I WANT WHAT I HAVE!

This year has been more difficult than most recent years.  I personally faced personal and financial hardship.  However, as the year comes to a close, I am happier than I have been in many years.  You may think that I solved my problems or hit the lottery.  Well if you think that, you would be wrong.  I have learned to accept or want all that I have.  I could list all of the terrible things that have happened to me this year.  Why bother.   Out of each incident came an opportunity for me to expand my horizons.  Each tragedy gave me a brand new opportunity to figure out how to solve the problem.

 During this holiday season, many people are faced with economic difficulties.  This year, many will curtail the usual amount of holiday spending.  Many will tell you that they are having a hard time paying their bills.  Many people will feel down in the dumps or downright depressed.  When you start to feel down, think of those who are in a situation worse than yours.  If you are living in a home that is smaller than you like, think about the person that is sleeping in a shelter.  If you are living in a shelter, think about the person that is sleeping in a car.  If you are sleeping in a car, think about the person that is sleeping in a cardboard box.  If you are sleeping in a cardboard box, think about the person that is sleeping on a park bench with no shelter from the wind and the rain.   If you are sleeping on a park bench, think about the person who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness and only has a short time to live. 

 What I have learned in 2008 is a new definition of happiness.

Happiness is not having all that you want, but wanting all that you have.

If you expand that further, happiness is not wanting what you used to have, but wanting what you have now.  Throughout the year, I have posted many positive messages.  I have projected positivity to many people that I speak to on a daily basis.  Think about it, you can mope about your glass being half full, or you can be happy that you have a glass and that there is something in YOUR glass. 

 So as 2008 comes to a close, I accept all that I have and I want all that I have.  I accept all of those who I have touched with a positive message.  I accept the friends that send positive messages my way when I am feeling down.  I accept the economic slow down.  I accept the opportunities that the slow down has given me.  The lessons that it has taught me about saving and spending less and being more creative to get the job done with less money.  I accept my family.  I accept the family members I readily claim and those that I would rather remain hidden on some days.  Somewhere there is a child that has no family and would give anything to spend Christmas with a family that loves them.  I accept the car problems that I had this year.  I accept the job I was given of remodeling my bathroom because I could not afford to pay someone to do it.  I accept the lessons that I learned from cutting tile to mixing grout and soldering pipe.  I accept the difficulties I faced in the real estate market.  I accept the deals that I closed this year.  All over the country there are agents that are unable to close a single deal. 

 My list could go on and on.   I am happy and I accept my life as it is.  I want what I have.  I am looking forward to continuing this excitement in 2009.

Everyone have a Happy Holiday

Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)