Something for God's "Good Vibrations" Folder?

It's one thing to see a gorgeous rainbow but it's another to have the opportunity to catch a double rainbow in total view from end to end.

Ingredients for a Positive Vibrations Folder

So we've talked about what a "Good Vibrations" folder is, now let's talk about what goes in it...

Here are a few more examples of some of the items found in my folder. I must say, it was quite fun and empowering to flip through all of the stuff in there today. I have cards and emails and photos that go back almost 5 years. It's probably about 3 inches thick.

Note cards from past students and agents I have managed...

Humorous cards from former students...

Emails or drawings from the kids...

...or anything else that might make you feel good...when you first receive it...and again when you look back at it weeks, months or even years later.

So tell me...what's going to go in your "Good Vibrations" folder?

I'm Picking Up Good Vibrations

We've spent some time over the last few posts discussing the importance of a positive attitude when it comes to real estate and life in general. Plenty of things can impact our attitude - people, places, events and even memories.

Author John Maxwell says "there are two kinds of people in life; those who lift us and those who lean on us." We need to consciously surround ourselves with "lifters" and be a "lifter" ourselves to those we know and love.

One of the ways I have found to improve my chances of maintaining a positive attitude is with a "Good Vibrations" folder. Maybe yours will be called a "Feelin' Groovy" file or a "Have a Nice Day" folder but whatever it is, it becomes a source of smiles, laughter and solid dosage of positivity.

So what goes in a "Good Vibrations" folder? It could be anything that brings you joy - a photo of your children or grandchildren, a thank-you note from a past client, a message from your manager or even a funny story or email you may have received.

You just need a basic manila folder or a shoebox where you can keep these items. Think of it as your office "refrigerator" and instead of hanging the kids artwork or grand kids photos on the fridge at home, you'll have them within arms reach of your desktop.

I also recommend creating a virtual "Good Vibes" folder on your computer for those positive emails, funny jokes and links to great websites. You'll be able to access these items anywhere you have your computer - Open houses, home inspections or those slow afternoons on phone duty.

I encourage you to start accumulating items for your "Good Vibrations" folder so you'll always have a dose of positivity within reach. In our next post, I'll share some of the things in my "Good Vibrations" folder so you'll have an idea of what to add to your own.

And Now, a Dose of Positivity

Every now and then you come across something that just hits you as a"good thing." I found this video as a result of a great blog that I subscribe to called Escape from Cubicle Nation. I'm not sure how I came across the blog itself but I did and I like it and I subscribe to it but most importantly, I read it when it comes to my inbox.

It always causes me to think and as Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Nothing pains some people more than having to think." This site always causes me to think.

In my next post, we'll talk about creating a "Good Vibrations" folder. This video is the kind of things that would go in it.

A Lesson About Attitude

The Cracked Pot


A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there
were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take every person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

Blessings to all of you, my crackpot friends!