The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Do Something Different

Last night Stephanie and I had a lovely dinner in Doylestown at The Vine and Fig Tree Bistro, which is a beautiful little town outside of Philadelphia.  On the drive there, I realized I had never had dinner in Doylestown as we typically stay in Philadelphia outside of making it to New Hope once in awhile.  I recalled saying that it was really nice to do something different.  And what a pleasure it was !

I believe it is important to continue to do different things as life is short.  Too often folks get stuck in a rut, of normalcy and patterns, not realizing all the things they are missing out on.  So why not plan that special dinner out now or plan for that vacation ?  Just do it, you will be happy you did.

This also applies to business.  Think about what you could be doing differently that you are not doing now.  Is it Social Media ? Blogging ?  Targeting a specific niche such as single mothers or senior citizens ?   Often times, it starts with your thoughts.   If you find yourself thinking negatively or need to spur some creativity, try something different.  Maybe read some interesting books ?  What inspires you ? Take a drive through that countryside or town you have been thinking about.  Do a yoga class that you have been talking about.  

I will share a secret with you:  You become what you think about.  Your thoughts are the keys to success, thinking about what you can do different today to be more successful tomorrow.  Or more spiritually fulfilled, happier, whatever your goal, it can be accomplished !!

What are you going to do different ?

College Graduations - Reminiscent and Inspiring

Last weekend I had the pleasure of being present for my niece's graduation at Hobart William Smith College in Geneva, NY.   The drive to and from Philadelphia brought upon reflection and inspiration.  It is amazing how fast time has flown as it is hard to believe my niece is now a college graduate !  I met my family at a beautiful cottage not far from the campus and the time spent with them over the weekend was well worth the drive as well.  It is not too often that both myself and my 2 sisters as well as my parents are under one roof !

The campus was divine and there was so much energy and happiness from the graduates as well as from their friends and family.  In a time where the economy and consumer confidence is low, I was inspired by this energy and vigor with all these youngsters full of passion and ideology that are coming into the world as well as the work-force.  The positive energy I felt being there is still with me today.

I could not help but remember that it has been 19 years since I graduated from the University of Maryland, a young man not having any idea where I would end up nor how I would get there.  Yet, I was so full of energy and hope.  I was ready to jump and believed that the net would appear.  Even today, I believe that as well - I am just not as much of a risk taker as I was then ! 

We can all take a moment and reflect how beautiful life is and how short it can be as well.  Those young energetic college graduates sure did inspire me to continue to take that extra step towards greatness and awareness.  Below are some additional photos of the graduation:

What will inspire you today ?

Related Posts:

Contemplating the Future

Is Memory a Learned Skill or an Inherent Ability ?

If interested in buying or selling properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612 . You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter .  For investment properties, check out our new investor site at Philly Investor Hub !

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Is what we see and think the truth ?

I try to have a positive attitude every day, but sometimes I do not.  On many days, I can be very very hard on myself.   If I make a mistake that I regret or do something that I should not have done or said something I should not have said, I can get down on myself.  A very bad day is when many of these items happen at once.  On those days, I can start to feel very bad and think very negative feelings, feeling like a failure, thinking I am a failure, falling into the spiral of depression and so forth...

Fortunately I am married to a beautiful person - Stephanie.  She is my support and reminds me of who I am and reminds me it is okay to make a mistake.  When I get like that I realize the power of perception - how irrational one's thoughts can be and how my perception is not close to being reality.

These times are also a good time for faith and belief.  Belief that everything is going to be okay and having faith in a higher power that provides for strength.  Sometimes just going for a walk or reading something inpirational will trigger that reminder and provide for a smile and awareness that life is beautiful. 

Also, the power of this type of thinking can be reversed as well.  Positive thinking and positive energy can lead to a success mindset.  I believe we become what we think about.   If we are thinking confident, we will be confident.

This is one of the reasons that exercise is so important as it clears the mind and provides for positve energy.  Yoga works wonders for Stephanie and myself.  If one has balance in their life and has people that love and care about them, the support system really helps a person maintain a positive outlook.  To love and to be loved is what can provide beauty and gratitude in one's life.

So on those days or a moment in a day when I am thinking negative or feeling like a failure or down and out, I try to catch myself in that lie.  And remember all the things in life I am thankful for and how beautiful life really is.  Besides, the things that get me upset typically are relatively trivial and have no great impact in the big picture.  But in the moment I think people can let those things have power over them.  It is great to have the strength and the awareness to not let that happen... and to just SMILE instead.

What do you do when your perception is not reality ?