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Things aren't always as they seem

By
Real Estate Agent with Abbotsford and Mission

Ah the other day, my boyfriend Brendan and I were out walking our dog, Belle out by Ruskin Lake, Mission. The snow was melting away, but the path still had about 6 inches of snow! Now it didn't look as if the snow was packed so we didn't want to be trudging through 6 inches of snow without boots on. We noticed a groove on the path that seemed as if someone created it, packing the snow, so we are trying our best to walk in it and not to slip and fall. Our dog is in the ditch walking through the water (you know how dogs are).

Shortly we met a couple who were walking their dog, a Beagle, so we stopped and chatted. Funny how dogs are so curious; the little beagle was chasing our big dog, as she was hiding behind me.

Anyway, the friendly couple were telling us about a man that was running around the lake. Not walking, actually sprinting on the snow. We both look at each other, as we were having a hard enough time just walking in this little groove.

As we continued our walk, Brendan stepped out of the little groove, it noticed that it was actually easier to walk out of it! So he started running with our dog, along the snow. I of course, soon followed, and we had a great walk the rest of the time.

Funny how we thought this little groove was our safest walk, yet once we stepped out, we realized it was actually harder to walk in.

I think we learned a lesson from this running man. Sometimes things aren't always as they seem. I know you've probably heard this many times before, but it seems sometimes we think that the best way is the way that looks easiest, yet when we try another way, we find an easier route.

Well I have to say I learned something very valuable that day. Sometimes you just have to step out of the groove and make your own path. You might be surprised with what you find.

Anonymous
Kathy McGraw-CA Broker

I would like to say Welcome to Active Rain :)  I enjoyed your little story, and you are so right, the road less traveled, the path we take that others might not can be very rewarding.  I read Liz's Post about you and your tenacity.  Keep at it, and follow your own path and you'll be fine.  Both in Blogging and Real Estate....

Always be yourself, and never try to copy someone else.  That's my very best Blogging and Real Estate Advice....sorry I'm not signed in, I found this through Twitter ;)

Jan 31, 2009 10:34 AM
#6
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

Jennifer, I agree, things are not as they seem.  Sometimes that really dissapoints, but most of the time we are pleasantly surprised.  Cute story.  We welcome you to Active Rain.  Liz is so supportive and a great mentor.  Nice to meet you.

Jan 31, 2009 10:37 AM
Treva Fox-Christy
INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE - Farmington, NM

Great post and welcome to Activerain. I too am a new Realtor. I find that so many in my office give advice that is awesome but some of the style of delivery doesn't fit me well. I have tried to take the advice and save what I can and put my own feel to it so I will not come off robotic. I appreciate the years of experience all my fellow agents have and have learned soooo very much and am so totally blessed to have them, but as we get more comfortable in our "new world" we soon develop who we are and know we have arrived. Best of luck and I know you are going to be tremendous!

Jan 31, 2009 10:46 AM
Randy Hooker
Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area - Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek

Excellent post, Jennifer!  And what a way to launch your blogging career.  Welcome to ActiveRain!

Randy Hooker

Jan 31, 2009 10:56 AM
Gary McNinch
Better Properties Real Estate - Renton, WA
Broker, Renton WA Real Estate

Jennifer - Welcome to AR, welcome to the real estate business and welcome to KW.  As the Red Book says, Aim High and Think Big.  That is usually enough to take most people off the beaten path. 

List and Sell (tell Liz thanks for putting you on here)   Gary @ RentonHomeFinder.com

Jan 31, 2009 11:23 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jennifer, Liz said to stop by----very glad I did---keep blogging and welcome to active rain.

Jan 31, 2009 11:40 AM
Diane Lombardino
Keller Williams Realty of Jupiter - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Hi Jennifer!  Welcome to Active Rain.  I think we're going to like YOU A LOT!  Nice post....... it gets us thinkin'........My coach said when you do the same thing over and over, you get the same result over and over.  So change your "path" and see what happens!  Looking forward to your next post!

Diane Lombardino    www.findwowproperties.com

 

Jan 31, 2009 11:43 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Hi Jennifer - I heard about you from Liz Moras, whom I had the pleasure of meeting recently right here in Austin!  This is a terrific post!  I agree - you have to step out of your groove/comfort zone sometimes.  Nice analogy.  Welcome to AR!

Jan 31, 2009 12:53 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Hi Jennifer!  Nicely done!!  You probably have an advantage over more experienced agents in that you don't have the "that's the way we've always done it" syndrome that often keeps us from looking for that path outside of the rut. 

Good luck to you and welcome to the KW family :)

Jan 31, 2009 01:05 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Hi Jennifer, and welcome to this Active Rain community. I look forward to reading more of your blogs...this is great!

Jan 31, 2009 01:23 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Hi Jennifer, and welcome to this Active Rain community. I look forward to reading more of your blogs...this is great!

Jan 31, 2009 01:23 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Hi Jennifer - welcome to the 'Rain!  You have written a great explanation of why the "road less traveled" is more often than not the best solution:  ruts are easy to fall into, but the going is rough.

Jan 31, 2009 01:57 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Jennifer - That was a great lesson, sometimes you need to make your own path.  Once again welcome to AR

Jan 31, 2009 03:47 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Hi Jennifer - Liz sent me over - welcome to AR!

Great post, here - amazing what you find when you look around you - sometimes seeing someone else have success makes one think, "Hmm....I guess I can do that, too!"

Feb 01, 2009 03:39 AM
Jennifer Beckstrom
Abbotsford and Mission - Abbotsford, BC
Realtor - Keller Williams Valley Realty

Wow thanks for all your comments everyone! It really is a wonder about how we look at things. It's what sets us apart from everything, choosing our own paths and making our own way.

Feb 02, 2009 10:55 AM
M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Hello, Jennifer. (message on target:-) . When I was new to Active Rain and Real Estate, one of the actions that totally made me come to life and find "my own" was using Localism to advantage. Put that digital camera to use. I also noticed when I do Localism blogs--I rarely get a comment, but views and clicks might be higher. I also noticed if I included *Photos* or |Photoblog in my title, that clicks seemed to improve. You will find new opportunities to introduce yourself also as people tend to be curious about people shooting photos. My statement of purpose is: "...I am a REALTOR. My purpose in taking photos is to give folks a feeling of what its really like to live here.

Also, if you have your own url, you can attach your localism blog to a url to make it easy for locals to find your localism blog. Check it out - my localism blog is  http://area228.info  An area code or zip code seems easier for people to remember than our name.com .

Well, how's that for a welcome? Enjoy the rain.

Feb 03, 2009 02:36 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Jennifer,

First off, welcome!

It like your post as well as the comment

Sometimes you just have to step out of the groove and make your own path. You might be surprised with what you find.

What a good reminder to all of us in this trying market!

See you in the rain!

Feb 04, 2009 05:03 AM
Jennifer Beckstrom
Abbotsford and Mission - Abbotsford, BC
Realtor - Keller Williams Valley Realty

Thanks Suzi,

I'm in the process of downloading some pictures to my blogs, just haven't quite got them yet.

It does make a difference with pictures, I totally agree. 

Feb 07, 2009 07:42 AM
Jennifer Beckstrom
Abbotsford and Mission - Abbotsford, BC
Realtor - Keller Williams Valley Realty

Thanks Sheila,

No matter how tough things can be, it will get easier eventually. What matters most is what you do to get you there.

Feb 07, 2009 07:44 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Hope you're doing well Jenny !  We miss you - and you know the door i always open - and we'd welcome you back! And I miss your writing!

Apr 30, 2009 03:25 PM