Tag Archives: gratitude

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Be Thankful

A reminder to be thankful on thanksgiving and all the other days, too.

These words from an unknown poet remind me to be thankful on Thanksgiving and all the other days, too.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times, you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

I love the thought that Thanksgiving is less of a meal and more of a mindset. May your Thanksgiving be filled with friends, family, love and all that is important to you.

Matt

P.S. We are grateful to our friends, family and clients for their support of our real estate business and we always have time to help new clients.  Who do you know that would benefit from our help?  Please send me a message to let me know.

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I Wish You Enough

I once read a story about an old man who was saying goodbye to his daughter at the airport. The daughter was going on an overseas assignment, and the old man felt it would be the last time he would see her.

As they were saying their final goodbyes at the gate, the old man said to his daughter, “I love you, and I wish you enough.”

Afterwards, another man who was waiting at the gate asked the old man what he had meant by saying, “I wish you enough.”I Wish you enough

The old man smiled and said, “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

“When we said ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,” he said.

“We meant, ‘I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough Hello’s to get you through the final Good-bye.’”

I love that sentiment. It reminds me that the pain in life has an upside, and the highs in life don’t last forever, so don’t take them for granted. As you gear up for the rest of this great year, I want you to know that I wish you enough in all things so that you find the right balance.

Sincerely, Matt Haviland Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S. Let me know how you’re doing on your New Year’s resolutions/goals. I’m at SJhouses.com or 609-338-3773 and you can download and view my full February newsletter here:  2016 Newsletter- Matt

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My Inspiration for Your New Year’s Resolutions

I’m inspired by the following story to set some New Year’s resolutions, not only about being kind
to others, but also about being kinder to myself. What do you think? Here’s the story:
On the way back from work every evening, more often than not, there would be a homeless
man standing at the exit ramp of the freeway.

He waved at every car. He was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.
Every day after work I would gather my spare change, and put it aside to give to him if I saw
him. A feeling of joy would come over me whenever he was there as I came off the ramp. He
had that effect. His joy was infectious. Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and
we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, “I’m blessed!”
Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and told that I was being let go due to some
mistakes I had made on a recent project.

Winter on the Mill Pond in Port Republic, NJ

Winter on the Mill Pond in Port Republic, NJ

Needless to say that on my way home that day I was upset. I started calling myself names and
reviewing everything I had done wrong. I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the
homeless man would be. Yet there he was as always, smiling and waving.

I’d hoped to catch the green light, but missed it. He set his eyes on me, as he strolled over to
my car. When he reached me, he gave me an even bigger smile than usual and said, “Today I
will give you a dollar.” He pulled a dollar out of his pocket and pressed it into my hand. I burst
into tears. I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him!

In hindsight, I know he helped me remember that no matter what I’d lost, I still had the choice to
be joyful in my present circumstances. I had no job and no savings, but in that moment, I
suddenly felt like I could deal with it. I vowed to stop beating myself up and get on with life with a
smile on my face and more kindness to others than ever before.

Sincerely,
Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S. I hope your New Year’s resolutions are full of heart and joy. Please let me know if this
story inspires you as it did me.  Contact me at this site or 609-338-3773

P.P.S.  For more stories and inspiration download or view my January Newsletter here:  Jan 2016 Newsletter – Matt