The Greatest GIFT!

GIVING OF ONESELF: I realized I could actually MAKE my own Christmas presents this year -- so while I'm sorry some retailers may miss out on my dollars -- I am not sorry that the gifts I give will have that homey touch of a person who cares enough about them to dedicate my time to create something that expresses a feeling of gratitude. I am thankful for my loyal clients and colleagues. I care that some of you have kindly expressed your concern and support for the many in our industry affected by our economic debacle. Care is the gift we most need and the one we have most abundantly to share with all who come our way. Our sickness, worry, fear and national crises can be cured with compassionate care if we all put our minds to it!

SEIZE THE MOMENT: NOW is the moment we can do something. Now, while we have breath in our bodies and time on our side. Now while we are are moving, thinking and contributing creatively to what is and what can be achieved with our own two hands. What will I do about my own little lot in life? Today I will make someone smile. Today I will listen to someone's concerns as if they are my own. Today I will use my ability to negotiate better terms for a person in need of an ally. Today I will be thankful for what I have, not what I wish I had.

WHAT IS not WHAT IF: I spent half the morning recently listening to a client lamenting the past and worrying about the future. that person deserved my time. He was in shock about the changes to financing. He could have spent less this year for consumer goods. He might loose his job next year. That was one sad fellow. I tried to remind him of his options in 'the now'. If we only lower his payment to keep afloat it will be worth doing that now. If he waits until he get a pink slip we can't help. Is that ethical? In one sense we all try to predict the future...but what is real is what matters. This person's impending balloon note increase will get him long before his imagined loss of income might, if ever.

As my old holly roller friends in the hills of my youth used to spout: "Repent or Perish!". They had another kind of repenting in mind and another kind of perishing as I recall...but the message is the same. We can repent our backward lamenting forward fearing ways and get on with life. It is after all, the only one we have.

So--savor the flavor of now! And speaking of savoring...try on a 5.0% or better 30 year fixed refinance for size and you might find something to celebrate right in the here and now....Hallelujah!

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susan templeton www.loannetter.com

washington loan officer license 510-LO-31434 branch license: 510-MB-24707-50145