A Time to Reflect and Refocus

Its amazing to me how quickly I can lose myself.

A year ago I felt I was totally on track...I was building a successful business...I was driven and focused and could literally feel the momentum.

Cut to a year later and normally on the last day of the year I would have all my goals ready and anxiously anticipating putting them into action.

Now that isn't to say I do not have some very clear goals because I do! Like I must lose weight and take better care of my health this year and I need to reconnect with my more spiritual side...I guess what I'm really saying is I that I lack the direction or conviction that I once had.

I guess that'll happen when you've been rattled...was a year of reflection after my husband's father's death at our wedding and then my father's sudden death in the summer...you can't help but look at your life and deciding if you've chosen well or if changes need to be made. What can I say? I determined I fell off track somewhere along the line. Hard to nail down where exactly but I can honestly say now looking back - I got sucked in with my ego!

I have been living an ego-driven life these last few years. Pursuing external gratification, I certainly felt that I had something to prove...and maybe I even needed to do - but working to be popular and successful suddenly feels so empty and superficial. It's left a bad taste in my mouth. After all I'm always talking about 'being authentic' and true to myself. Think its about time I started walking the walk.

This is my declaration that I really don't know what the hell I'm going to do, but know that I must do something different. It really doesn't even matter if anyone reads this...all that matters is I declare to myself that its time to be ME. I have to accept myself as I am once and for all in order to be any good to anyone else. I have to acknowledge my gifts and purpose (when I've figured that out I'll let you know) and put them to good use. I have to spend more time being loving and accepting and available to the people that really matter to me. I am not a failure...I've just been on the wrong path.

I am ready to receive clarity and put my gifts and skills to better use to serve my family and my community.

Happy New LIFE!

Btw...if you knew you were going to die...and you knew you had a year to live...would you keep doing the same things?

If you want to be inspired watch the late Dr. Randy Pausch fighting pancreatic cancer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ya9BXClRw

Christmas Gratitude

I'll be honest. I've struggled this year with focusing on all of my blessings. We've had a few kicks...BUT today I want to focus on all the things I'm grateful for this year.

First and most important: My husband Tod.

He's been the best friend and support a girl could ask for. He gives regular back rubs and still opens the door for me. He tells me I'm beautiful when I feel like a fat cow. He makes me laugh on a daily basis! Don't know what I'd do without him!

My children continue to be a challenge but I realize when I take the time to focus - that they're teaching me how to be patient and look at my own shortcomings (of which there are many!) They say that what you don't like in someone else is often your own 'stuff' showing up as a reflection. I would say that's probably true. I know that no matter what, I love them with all my heart and will miss them terribly when they're not around.

My friends have become such an important part of my life. Old and new, my friends continue to encourage and support me...share laughs and good times....remind me of my good qualities (of which there are many!) Good times with my friends and knowing that when times are tough I have several people that would be there in a heart beat!

So this Christmas I have no need for presents. I am a rich woman!
Thank you all!
Merry Christmas!!

Give some time

Well I've had one helluva year - first my father in law died on my wedding day in Mexico in April and then my dad was killed by a bison while out for a morning walk while visiting a friends' ranch in August, and just this month my mother in law had 2 heart attacks.

Now I only bring it up because: we all tend to caught up in the little things and forget to look at the big picture. I've had no choice but to look at it this year and what I've determined is this: Relationships - TRUE relationships - are what really matter in this world.

As far as I know what people talk about regretting when they're lying on their death beds aren't the jobs they wish they took, or the money they made, but the relationships that they didn't give enough time to, or the failure to show someone how much they loved them.

It is my sincere wish that everyone really stop and take a moment and consider what's most important. True friends and family. Time is all we truly have to give...make sure to give it to those that matter in your life.

My Podcast interview with Mhairi Petrovic owner Outsmarts!

http://www.out-smarts.com/2009/05/27/the-out-smarts-podcast-27-twittering-with-teri-lyn-conrad/

Langley Townhouse/ Condo Market is HOT!

I've been working with a few clients in the market for a new townhouse in Langley. For the past few weeks I've seen practically EVERY townhouse complex in Willoughby and Clayton. That's 40 + complexes!

Needless to say I can tell you that the market is HOT! Yes it is still a Buyer's market, but every day more and more inventory is being sold - sometimes right our from under us before we even have a chance to view it!

Properties are selling at or slightly above assessed value which is up from this time last year! Very positive! The rush to get pre approved at unbeatable low interest rates is surely part of the equation!

Spring /Summer is always the most active time of the year so if you've been thinking about selling, now may very well be a good time!

Call me for more information!

THE STV-BC

I have recently been alerted to former MLA Christy Clark's opinion on STV-BC. http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=77240258619&h=bKfp3&u=6Colq&ref=nf

I respect Christy Clark...clearly smart lady...however she should know better than anyone that no system is perfect.

My interests and income have no bearing on my vote...but because I'm involved in many committee meetings I know (and Christy should remember) that without a firm agenda it is often impossible to achieve anything. I can't help but wonder how 'stuck in the mud' government would be with numerous MLA's and no one agenda!

Have people forgotten the purpose of governent? Government is in place to keep things running. Different people and lobby groups have their own reasons for which parties they support and I think its very short sighted and dare I say 'pollyanna' to believe that simply changing the electoral system is going to radically improve their own power of influence.

It's all fine and wonderful to have fair representation - but at the end of the day -who will the MLA's represent? Their constituency will be huge and they'll all be competing against eachother! I see huge problems with egos and inauthenticity vying for your continued support.

That's my opinion - feel free to try to change it!

Cheers!

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Edmonds Clean Sweep

Edmonds Clean Sweep
Originally uploaded by Cory Permack

What a great day to spend with our friends from Twitter helping Ethos Dev (aka Peter Kefalas of Bella Living) clean up Edmonds community in Burnaby.

There was a slight debate around the virtues of suggesting a neighborhood needs cleaning up from a marketing point of view - especially when you're trying to sell condos like Bella, but I think we established well today that when friends and community members come together its extremely positive for everyone involved!

Any Developer who is willing to organize and contribute the way the Bella developer Peter Kefalas did is making a strong contribution to his community.

I'm a big fan of the corporations who can remember their community and I believe strongly that Edmonds community is going to be that much stronger for having Bella condos development! The Kefalas family is dedicated to building strong relations and I'm sure will continue to be active members! Other developers should take note!

New Role in Langley Township

Many of you know by now that I've been appointed to the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Our role is to ADVISE the committee who then takes are recommendations and advises Township of Langley Council.

Our first meeting was an introduction to each other and to the Honorable Mayor Rick Green. Councillor Jordan Bateman is our council member who will be attending all meetings and we shall meet the first Wednesday of every month.

As we built our strategic plan for the year, one of the mandates we established was to collect as much information. We are wanting to encourage industrial growth in our township and compete against other municipalities in the lower mainland.

How can we set ourselves apart? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl 4 Kids Sake!

I had the great fortune of participating in Langley's Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl 4 Kids Sake over the weekend and we had a ball! (bowling ball! - oh ok boo hiss - bad joke!) Anyway - my office (Royal LePage Wolstencroft Realty in Langley) raised almost $2700.00!! We raised the 2nd highest amount! And I personally raised over $600!

Mary Reeves - Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters did an AMAZING job of organizing this event and ensured that everyone had a great time! She tirelessly plugs along soliciting funds for a cause she really believes in. I have some respect and admiration for Mary, as does anyone who's ever known her.

I just want to thank Mary for her very important work and let Langley know what a precious gem we have working amongst us!



Cheers Mary and congrats for another amazing event! Can't wait until the golf tournament this summer!