The Little Things Make the Difference

June 14th, 2011 by Christina Yeakel

It seems like yesterday that I started this series of newsletters for my favorite clients and friends. Looking back however this is my 63rd edition. In the beginning, I would never have thought that I would have this much to write about or ever dreamt that it would be interesting to those who received it monthly. I have been quite surprised on both counts!

On the first count, the real estate market in the past few years has fueled significant interest that has been a ready source for topics. I also have been fortunate to be the beneficiary of interesting and meaningful life experiences in and out of my work that provide the fuel for my creative juices. I enjoy sharing these experiences.

On the second count, this past month, my efforts to provide an appealing and timely newsletter were reaffirmed once again. I was pleasantly surprised when a new client who had been receiving the monthly publication for several years expressed that they look forward each month for its arrival. I asked them what they find interesting, and surprisingly, it was not the most current properties or comparables on the market in their neighborhood, but the narrative that drew their attention. Of course I thanked them for their sincere and unsolicited thoughts. Later, I thought to myself how special their words were to me. It actually brightened the rest of my day and affirmed that my efforts were not in vain.

The lesson of that day was very simple and clear to me; we can make a difference in someone’s life with little effort. A spoken word of a sincere thought that tells them that they are appreciated for what they do goes a long way. I now try to carry that thought daily to all those who provide a service to me. It could be food server, store clerk or maintenance worker; anyone who provides a service that deserves our appreciation, they will also relish an expression of our satisfaction. You might even include those closest to you. I am sure that family and friends are no exception.

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Fanfare of our Republic

October 6th, 2010 by Christina Yeakel

I just finished watching the final matches of the most celebrated bi-annual golf event, the Ryder Cup. This event pits the best of American golfers against their counterparts in Europe. It is a strange happening in that golf is normally not looked at as a team sport. However, there are exceptions in the amateur arena with college teams competing where individuals are less important than the overall effort of the team. Whether amateur or professional most people will agree that viewing golf on television is subdued, sometimes lifeless, with an occasional burst of crowd approval over a sensational shot. But on the professional side, the Ryder Cup and the President’s Cup are unique. It is interesting to watch golf in this format. There is not a moment that is not filled with the tension of the individual match as it plays into the overall point accumulation, leading to the eventual capture of the cherished Cup. 

I found that even though I did not have the opportunity to watch all the matches in the various formats, I was not dissatisfied. What enthralled me most was what occurred after the last ball dropped on the last match. The crowd, and even more surprising the players, came alive with congratulatory praise for their team’s undertakings. In this single moment, these individuals, who throughout the year in competition have little to say to each other, became one in their joy, accomplishments and even disappointments. If I could listen to the stirring “Fanfare for the Common Man” and watch this exhilarating finale at the same time, I believe that I too would be jumping with joy and a common sense of unity and achievement.

I believe that I have learned another lesson of life. No matter how insular or reclusive we become, or how much we may believe that our individual actions have no importance, collective unity of principle and intent will overcome most obstacles. We are a Nation of individuals, but collectively, we are a country with purpose and great resolve. Join in the Fanfare of our Republic; make your vote count in November.

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The American Dream

June 10th, 2010 by Christina Yeakel

Dreams, we all have them. Some we remember, most we do not recall. Others awake us with vivid recollection, sometimes containing frightful thoughts. Some, if we are fortunate, stay with us throughout the day with pleasant thoughts that refresh and shape our attitude at least for the day.

 However, the dreams that can affect us most are those that do not come to us in a night’s sleep. They are forged, normally in our early years, and refined as our life experiences allow. These are what I call Living Dreams. Most of us carry them around a lifetime; few are brought to fruition. The reasons may be numerous and individual, but it is popularly believed that most dreams are seemingly just beyond our reach no matter what our circumstances. However, I disagree with that premise.

  I see too many examples of clients achieving one of their life goals in home ownership. For some it has taken years of saving and sacrifice. Others may have been more fortunate and the ability to find the American Dream was attainable much earlier in life. This does not lessen the importance of their life goals, but merely allows them to redirect their desires and efforts.

  If you are to be persuaded by many of today’s economists, the American Dream is dead. It does not make financial sense and introduces unnecessary risk in an already fragile economy. It is said that this was a dream of our fathers and has little relevancy today. I surmise that in a highly transient and accelerated society that seeks change for its survivability and vibrancy, this type of thinking is germane. But maybe it is this thinking that perpetuates the economic and social problems that surround us. Perhaps if more people dreamed, planned and achieved home ownership, the American society as a whole would be more accountable and responsive to our families, neighbors and country, and our economy would thrive.

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