History Plays a Part. . .

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

 

History Plays a Part. . .        

 

 

There’s history.  Likely, each of us recognize things happen. And don’t happen.  The reasons "why" they occur is subject to interpretation. Speculation, as well.

 

The past can be recalled in many ways.  Solving or attempting to make sense of such stories may involve the search for clues. Facts, fairy tales and fables along with all sorts of fictionalized reports are just a few reminders that may surface. It seems they are gathered from a variety of sources.  I understand that such differences can fuel discussion.  Yes, I digress. 

 

This is my story of lessons learned personally and from business. Over the years, I have written about interconnectedness.    My own history of repetition has been expressed in many posts and casual conversation.

 

In her announcement post of this month’s AR Challenge, Carol Williams shared a quote from Don Williams, Jr

 

The road of life twists and turns

and

no two directions are ever the same. 

Yet our lessons come from the journey,

not the destination.  

 

As I have previously said (see, I told you repetition is a part of my modus operandi) - I have never been in tune with music. I kinda knew of Mr Williams (no relation to Carol, right?) but some extra digging led to additional insight.  However, it was his words of wisdom shared by Carol which kept my brain cells churning. 

 

Digging in the dirt along the side yard of my childhood home taught me a few things.  Organization skills were important. Making sure my toy trucks were in proper operation was necessary.  I am sure my memory of early day tidiness might be challenged by my mom but that's recollection for you, right?  Establishing a toy car lot was another childhood lesson where my skills in promotion and proper presentation were being learned. 

 

Although real estate wasn’t my first career, I believe there is a relationship with an earlier time spent working in the retail industry.  Understanding the players in any transaction is wise in my opinion. 

 

I acknowledge our travels include different routes as we arrive at a place that works for us. Putting yourself into the shoes of another helps you find a good fit in my opinion. I believe there is a commonality discovered as we continue on a thoughtful learning path.  Especially from each other. From our own past, too.

 

Thank you to Carol and Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker for co-hosting this month’s challenge.  This road and my journey remain under construction.

 

As for the image in this post, the work caught my eye long ago. Beyond that, my memory about it is rather fuzzy. Finding this photo of it, reminded me of it. And that's part of my history.

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Comments (38)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great post for the challenge Michael. 

That pic certainly made me a bit dizzy. I really loved the image of little Michael playing with his toy cars and trucks.

Aug 04, 2023 01:14 PM
Michael Jacobs

Sharon Tara - I can still recall the "basics" of that operation. It included a copy of an expired Kelley Blue Book (ask Rick if you need clarification but I think you likely know the reference) gifted by one of my mom's relatives who was in the finance business.   📘📘📘

Aug 04, 2023 02:01 PM
Sharon Tara

Michael Jacobs I do know the reference, and that makes the story even better! 

Aug 06, 2023 08:01 AM
Michael Jacobs

Sharon Tara - I was pretty sure I wasn't going to put a wrench into your thinking.  🔧🧠🚘🧠🔧  

Aug 06, 2023 08:11 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Reading about your experience playing in the dirt of your side yard, brought a memory to mind.  I grew up in a home that had a spot under our back stairs that had dirt.  I played there by the hours.

Aug 04, 2023 05:07 PM
Michael Jacobs

Myrl Jeffcoat - I was a toddler and my sister was six months old when my parents bought their brand new home.  Not sure of the reason, but my mom had white wall-to-wall carpeting installed.  There is an attached garage with back door access into the house (utility room with linoleum flooring).  As I recall, I was hosed down with water before stepping into the house).  

Aug 04, 2023 05:53 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Michael, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Aug 04, 2023 05:08 PM
Michael Jacobs

Myrl Jeffcoat - with each passing moment and memory OFC membership becomes a more appropriate fit.  

Aug 04, 2023 05:54 PM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We have a lesson available to us for every bump in the road we travel. Whether we learn that lesson is another story. I never thought to line up my cars and trucks.

Aug 05, 2023 01:37 PM
Michael Jacobs

Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754 - you're right about those bumps - they can present all kinds of possibilities.   I started observing as a child.  When seeing car lots, I was impressed with their presentation skills.   It obviously made an impression for me.  

