What are you focusing on?

I have been watching people lately.  Actually, I've been doing more listening than watching.  I am a public school teacher from late August until early June.  The rest of the time I am working on my RE stuff.  I frequently am blessed with the opportunity to hear what people really think by listening to their kids.  The kids are obliviously honest.  They will tell me about their economic situation without any reservation.  They will also tell me what they think, or what their parents think, about the current economic times whether I ask or not.  It troubles me to see 10 year olds with their spirit crushed by negative generalities and their own current situations.

For example, the students will bring up the conversation about how much things stink and there are no jobs to anywhere.  They will futher espouse that their relative has been out of work for so many months and how dooomed we all are.  At first I had no idea how to react other than saying I'm sorry.  This past year I had a different response.

My repsonse this past year would begin with some pointed questions.  I would calm the class down and ask if any of them went out to eat last night.  How many families bought a car in the last year?  How many of you went grocery shopping?  Hopw many of you joined an athletic league and played in games?  When you were on the school bus this morning did you happen to notice any nice cars?  Did you see any businesses open for the day?

Most of the responses would be in the positive direction.  I would then point out that all of those represent jobs and money.  People out there do have jobs and they do have money.  There are people out ther making it everyday.  I am not trying to make fun of their current condidtion or position in life.  Uncle Johnny being long term unemployed is very real.  However, it doesn't have to be permanent.  I would explain, sure there are bad things going on, but what you choose to look at is your choice.

I never told them they could be rich or that all they had to do is dream it and it would come true.  All I told them is that they can choose to see the good or they can choose to see the bad.  It is a choice.

I guess the moral of this post is two things.  First is be careful what you are feeding your kids.  They literally are your parrots. They look up to you and watch you whether you know it or not.  Second, be careful of what you focus on.  Don't let the negative news take control of you.  If that happens it will be like putting a blindfold on, all opportunites to prosper fade from sight.

I think the very fact that you are here on BP says a lot about you.  You have chosen to see the positive rather than dwell on the negative.  You, also, have chosen to express and interest in real estate as a vehicle to make your mark with.  Ata boy for you!  You have taken some positive, first steps in choosing your reality.  Welcome aboard and happy hunting.