I admit it! I 'm a proud, card carrying member of the Flamingo Collectors Society. My 100+ flamingos grace my home and office and people I am meeting for the first time, laugh at the sight of the flamingos. Some roll their eyes; others are polite enough to question my love for flamingos. When questioned, I go into my spiel about these beautiful, endangered birds, when in flight are a magnificent sight. I briefly explain that my flamingos, while distinctively unusual, bring me happiness because of what they represent to me.
My flamingo "addiction" started shortly after I obtained my real estate license. These odd, and dare I say, at times, tacky creatures, make me laugh. They remind me of silly times with old friends and easier, less stressful times as a child. Let's face it. The business of real estate is serious stuff and we all play a dangerous game of being so wrapped up in our professional lives, we don't take the time to enjoy our life. We put our clients and customers ahead of our friends and families, and stress when months go by without a sale. We don't balance our lives to make it work as a cohesive connection between work and play. We don't want to give up control, and in the process we lose ourselves.
While not everyone will agree that flamingos are the way to go, they have taught me that life is way too short to quibble about things I have no control over and that pleasure in life can be found in the simplest things. When I am meeting with a client for the first time, making my clients laugh, is the point! It puts them at ease and helps make the entire process less stressful. When working with a client I always remain professional and hardworking, but my clients also know that I am someone who they can relate. I am where I am today because of flamingos and real estate. I have remained in touch with many former clients and in turn cherish what they brought into my life both professionally and socially. Many of my flamingos have been gifts from clients - another reason why my flamingos represent happiness to me! I haven't quiet gotten to the point of "smelling the roses" but I do laugh at the flamingos which in my mind just as good.
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