodel and no TVs are accessible. It reminded me that too much media can fog the mind and take away all clarity. Without this of course there is the Internet but we have been doing the beach walks without a phone. Sometimes we think every moment has to be filled and it doesn't. I think of the old Buddhist proverb about the egotistical man who heard that a guru knew more than he did. In meeting the guru he asked for some tea with the knowledge and the guru poured the tea but didn't stop. When he protested the guru said I cannot add to a mind that is already full.

The Fog of the "Easy Way": Too often we just don't use the gift of emptiness to allow some crazy ideas to brew. To me no idea is too ridiculous and contains a germ of truth. The fog comes when you only through money at a problem or goal and not vision. In truth doing things like spending a ton on cold leads is not the true easy way, it is the shortcut created by the fog on your mind.

The Future: Leonard Cohen once sang "I have seen the future baby and it's murder. I remember once I was in a depressed place and it was a very bad space. If you asked me can you see the future I would tell you it was like trying to look through pea soup fog. I would occasionally see a flash but it didn't connect to the rest of me. A real estate guru might tell you you just need to try harder to envision your future but my advice is to try a little less. Your vision for the future requires that there is space to breathe, to dream, and to believe. Yes it is frustrating when we don't get instant gratification but this now return me to our walk. For the first two miles it was like what you see above, but as we neared the end of our walk in the other direction it was what you see below. Patience is a virtue and openness is the key. Our ocean walks empty our minds, in fact my wife is there now to relieve the frustrations of things going wrong. Once you can do this and appreciate emptiness rather than stress over it, it is amazing what flows into positive visualization. By the way this can be done with a simple walk through the neighborhood. Now to quote another song by The Who, I can see for miles and mile and mile and miles.

Comments (28)

Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have been telling myself for a while now that I want to learn more about the Buddhist ideals, but have yet to do so.  Is there a book or resource that you would recommend the most?

Dec 23, 2017 08:04 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I miss those oceanfront walks that I enjoyed when we lived at Virginia Beach.

Dec 23, 2017 08:37 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Joe

Really enjoyed your thoughts on the fog of one's mind. I often enjoy the time to just let my mind wander and not dwell on all that's going on or what I need to do, or should be doing. The beach does that for me, too, as do long walks.

Jeff

Dec 23, 2017 01:28 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I love the message her Joe.  I think we all need to take time to be quiet and still sometimes.

Dec 23, 2017 05:18 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Joe, at least with fog you know it will be gone as soon as the sun has a chance to burn it off. Fog somehow produces a stillness and with the limited visibility lets us focus on things that are near rather than far. Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2017 08:21 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I love this post, Joe! They say that idle time is the devil's workshop but, in my mind, it's the cloudy ideas, as you say, that you throw money at that resembles that old saying. 

Disconnecting is never a bad idea either - it's just something that we have such a struggle with - especially in our line of work!

Happy Sunday, Joe! 

Dec 24, 2017 02:55 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I hope you had a great freaky Friday and a wonderful holiday upcoming! All the best to you and yours!

Dec 24, 2017 09:46 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Debe Maxwell, CRS It’s nice to see that you still have the power to do awesomeness! Good luck with everything

Dec 24, 2017 10:16 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Correction: I meant to say can I see your point that sometimes you want to see through the fog over to the other side lol!That was a bad joke

Dec 24, 2017 10:18 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Too much media and noise can definitely fog the mind, not allowing it to do what it's supposed to do - think, dream, create.

I'm all for an occasional disconnect!

Dec 25, 2017 03:14 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Some great inspiration Joe Pryor and especially on the media. We are snowed in today here in NH. Merry Christmas

Dec 25, 2017 05:35 AM
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Yes, it's common for us to get so caught up in little things that we forget to take time to relax, clear our minds, and hit the "reset" button. I would love to do this during a walk but the snow, ice, and -3 temperature robs me of any joy that may hold!

Dec 25, 2017 06:27 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

T'is the season to reflect. There are so many gems in what you've said. Sometimes, I wish we could go back to simpler times. No, every minute does not have to be filled.

Dec 25, 2017 09:50 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

With the arrival of a New Year, it is a good time to reflect. Goal setting and planning is a good way to work through the mental fog. 

Dec 25, 2017 11:01 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Joe, I like your idea of try a little less. Sometimes it just gets to be too much,  Do what you have to do and let it flow,  When I want to get away, I will turn on an old movie from the 40s or 50s.

If you are doing construction here in Florida, slow down and take a breath.  They work at their own pace.  And it will get done, but not as fast as we'd like to see it.  I hope all goes well.

Dec 25, 2017 03:36 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Joe- very feature-worthy post. I have found that my best thinking, my best chance of coming up with something is from my walks on the beach. All that openness helps to unblock any restrictions I may have put on ideas. 

Dec 25, 2017 06:29 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great post!  I relate to the fog and the need for quiet.  When I take walks, the first few minutes is spent rethinking of what has to be done.  Once I plow past that, I'm reflective.  During that time I can envision thoughts and ideas of how to accomplish tasks and sometimes with creativity.  Works very well!  The best 30 minutes of silence ever!

Dec 25, 2017 07:28 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

My favorite place to walk is on the beach. It is a disconnect from the noise and distractions of life. As I walk, I notice that my mind becomes very creative.

I get great ideas when I allow my brain to work as it is meant to.

I do not put in ear buds to listen to music or news. Only the sound of waves and seagulls.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and making some very helpful points.

Dec 28, 2017 07:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A well deserved Feature!

This comes at a much needed time Joe. I thank you for your powerful advice! Brilliant!

Dec 28, 2017 07:40 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Joe Pryor - I always enjoy reading your blog posts. Your advice is always welcoming and valuable to me. Keep writing. You're an inspiration!!!

All the best to you and your wife in 2018. 

Dec 30, 2017 06:32 AM