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Random Blog Fragments: Leaving Worry Behind

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Estate Shows

Cruise Ship

 

"Rearranging Chairs on the Titanic."

Chris Elizabeth Griffith left that phrase in a comment to me and it really struck a chord with me.  I'd never heard it before, so it made me laugh out loud, but I also nearly imitated a V-8 commercial forehead slap -- I've been doing this!!

How many of us spend too much time rearranging chairs when we should be looking for icebergs, or (too late!) heading for the lifeboats?  I've been stuck in a rut lately, focused on those chairs.  Chris gave me a nice reality check with that phrase. 

I need to leave the chairs (details) alone and head for the lifeboats (big picture)! 

Why do we make things so hard on ourselves?  I haven't read the book Blink yet, but I do know the best decisions I've made in my life have been the ones I didn't overthink.  When I've gone with my gut and done what instinctively felt RIGHT, life goes smoothly.

When I fiddle with chairs, I get the iceberg. 

***************

Worry is not my friend.  It keeps me up at night and doesn't solve anything.  I've wasted too much time worrying over small things instead of enjoying the good stuff. 

A magnet on my fridge says, "Worry Does Not Empty Tomorrow of Its Troubles, It Empties Today of Its Strength."

I need to listen to my fridge more often.

****************

Happy Woman"I have been through some terrible things, some of which actually happened." ~ Mark Twain

"You live and learn.  At any rate, you live." ~ Douglas Adams

"There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot."  ~ Steven Wright

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your pet parrot to the town gossip." ~ Will Rodgers

"One thing life has taught me: If you are interested, you never have to look for new interests.  They come to you.  When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else."  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"The first step to getting the things you want is this: Decide what you want." ~ Ben Stein

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony."  ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Comments(45)

Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Cynthia - You're welcome.  I really WAS sharing my thoughts, this was just me talking to myself.  I'm glad you enjoyed listening in!

Danny - I love that!  And the cat in the rain is perfect! 

Sally - It's just me, I do better when I just do it rather than think it to death.  I have more fun, too.

Kelli - I have The Secret but honestly, I didn't finish it.  It kept talking about how great it was, and I really wanted it to just talk to me and let ME decide if I really thought it was great.  Obviously I'm a fan of positive thought.  I'll give it some time and try it again.  Sometimes that's all it takes and I'll "get" the book the next time.

Kelly - Any ol' time you need writing encouragement, come see me!  I'll do what I can.

Kaye - To me, that quote fit in perfectly with my train of thought.  I wasn't sure what anyone else would think of it, though!  I LOVE Steven Wright, he always makes me laugh! 

Roberta - Hi!  Very good quote, thanks for sharing it.  You can't beat words of wisdom from Dad!

Chris - You ARE!!  ;o)

Lisa - You're welcome!  And Hi!  :o)

Jeff - Hey, how's Chuck?  Send him my best!  ;o)  I love quotes myself.

Apr 25, 2007 09:07 AM
Tim Maitski
Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage - Atlanta, GA
Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal

Sarah,  I'm with you about not worrying.  It's always a waste.  If I can do something about an issue, I do.  If I can't do something about it, what's the point of worrying. I'll deal with it if and when it occurs.  I hate the "What if?" questions.

Blink is an excellent read. 

 

Apr 25, 2007 09:20 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I agree that worrying doesn't get you anywhere -- It also causes a lot of sleep loss.  The quotes help one refocus and shut off the worry tape.  I like to read a quote each morning to set the tone for that day!  It helps keeps the worries away.
Apr 25, 2007 10:37 AM
Beth Butler
Beth Butler - Big Mouth Consulting - Miami, FL
Sarah... I bookmarked this one - its a nice read when the day gets a little too heavy.  Worry is an obstacle that needs to be overcome - your post helps.  Thanks
Apr 25, 2007 10:44 AM
Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN
RS Mortgage Consulting - Indianapolis, IN

Sarah, I am still working on it...all of it....great post, now I will go read it again, why?  Becasue I liked it. 

 

                                                        a lot...

