Ruminating on the Road

By
Real Estate Agent with Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com TN License #326261

I know. It sounds like something one might do on the side of the road after a long night. A few letters make a lot of difference! But just to be clear, I'm talking about pondering here, not, well you know...

Ruminating on the roadI had surgery to replace both knees a little over three months ago. Progress has been steady and I've started walking in the morning along the country road in front of our house. It's hilly and somewhat strenuous but entirely satisfying upon completion of a two mile walk. Early in the morning the birds are singing wildly and the cattle alongside the road are getting ready for a busy day of chewing, chewing, and more chewing. Horses are lazily grazing and while standing on a bridge, I can hear the gurgle of a stream beneath the road.

I do some of my best thinking and problem solving while walking.

Today I noticed something that I think is important: I look down at the road more than I ever did before my surgery. I'm quite afraid of taking a misstep and stumbling. I suppose that makes sense given the possible consequences of a fall. But then there's all that beauty and joy that I'm missing by looking down at the cracks in the road.

ruminating on the road 2Working in real estate is similar in many ways. Do you actually enjoy working with clients and moving them along life's paths, or do you spend all your time looking for real estate "potholes" or worrying about the next deal?

There can be joy in what we do. Getting to know our clients and laughing with them over the placement of a lockbox, chuckling over crazy wallpaper in a kitchen, or just finding them the "near" perfect home can give us great pleasure if we take the time to recognize it.

Do you still find joy in the journey?

Posted by

TW Realty Group
 
Tom White, REALTOR®
Franklin Homes Realty LLC
(615) 870-8169
 

 

 
 
This posting with the content written here and photographs displayed are the intellectual property and opinions of Tom White of Franklin Homes Realty LLC. Any party who uses this material without the written permission of Tom White is subject to copyright infringement and possible lawsuit.

Comments (36)

Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

I suppose I'll always be a little more conscious of missteps, Debbie Gartner . But...I sure do like the fact I can actually walk two miles!

Hi Dorie Dillard, I couldn't do what we do if it was a constant drudge. Yes, it certainly motivates you to bring them some joy in the journey! Thanks, I hadn't really thought of it quite that way...

Being careful is just smart, Sheila Anderson

 

Jul 04, 2015 10:44 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, me, too.  Over the last few weeks, I've seen some past customers and realtors that I met w/ when I couldn't walk. It's been very cool.

Jul 04, 2015 10:46 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hi Tom -- mornings are a great time to ponder and to ruminate as long as we remain mindful to what's going on along side the road.

Jul 04, 2015 11:20 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Realty Center - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I am glad that I didnt miss this post, thanks to Kathy's weekly summary!  Thanks for sharing!

Jul 05, 2015 12:36 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Good morning Tom. I'm sorry I missed this post the first time around but Kathy highlighted it! I catch myself all the time worrying about the ground in front of me instead of enjoying my surroundings. I'm a worrier by nature. I've gotten a lot better over the years but still have some way to go.

Jul 05, 2015 01:13 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

My road is a little different from yours, but yes... I still enjoy the journey! 

Jul 05, 2015 02:54 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Looking back now, I'm glad most of it is behind me, Debbie Gartner! I'm sure you're thinking the same thing.

I have to admit, sometimes I just miss stuff, Michael Jacobs!

Kathy does a great job with her list.  It's great to be part of it on occasion, Kristin Johnston, Waukesha Realtor 414-254-6647.

I'm a big time worrier Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert ---I'm sorry to say. I know I shouldn't be anxious about anything but it's easier said than done...

I've been blessed in my Journey, Marte Cliff ! You're right, everyone's road is different.

 

Jul 05, 2015 05:55 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH Real Estate - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Tom, hey!  I do that, too.  Around here it's not so much potholes but uneven concrete sidewalks with trip hazards.  So far, I haven't fallen - don't want to mess up my knee guy's brilliant work!  And the physical therapy had such a strong emphasis on improving overall balance.  That's helped,too.

Jul 05, 2015 08:58 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Absolutely!  There are times that I wish I had a bit more time for myself and family, but most of the time, I love everything real estate.

Jul 05, 2015 12:17 PM
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

I've spent a lot of time lately looking down.  I really had to work to get over that this year.  Glad your surgery went well.  We so take healthy bodies for granted, don't we?

Jul 06, 2015 01:30 AM
Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep up the walking.

I noticed that Franklin is in the news today as one of the best places to retire.

Jul 06, 2015 11:15 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-755-2905

Tom, I absolutely do!! Learning, stretching, fulfilling....it's all good! (Except for the damned paperwork).

Jul 08, 2015 02:10 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I will say that it has become such a litigious society that I do look out for potholes be also for the fun things. It is fun to have a laugh together and lightens the moments.

Jul 08, 2015 11:33 AM
Claude Labbe
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

If it's not fun, it's just become a job, and that surely isn't fun.

Nice analogy.

Jul 10, 2015 01:06 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
New Hampshire Home Stager

What a great post!  Finding the joy in anything we do is what keeps us young!

Jul 22, 2015 06:05 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

I do find joy in the journey, but as we all know, it's about our attitude. A bad day can be a great day to learn an important lesson. Glad you're getting stronger, Tom. I'll bet Tammie is too. :)

Jul 27, 2015 05:26 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Tom - I'd say you are doing rather well after 3 months.  The pit hole s should be avoided without focusing on them.

Aug 04, 2015 08:04 AM
Jill Winchel
Royal Shell Real Estate - The Koffman Group - Cape Coral, FL
We make it easy. You make it home.

Oh my, Tom, I didn't realize you went through such an ordeal. I have issues with my right knee but not sure I can even go through with one knee replacement. Keep your head high and pay attention to the journey, even if you stumble a bit, it will be worth it. Wishing you continued recovery.

Aug 10, 2015 09:43 AM
Brian England
Vacasa - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I missed this update, but glad that I found it just now.  It's good to know that you are progressing well and I hope it is continuing to progress well for you each passing day!

Aug 31, 2015 01:33 AM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Glad to hear your recovery has been progressing well!   I do still find the joy in every day and my clients and I enjoy many laughs along the journey!

Nov 02, 2015 04:42 AM

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