Aug 05, 2023 04:42 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Michael. Life's journey is full of history lessons. It's amazing to look back to see all the things that we have learned along the way. We can learn from all the good and bad decisions that we made along the way. 

Aug 06, 2023 07:15 AM
Michael Jacobs

Jerry Newman - your comment makes me think of the saying about the windshield and the rear-view mirror of an automobile. 

Each is important.  Independently and in combination too.  And the interconnectedness of the mess that can be created when collisions of all kinds occur can be avoided.    

Aug 06, 2023 07:50 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

We are journeying daily and our pasts accrue a lifetime of experiences that mold and shape us with intention. Hope yours and my final destination is much, much further down the road, Michael!

Aug 06, 2023 06:26 PM
Michael Jacobs

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! - may the happy days continue with more yet to come.  

Aug 08, 2023 10:01 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom

Funny how much we learn as children comes back to us as adults and we take those lessons for granted. Great post and thank you for sharing.

Aug 08, 2023 11:39 AM
Michael Jacobs

Leanne Smith - lessons learned in adolescence aren't necessarily child's play.  That classroom is immense.  

Aug 08, 2023 04:00 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

We had a common appreciation for trucks!  Playing in the dirt helped us both concentrate on those small tasks and orderliness!  I appreciate that!  When I first opened your post, that photo made me dizzy just thinking of what that was like in person.  What is your connection to that photo?  Coincidentally, my oldest daughter has a retail career that escalated to management - now she's in new construction real estate and was just promoted to a district manager.  I can see how those worlds align!

Aug 08, 2023 03:17 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ - the photo is from a photograph of a small framed photographic "find" I purchased decades ago.  It is gone now but I think it was a reproduction of a story from New York City sometime in the twentieth century.  I understand the dizziness you felt - I am not fond of heights.  

Worlds of all kinds align (and don't) in all sorts of situations.  Congrats to your daughter.  

Aug 08, 2023 04:08 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

No wonder!  I've seen it before and was instantly dialed into reading your post!   Thank you!

Aug 08, 2023 04:16 PM
Mike McCann - Nebraska Farm Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farmland Broker-Auctioneer Serving Rural Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm Land For Sale 308-627-3700 or 800-241-3940

Thank you for sharing Michael Jacobs See...I do get around to other blogs...it is just that most of my comments are so mundane and basic...I rarely leave them.  Am trying to do better!! Have a great weekend!

Aug 11, 2023 06:11 AM
Michael Jacobs

Mike McCann - Nebraska Farm Land Broker - my AR participation, posting and commenting, has definitely changed over the years.  Sometimes it's just reading.  It's all good. . .   

Aug 11, 2023 06:32 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

It is amazing to me how things we did or experienced as children formed our adulthood!  I loved your post Michael Jacobs and I absolutely loved the picture you posted!  I am actually fearful of heights and cannot even begin to imagine doing what those acrobats did!  Crazy Stuff!

Aug 13, 2023 11:49 AM
Michael Jacobs

Diana Dahlberg - I apologize for my tardiness in response to your comment and I appreciate the sentiment you shared in it very much.  And that includes my affection for heights especially as demonstrated in that image.  

Aug 21, 2023 11:00 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Michael Jacobs No biggie!  I was verily amazed at your post!

Aug 21, 2023 12:43 PM
Michael Jacobs

Diana Dahlberg - images of heights can prompt some lofty thoughts on occasion.  🚵✈️👠 are only a few.  

Aug 21, 2023 01:00 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

At my birthday lunch with family members, we talked our memories of long ago.  There are many stories in our own history.

Aug 21, 2023 10:28 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - what a nice way to celebrate.  Isn't it interesting how our memories can seem so alike yet very different.   May your birthday festivities today continue to be memorable in the best sort of way.  

Aug 21, 2023 11:03 AM
Roy Kelley

At my age, I am thankful to reach another birthday. The challenge now is to reach for more.