Apr 25, 2007 11:03 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Tim - Thanks for sharing your opinion on Blink.  I've heard it's good, I really need to get it.  I've read before that you don't like to worry.  I'm a grand champion worrier when my mind gets the best of me.  I'm fighting it.  TLW just made me laugh on her post and I find that helps a LOT.

Joan - "The worry tape", YES.  It plays in my mind and won't let me sleep sometimes!!  I think I have it turned off now. 

Beth - Worry is an obstacle and I'm stubborn enough to make myself get over it.  I'm working it!  Glad you liked the post.  If you worry, let me know.  I'll try to talk you down.

Apr 25, 2007 11:04 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Oh!  Missed Melody!  Hi, Melody!  Sorry about that, and you're very welcome!

Bob - :o)  Thank you!  :o) 

Apr 25, 2007 11:05 AM
Dick & Sandy Beals
Wilmington Real Estate 4U Wilmington, NC - Wilmington, NC

 Hi Sarah,

 Funny, when you need something like this, it magically appears.  Thanks....today was a character building day, and you helped out

Dick Beals

Lemon...and maybe it continues??

Apr 25, 2007 11:58 AM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
Don't listen to your fridge too much.....it can steer you wrong....LOL. I agree completely. I tend to overthink everything. It's my nature. It drives my husband and everyone else crazy though. I need to try to stop doing it and follow my gut more often.
Apr 25, 2007 12:39 PM
Julie Ferenzi
john greene Realtor - Plainfield, IL
Julie Ferenzi

Thanks Sarah.  Today was the perfect day to read this post.

Apr 25, 2007 01:12 PM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
You are ON A ROLL woman!!!  Very nice.....I'm always organizing those chairs, I am a details freak!!  I cannot even focus on the big picture until those chairs are perfect.....will have to work on that.  Did I mention I'm a details' freak?
Apr 25, 2007 01:36 PM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate
Sarah, I agree with you on this one.  "Worry Does Not Empty Tomorrow of Its Troubles, It Empties Today of Its Strength."  Thanks again!
Apr 25, 2007 01:49 PM
Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC
Wow, this post really hit home with me.  You talk about worry keeping you up at night.  What it does to me is wake me up early  (really early.)  I'm taking some of your suggestions and running with them.
Apr 25, 2007 01:49 PM
Christina Ethridge
The North Idaho Dream Team powered by SKE Realty Group - Coeur d'Alene, ID
YES YES YES!  I agree.  The titanic statement is a funny one too.
Apr 26, 2007 02:14 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Dick - Oh, "character building days!"  Gotta hate THOSE!

Christy - My fridge seems pretty well balanced.  It's my dishwasher I worry about ...

Julie - I didn't even know.  I'm sorry.

Ines - Details are so much fun, so enthralling ... until you notice that iceberg hit while you were finding the perfect chair placement.

Suzanne - Don't I have a wise fridge?  It's 'cause it's old.  It's seen everything.

Diane - It keeps me up far too often.  And I'm a natural early riser.  I need to tell myself more often.

Christina - Love that!!  Titanic chairs is going to be a reminder to myself.

Apr 26, 2007 10:48 AM
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
How did I miss this?  2 days ago?  hmmm.   Sorry I'm so late.  Congratulations on the featured post.  But I feature all your posts in my own head =)  I needed this today.  Thank you for the wonderful message.  I've been fussing with too many chairs myself lately.
Apr 27, 2007 12:44 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Hi, Maggie!  I was just talking to myself, but apparently a lot of other people needed to hear it, too.  (I really didn't think many people would get it, it's kind of random.)  Let's push our chairs together and talk things over, then head for some lifeboats. OK?

Apr 27, 2007 04:10 AM
Jay Burnham
Coldwell Banker - Beverly, MA
The Coldwell Banker Guy

Sarah...Loved your blog...It's good to be reminded of those things once in a while.

You mentioned a "rut" which reminded me of something my mentor told me 25 years ago: "The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth."

Regards,

Jay Burnham

Apr 28, 2007 02:54 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV
Hi, Jay!  Whoa, good quote!  Makes me want to LEAP right out of my rut!!  Thanks for sharing that.
Apr 28, 2007 02:58 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV
(Thanks, Chris.)
Oct 04, 2007 09:22 PM