Every time I drive through Brier, I feel sad. I feel like a failure because I remember my mistakes and those of others. It is an adorable community that makes Seattle feel friendly. My very first Washington State listing was in Brier and I got lost on the way. It is very windy (not the wind) and the home was on a cul de sac and the evening – dark. The transaction had a good outcome but why do I only remember the embarrassment? More recently (but before retirement), an exercise buddy introduced me to his sister about selling her home in, you guessed it, Brier. It was over-improved and near power lines, but a builder had built nearby and the home made sense as land-value. I was right as I usually am. It was during covid and I had on a mask that kept fogging my glasses. I looked like a dork. The widow/owner was nice but I could not make good eye contact. People normally like me but I was not earning her business because I was not telling her what she wanted to hear. My thought, as I followed up often, was to contact the nearby builder. I did get another builder to come tour but she told me she was going to wait another year and I believed her. Fast-forward to demolition and she had contacted the builders agent to cut me out. It upset me for about a minute because I know I don’t control others. When she said to hold off my instinct was to continue to help her then let her decide, but I had failed by not winning her confidence. I am very proud of the two real estate businesses I built in two states. There was nothing, then with God’s guidance and my perseverance, there was a business. It was a miracle to be able to earn and have more time, than most working moms, with my children. Why oh why do I experience, again, that feeling of failure which was not the norm? I pray to be free of regrets and recollection of disappointments. Brier is a cute little town and I look forward to driving its green and sunny lanes without feeling like an idiot. Is it of value to feel stupid? I know learning from my mistakes has value but is my selective memory a means to keep my arrogance in check? I prefer to feel some managed pride in the successes and accept my imperfections. If anyone has a good way to forget things that cannot be changed, please let me know and thanks in advance.
