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All Aboard departing from the Good Times Station

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

April 16, 2008 01:05 AM

Life is all about comings and goings. Beginnings and endings. In real estate you meet new clients, go through an entire purchase or sell process with them, and then wrap things up. There are mini beginnings and endings each and every day within the larger sequence of start and finish.

I would encourage you in your work and in life in general to pay close attention to the endings, the departures. They can be fleeting at times, a hurried wave as you catch a plane, or run out the door to work, or catch the bus to school.

Life is short and uncertain for sure. You're never actually sure when you will see that person again. So

LEAVE THEM WITH SOMETHING GOOD.

A smile, a laugh, a memory, a gift, a token of appreciation, something to think about, a bit of encouragement, a vision of the next time you'll get together, something to look forward to, an experience they will cherish, a hug or kiss, something on the emotional level.

Words are important and do matter. Carefully choose them to be positive and don't leave someone while fighting or arguing, especially those who mean something to you.

Give people more than they expect and when they depart from you into that uncertain world your actions and example will stay with them.

You want them to remember that spending their precious minutes of lifetime with YOU they were leaving the Good Times Station.

Depart Good

LIFE ON A TRAIN

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Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

A brand new acquaintance of mine died suddenly last week. He is designing a wine cellar for one of my clients. I had met him on Friday of last week for the initial consultation with my client and he was AWESOME! Several emails passed back and forth and then all of a sudden they stopped. I found out that he was on his way home and felt chest pains. He was able to pull over to the side of the road and call the paramedics - they didn't get there in time and he died of a massive heart attack. Totally puts things in perspective - always leave a good lasting impression, always speak pleasant words, express your gratitude for friends and family and NEVER hold a grudge. I know that your post was not geared towards those in our lives that have passed but since last week it reminds me of the little times all day when I have the opportunity to do just what you said....smile, wave, laugh and love!

Apr 16, 2008 01:18 AM

Misty Thomas

Houston Realty - Crosby, TX

Realtor Crosby, TX

What a wonderful way to start my day! you are absoutely right and I love the reminder!

Apr 16, 2008 01:19 AM

Rosario Lewis

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY

Remember to say, "I love you," to your loved ones. Sure, they already know it, but there is something in the telling that makes it more.

Apr 16, 2008 01:30 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Jim: Never take life for granted.

Tanya: It is all about a cherished moment isn't it? Life is built around moments.

Leesa: Departures are into the unknown, as you so aptly put with the man you met. Treat all with that smile, wave, laugh, and love and you will be fine.

Misty: Think when those in your midst depart. It makes all the difference.

Apr 16, 2008 01:30 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Rosario: That is a key one for sure. And like you said, "Saying it," is more important than you thinking they know it. VERY GOOD!!!

Apr 16, 2008 01:31 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Gary ~ This is so true. In my family, when we end a telephone conversation with each other, we always end it with "I love you", and mean it!

Apr 16, 2008 02:34 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Kathy: A great family tradition for all of us.

Apr 16, 2008 12:01 PM

Keith Perry

Coldwell Banker - Hiram, GA

REALTOR - West Metro Atlanta

Great post Gary!! I visited a friend of mine in January who was going to have heart surgery later in the week. I am so glad I did. I miss him and his antics terribly.

Apr 16, 2008 12:14 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, That video was a true find and brought tears to my eyes. I don't believe I'll ever look at a train ride the same way...or all the metaphors it stands for.

Apr 16, 2008 12:39 PM

Joan Mirantz

Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH

Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Gary...truely how we should live our lives. But as each day wears on the wisdom seemsto be shoved behind the frustrations, angers and fears of daily life. So we just start anew the next day...

Apr 16, 2008 01:42 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Keith & Robin: Life is short.

Carole: It is worth watching a time or two.

Joan: Just live in the moment, one day at a time, then it makes more sense.

Apr 16, 2008 05:53 PM

M Realtor

Camden, DE

Gary, you made me cry you really did.How do you fix it?? If you don't say what you need to say and then is too late and there isn't much you can do about it ? How do you leave with the regrets and sorrow?

Have you seen the "Bucket List ?I just remembered the song "Say" by John Mayer. GREAT SONG!

Apr 16, 2008 06:11 PM

Steve Homer

The HBH Group (Keller Williams affiliate) - Round Rock, TX

Gary: I am proud to be on the train with you my friend! Although the journey can be hard sometimes the passengers make the journey all that more special!

Apr 17, 2008 01:59 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mariana: The train story is a good one and I did see the Bucket List which I liked too. Don't live with regrets, just with acceptance and in the moment.

Steve: Glad to have you as one of my passengers too.

Apr 17, 2008 06:26 AM

Joey Remondino

RE/MAX Preferred Properties - Vienna, VA

Broker, GRI, E-Pro

That's a good one, I loved it. I also love the picture.

Thanks

Apr 18, 2008 01:10 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Joey: Those closest to us we should always depart with kind words.

Apr 18, 2008 04:42 PM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Leave them with something good...........oh to remember that....to have it engrained like every breath...wouldn't that be something.......hmm

The video was amazing.....its sure lends the concept of 'baggage' a new meaning - the tendency is when one says they're 'carrying a lot of baggage' ...to think of it as something negative.........but hmm imagine if we think of it as a blessing - how different our retrospective would be....

Apr 19, 2008 09:59 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Liz: I especially like your insight that 'baggage' is not to be considered bad. It is what we carry along from whom we touch. Very good.

Apr 19, 2008 04:18 PM

Arina Hanciulescu

RealtyPros - Las Vegas, NV

RealtyPros

I totally agree with you : "Words are important and do matter". I am always trying to be considered when talking to people because I know that words carries positive or negative energies that can hurt or uplift others.

Apr 19, 2008 09:34 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Arina: Carefully chosen words are like honey. Very few people understand this about the positive and negative effect of our words. That phrase that the pen is mightier than the sword speaks volumes about the power of words. I work constantly at this, trying to think before speaking. It takes lots of practice. The power to uplift souls is so motivating to me rather than tearing people down as too many others do. Leaving those you love with "good" words at departures I think is very important.

Apr 20, 2008 01:28 AM