Thank you to Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran thoughtful July ActiveRain Challenge. When I read the prompt—how have you changed?, my mind immediately went back to where I started in real estate: filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and questions I didn’t yet have answers for.
Anxiety can feel like a fog settling in, clouding every decision and whispering doubt into every thought. At that time in my life, I was a single mom suddenly faced with the overwhelming task of rebuilding a future, not just for me, but for my children. I had to act quickly, yet every choice felt paralyzing.
I knew I had a solid education behind me, but the pressure of figuring out what was next felt immense. I started by evaluating my strengths and asking myself what I could genuinely see myself doing, not just to earn a paycheck, but to find purpose.
Again and again, my thoughts circled back to real estate. It wasn’t just a career, it was a calling. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I was. But I enrolled in classes, passed my exam, and found a brokerage willing to take a chance on me. And most importantly, I made a conscious choice: anxiety would not define me.
One quote in particular helped me stay centered through the storm. Arthur Somers Roche once wrote,
“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” Every time anxiety crept in, I turned to that quote and reminded myself I was stronger than my fear.
So how have I changed?
I’ve learned that when one door closes, another opens, but only if you’re brave enough to knock. With time, support from my friends and family, and a belief in my own potential, I quieted the self-doubt. My business began to flourish. I met my husband Geno. And over the years, I traded fear for confidence and uncertainty for joy.
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These days, I keep anxiety at bay by walking daily, soaking in the beauty of nature, staying active with my grandkids, and savoring time with my clients and friends. And if those old feelings try to sneak back in, I reflect on another powerful quote by Deepak Chopra:
“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.”
If I had to sum it all up, I’d turn to one of my favorite quotes from Grenville Kleiser:
“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It’s the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.”
That’s how I’ve changed. And I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
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