Aug 22, 2023 09:17 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Michael:

I really enjoyed your entry for the August Challenge. I suspect we often do not realize where the road is taking us but later, upon reflecting, can see the path fairly clearly. And of course it continues on throughout our life.

Jeff

Aug 23, 2023 12:32 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jeff Dowler, CRS - that seems true when constant improvement is part of life's path.  Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.  

Aug 23, 2023 01:48 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Different strokes for different folks. Right Michael Jacobs 

We all have paths which we have followed. I am sure we also wish some of the choices of which path to take could be taken over. Yet, life is good and there is no going back.

Aug 24, 2023 05:56 PM
Michael Jacobs

John Juarez - coulda - woulda - shoulda is not a realistic path of reviewing ones own history.  Thank you for the comment.  

Aug 24, 2023 06:46 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That kind of goes along with the power of experience. Hope you’re having a great Sunday. Make it a happy one Michael Jacobs 

Aug 27, 2023 12:51 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - thanks for the comment.  And, yes, this weekend has been a good one.  

Aug 27, 2023 06:49 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Good morning, Michael Jacobs - I am wishing you a very good end of the month and an excellent good start to September.

Happy motivational Monday!

Aug 28, 2023 06:05 AM
Michael Jacobs

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP - thank you for the additional thoughts for August as well as those anticipating the arrival of another month.  May those same good wishes go right back to you.  

Aug 28, 2023 06:32 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Monday morning, Michael.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Aug 28, 2023 09:04 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - I hope your last week of August 2023 introduces another good month.  Here's to September - it will be here soon.  And so will October.  They seem to have a habit.  📅📅📅

Aug 28, 2023 07:52 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

The road of life isn't easy but as you have said many times; it is a work in progress 🙂

Sep 05, 2023 08:54 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - repitition plays have a part in my daily life.  The "work-in-progress" phrase is an example.  One of "many".  

Sep 06, 2023 05:34 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

WOW! I love this, Michael! From finding 'clarity' in your memories to knowing understanding the players in any given transaction, you nailed this challenge! I do adore your story about setting up a car lot. Organization is such a gift in life, especially in business.

Fantastic entry, Michael! Thank you for sharing this!

Sep 09, 2023 06:28 AM
Michael Jacobs

Debe Maxwell, CRS - thank you for your comment on my challenge post entry.  My own history of participation has shown inconsistencies, that's for sure, and that might be a message for many members. 

Recently on the AR blog roll I have "seen" some long time members make an appearance after a long (and longer) absence.  As I have said often, I am thankful there is no attendance sheet on this platform.  

Sep 09, 2023 11:23 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Oh, I'm right there with you on being inconsistent when it comes to social media (including AR), Michael Jacobs. I'm very much an 'in-the-moment' person and if someone is in front of me, I focus on them.

I love, love, LOVE my AR peeps, FB friends, Instagram photographers/posters but, I simply don't have the bandwidth to do it all...nor do I want to! I remember many moons ago, I was the host for a big real estate conference here in Charlotte. I planned it, worked tirelessly to get everything arranged just perfectly and when the masses showed up, we all set out to a local restaurant (to which we could walk from the venue). I stood there in a circle of mostly AR members, many of whom had never met one another...and all of them had their noses buried in their phones!! 

As kind and Southern as I am, I still HAD to say, "Hey guys! Let's enjoy this time together - then we can post on social media!" The looks on the faces were priceless - it was an ah-ha moment for many. I think I need to write a blog about it - since I just wrote one in your comment section! LOL

Sep 15, 2023 12:19 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I am stuck on that picture that you depicted of those three men doing something that I would never catch myself doing in 1000 years. I don't think I'm afraid of Heights as much as I am a coward about falling. Hence that's why I spent so much time in a submarine 🙃

Sep 13, 2023 04:32 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - I appreciate your comment.  And, of course, thankful for your service.  

Sep 13, 2023 06:16 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I can always appreciate being part of history and part of the presentat the same time; that’s the way some of us learn🙂

Sep 28, 2023 01:13 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - I believe that is a good combination.  

Sep 28, 2023 07:09 PM