I'm all for that celebratory drink and I know that most who have crossed the bar, are as well, Wayne Martin! Happy Monday! 

She was certainly a champion, as were many, many of my patients, Barbara Todaro! In fact, the challenge for me was not being their biggest cheerleader but, teaching the family to put smiles on their faces and compete with me in being the patient's biggest cheerleader. Sometimes when our family is involved, it's difficult to work beyond the emotion but, that is exactly what the patient needs...and wants us to do!

You've been challenged in a big way in the past, Michael Jacobs - you know the attitude you have to adopt and you know what a difference attitude makes. I say that about business all of the time - attitude is everything - but, it begins in our personal lives where it is our foundation. 

The great thing about attitudes is, unlike old dogs (not being able to teach them new tricks), we CAN change them! 

Hi Sheila Anderson! First of all, THANK YOU! I was talking to Ray last night and told him I got my 'Motivational Monday' graphic done and now, I just need to write a short paragraph and I'll be done! 

Well, the mind wanders, doesn't it?! LOL

Happy Monday!

Ahh, thank you, Sheila Anderson! I thought it was perfect to show my 'beat-the-bar' mindset! Okay, and yes, I LOVE FUR BABIES! LOL

Yes ma'am we most certainly do share that mindset - I think that's why I was immediately drawn to you here, Lottie Kendall! Positive people really do make such a difference when someone is going through something as scary as cancer or any other illness that they really don't know 'how' to fight. 

I'm in complete agreement with you, Brian England and my hubby would agree that I'm the first to say, I don't care what you look like when you're fighting, JUST FIGHT! I always follow up with, "I know, it's easy for me to say..." 

I know you're proud of your Mother - and you should be. No matter how hard she's fighting, she's always going to push you to be the best you can be. ❤️  

She did beat that evil disease for 19 full years and look what she was able to see - the birth of your son, watch him as he grew up and even graduating from high school - that is IMPRESSIVE, Sheri Sperry - MCNE®! 

I'd say she, quite handily, beat that bar! Had she not fought the fight she did, just as the doctors said, the outcome would have been totally different. I think for me, the mindset would have to be to fight the fight until they find a cure!!

It really can, George Souto - from the smallest of things to those horrible 'c' diagnoses, it makes a world of difference! 

Happy Monday to you too, Will Hamm! You know why I wrote this - the fight is sometimes overwhelming but, SO worth it.

You are so right, Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP! It has nothing to do with ANYTHING but, fighting the fight - nothing - no money, no success, no likes and it never matters what you look like while you're fighting either. What is so funny is that after battle and I was able to see her again, in her 'comfort zone' and in all of her glory, two things she said resonated with me - loudly...

1. "You never judged me." First of all, OF COURSE NOT!! But, secondly, and I wish I had had this conversation with her - had someone judged her in the past? Who? Such an amazing woman, I couldn't IMAGINE who would EVER judge her - other than to think she was a saint! 

2. "Me again." I'll never forget that. I had never had a pateint reflect that sense of being to me before. I did seek clarification there though - saying, "Me again! You're always you - beautiful inside and out." She explained that she gave up the fight to 'look good' on the outside so she could focus all of her energy on beating the disease. 

I believe that was a generational thing - always polished and never a hair out of place. The things we learn with experience, huh?! And, to your point, while she was fighting, her money didn't matter, her social status was never even a thought - the focus is on the WIN and she won - not only her battle but, everyone's heart who helped her win her battle. You can't put a price tag on that...or a million 'likes!' 

Hi Praful Thakkar! Thank you SO much for stopping by. We have missed you terribly and if you've been fighting this fight, please know that I am sending you all kinds of positive vibes! Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do for you. I know you have my number but, here it is again - (704) 491-3310.

Oh, thank you so much, John Juarez - and thank you for sharing your neighbor's story as well. I can totally relate to all that they have had together - so much to be thankful for - and, may he never surrender to it. Keep fighting the fight!

Well, thank you, Alan May! I would never do anything but, protect a patient's dignity either! In fact, that is part of the registered nurses' Code of Ethics:

“The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person” 

People say 'attitude is everything' when it comes to business, Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® - most have NO idea how patients like your mother put their attitudes to use, fighting the fight of their lives. I'm sure you were right there, fighting with her too, Rebecca.

"Beat the bar" if even by a day - it's a mental thing that gets you through every single day, Bob Crane! And, you're welcome - thank you for taking the time to read it and comment! 

Hey there my fellow nurse friend, Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland! I see other agents, clients, brokers, lenders, the whole enchilada, getting upset about the little things in our business, don't you? There are SO many 'bigger' things in life, including the fight that you are all-too familiar with, that is REALLY the 'big deal.'

I think that's why we have so many repeat clients - we take care of our clients like we did as nurses and don't let them know that we're worried about a thing! 

Hope you're having a wonderful start to the week, Margaret!

Your last statement tells me exactly why she was able to extend her life 3 more amazing years, Endre Barath, Jr. - 'She never thought that she would lose the battle.'  That makes a world of difference in your fight.

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. After knowing how hard she fought, I know it breaks your heart that she is gone but, know that her fight gave her 3 more years with you, her friends and family. 

Now that's a fight, James Dray! I love that the cancer didn't get him but, be careful with the familial history of heart disease, James. Be sure to keep a check on yours too!

You're so welcome, Wendy Rulnick! SO good to see you here. I hope you're doing well!

She and many more of my patients taught me so many lessons on tenacity, Lyn Sims. They were all truly motivational!

Oh, aren't you kind, John Henry! I'm happy to share and you know, they motivate me too. Recounting some of the experiences of my patients in my previous life helps get me through tough times sometimes as well!

Hey Doll! Love you too and I am 100% confident we will get through this - it's just a matter of time. That time includes smiles and tears - we take the good with the bad, right, Hannah Williams?  

Hi Jim Patton! I am so sorry to hear about your niece but, I do expect that with her being a fighter, she'll win - especially with you in her corner.  

Abby Stiller, I LOVE that quote and it's so true - it's the ONLY option in my opinion. At least, in my mind, it's the only one with a possible positive outcome! Right?

She truly was, Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 - she has inspired me on numerous occasions when standing with Ray to fight a battle. She taught me a lot about tenacity, as did many of my patients!

Michelle Carr Crowe,Altas Just Call...408-252-8900! You're so welcome - my patients taught me so much about the power of fighting and the will to live.

It truly is a fight - the fight of your life - and those who I have watched give it all they've got, truly inspire me in life, Grant Schneider!

You're so kind...and always intuitive too, Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP! I thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️ 💕 

Alan May - Indeed! And, we also have those in our business, despite a CoE that we have all vowed to follow. 

Have a wonderful weekend!