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The ABCs of Life: V

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

"Hold fast to what fills your heart. Let go of what no longer serves you."
– Unknown

Dear Michelle,

Let’s talk about a “sticky” subject today: Velcro.

It might not sound like a grand life lesson at first, but stick with me. 😉 There’s more to it than just keeping your shoes on.

In life, you’ll find that some things are meant to stick, like kindness, integrity, laughter, and those friends who cheer you on whether you’re having a bad day or a great one. These are the keepers, your “Velcro gang,” the ones who hold you together when everything else feels like it’s coming undone.

Who’s in your Velcro gang? I hope it’s filled with people who make you feel seen, safe, and strong.

Then there are the things you need to peel off, like other people’s expectations, old regrets, self-doubt, or the habit of saying yes when your heart wants to say no. Those things might cling at first, but you don’t have to carry what no longer fits. Let them go, lovingly and firmly.

Velcro also reminds me of how connections are made. Two different sides come together with a common purpose, and they become fast friends. Some relationships will click into place like that. Others won’t, and that’s okay, too. You don’t need everything to stick.

There’s a verse in 1 Thessalonians that says:
“Hold on to what is good. Reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, NIV)

That’s Velcro wisdom in scripture form. Life will hand you a mix of experiences, people, and ideas. Your job isn’t to hold on to everything. Your job is to pause and decide what’s worth clinging to. Keep what lifts you up, encourages your spirit, and aligns with your values. Let the rest fall away.

So, as you walk through life, notice what’s sticking and make sure it’s what you want to carry.

And whatever you do, stick to your dreams.

Love,
Grandma Carol

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!



Comments(15)

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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh, I love the velcro analogy. And it's so true - sometimes it's necessary to pull that velcro apart and sometimes to stick it together to keep things close. I was wondering where the "V" was going to go!

Apr 21, 2025 04:55 AM
Carol Williams

Good morning, Kat.
I'm glad you liked it. Once I thought of Velcro, it just "stuck" and I had to use it. 😁

Apr 21, 2025 06:36 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Carol - as I wondered about your alphabet approach to the lessons of life, the letter "v" along with a few others came to mind.  Admittedly, Velcro wasn't among that thinking.  With this post, I can see how it can make a point stick in your mind.  Effectively.  

Apr 21, 2025 05:15 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Michael Jacobs 
I'm not surprised Velcro wasn't among your list of possibilities for this entry into my series. Thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings.

Apr 21, 2025 06:37 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Carol... well! I sure never saw this velcro analogy coming! Simple brilliant!

Apr 21, 2025 05:19 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker 
I thought I'd surprise you with this letter. Your suggestions were great, but once I thought of Velcro it just stuck! 😊

Apr 21, 2025 06:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Carol Williams no complaints from me!

Apr 21, 2025 06:42 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Carol. While I never considered the Velcro analogy, it has applied to my line of thinking most of my life. Thanks! Enjoy your day.

Apr 21, 2025 05:48 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Wayne Martin 
I thought Velcro would be a surprise to everyone. Looks like I was right.

Apr 21, 2025 06:39 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I am certainly familiar with velcro and it is important for families to stick together like velcro, haha.

Apr 21, 2025 07:06 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Brian,

I agree that strong family bonds can be a beautiful thing, but I’ve also learned that not all “Velcro connections” are healthy.

Sometimes, sticking with certain people (family included) can hold us back or even cause harm. In those cases, learning when and how to gently peel away is an act of self-care, not disloyalty. Velcro teaches us both... to hold on when it’s right, and to let go when it’s necessary. I think one of my previous letters dealt with that reality. 

I know you have a strong and healthy family and I love that!!!

 

Apr 21, 2025 08:25 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Carol this is an important life lesson that unfortunately many go through life not learning.  It is important to hold on to what is good in our lives, but we cannot be afraid to say know to what is not.  NO can be a good thing.

Apr 21, 2025 07:35 AM
Carol Williams

Hi George Souto 
It's hard to break certain connections, even when it's unhealthy. We have to hold fast to those that feed our soul.

Apr 21, 2025 08:28 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Miss Carol Williams - letting go is huge - easier said than done, however. 

I recently had an awakening when I realized the issues I was having with someone were that they were "evil".  The minute I realized that ... I instantly let it go - let them go - and restored peace in my heart.  

“Hold on to what is good. Reject every kind of evil.” 

Apr 21, 2025 07:59 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 
Evil people confuse me. Do they not have a conscience? I have concluded they don't.

Apr 21, 2025 08:29 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Carol, I would not have thought about velcro but this is absolutely true!

Apr 21, 2025 08:16 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Joan Cox 
I'm glad I thought of the word "Velcro" for this letter. It was a fun one to work with.

Apr 21, 2025 08:30 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

BananaTUDES~ has verified the veracity of Velcro!

 

Apr 21, 2025 09:10 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks, Kat Palmiotti 
It's always nice to be verified. 😁

Apr 21, 2025 10:23 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Velcro now what a fun and creative analogy Carol!  It so fits!  Makes me smile thinking of doing and undoing those little velcro strips.......in many different versions!

Apr 21, 2025 11:22 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Anna "Banana" Kruchten 
Glad it made you smile. Life definitely has its share of Velcro moments in all shapes and sounds!

Apr 22, 2025 08:14 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Leave it to you, Carol, the ultimate word wizard, to hilariously trip over some delightfully “quirky and wonky” yet profoundly meaningful words, like a clumsy unicorn on a rainbow, just when the rest of the world is unaware of their whimsical existence!

Apr 21, 2025 01:10 PM
Carol Williams

Hey Aura Alex 

If I’m a unicorn, I'm definitely a clumsy one... tripping over words. I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Thanks for always sprinkling a little extra sparkle on my day!

 

Apr 22, 2025 08:18 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Carol- one of my favorite "inventions" of all time...velcro!  What an apt analogy! Something we can teach or pass on to the young people in our lives is the freedom to say "no" whether it's to an action or a type of person. 

Apr 21, 2025 07:14 PM
Carol Williams

Hi Kathy Streib 
The sooner we learn that lesson the better. "Yes", isn't always the right answer.

Apr 22, 2025 08:21 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Carol, for sharing this special letter. I posted your blog on X.

Apr 22, 2025 08:31 AM
Carol Williams

Thank you, Roy Kelley 
I'm pleased you like it.

Apr 22, 2025 08:37 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
Inactive/Semi Retired Real Estate Agent

Hi Carol Williams - What a wise usage of the letter "V!" Your blog post and the comment by George Souto stick together like strong Velcro. Plus, it's memorable! I really like how you summed up your letter in those last three paragraphs. Well done, Carol!

Apr 23, 2025 05:39 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Carol:

What a clever and creative analogy for sharing some very important and valuable life lessons. Thank you for such wonderful insights.

Only 4 more letters to go!

Jeff

Apr 24, 2025 10:26 AM