5 IMPORTANT LESSONS (long) - Posted by Dan

Real Estate Investing
#1

Posted by Chenel Moore on March 17, 2001 at 11:40:30:

It has occurred to me after all of the elements which have occurred with recent posts, that what may be bothering many people who normally frequent this site is that I believe that this site is off a very high calibre. Honestly, although Dan’s post is excellent (it moved me to tears), I believe that it is the high quality of this site that attracts such a high calibre of investors. Note: the public views real estate investors as money hungry scums. But on this site, I mostly encounter people who are classy and know what they are doing. So I guess Dan’s post really made me reflect about this site and what it means to me, and more importantly how I value the people who post here and how I value the creators.

#2

5 IMPORTANT LESSONS (long) - Posted by Dan

Posted by Dan on March 16, 2001 at 08:06:22:

Someone passed this along to me this morning. I thought I’d share it with the group.

5 IMPORTANT LESSONS Lessons Others Have Learned…Maybe We Should Too!

  1. Most Important Lesson
    During my second month of med school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

  2. Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
    One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.?

  3. Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve
    In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier 35 cents and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

  4. Fourth Important Lesson - The Obstacle in Our Path
    In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition

  5. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts
    Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?” Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. You see, after all, understanding and attitude, are everything.

#3

Re: # 1 - Posted by Ben (NJ)

Posted by Ben (NJ) on March 17, 2001 at 07:01:20:

Last night I was at one of those high falutin (sp) salons/day spas getting a haircut and massage. When I was done I noticed the valet parker had gone but left
my keys at the front desk. I wanted to leave an envelope with his tip but I sheepishly had to ask for his name. Well, I didn’t feel so bad when I realized
NO ONE in the salon knew his name. It’s one thing when customers don’t know it but not even co-workers! How embarrasing! Someone should send them this post.

#4

Re: 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS (long) - Posted by Dave Mckee

Posted by Dave Mckee on March 17, 2001 at 24:14:32:

Dan,
This is a great post, but there is another story here!

It’s about how a bunch of people, bound together by a common interest, are seeing the diference between some of their postings that creat anger, discord and attack, and others who’s posts are full of virtue, hope and kindness! There’s a lesson here, I think.

Thank you for the refreshing post. I think we all feel better!

Dave Mckee

#5

Re: 4 IMPORTANT LESSONS (long) - Posted by Robert Malit

Posted by Robert Malit on March 17, 2001 at 24:11:18:

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the great post. As a nurse, I have the opportunity to take care of the homeless, poor, middle, and very rich people. One in particular, the Robinsons-May, who said the only difference between the poor and the rich is in their “attitude”. The “poor” attitude leads them to deny obstacle exists, go around obstacles, ignore obstacle, will do anything except solve the problem because they feel very uncomfortable, or even feel intense pain. Even when they find solutions, they keep it to themselves, afraid others will steal it. The “rich” attitude is exactly the opposite, they will do anything to figure out solutions to conquer the obstacle, even when they run out of options they will create one, willing to make mistakes, in the process learn and get better. When they finally find solution, they don’t stop and keep it to themselves, they share it with many people and become very successful in the process. Lesson 4 is helping me a lot with my quest to find good deals.

#6

GREAT POST! - Posted by Lazaro

Posted by Lazaro on March 16, 2001 at 20:22:26:

nt

#7

Great Post Dan! - Posted by Jim

Posted by Jim on March 16, 2001 at 18:08:57:

They all mean so much and really, fit into everyones life. I particularly like #3. (The world would be a better place)

Thanks for those lessons.

Jim

#8

Re: 4t LESSON -my favorite! - Posted by AnnNC

Posted by AnnNC on March 16, 2001 at 13:32:01:

I am much happier now that I look at life as in item#4. A problem is just an interesting set of
circumstances,and along with it, come some interesting
people.

#9

Thanks for sharing this one!! - Posted by Monique

Posted by Monique on March 16, 2001 at 11:51:29:

Dan,

Thanks for posting the 5 lessons!!
It puts alot of things into perspective.

Monique

#10

Lessons in life… - Posted by SusanL.–FL

Posted by SusanL.–FL on March 16, 2001 at 11:38:41:

Hi Dan

Someone sent these to me a couple weeks ago (and they were still good the second time around).

After I read ?Lesson 1?, the very FIRST person that popped into my mind, (who I didn?t know at work), was a fairly new female maintenance worker. A quick glance revealed a ?beat down in life? look about her?work clothes, older vehicle, long hair (probably never having seen the inside of a beauty salon in ten years). Pleasant person but she kept strictly to herself. (The feeling I got was like the upper crust and the lower crust of society daring not to mingle?if you know what I mean.)

The next time I rode the elevator with her, I introduced myself and asked her her name. (Her name was Carol.) From then on, I made it a point to say hi to her when I saw her.

Not many weeks after our elevator ride, I began to notice a difference in her. She walked with more confidence and seemed to have a little spring in her step. She was friendlier (and not as protective of herself).

Who knows—maybe circumstances in her life had changed and things had gotten better for her. Then again–maybe she felt that ?someone out there? had taken the time to find out who she was and treat her as a person. Who knows.

So many ?lessons? for us to learn as we go thru life.

Speaking about beauty salons?. I got a haircut the other day (Went in with L-O-N-G hair.) Told the gal to take off ONE inch. NOW I?m wondering if she thought I said LEAVE one inch?. :frowning:

Feel about as close to a human cue ball as one could get?:frowning:

#11

Re: 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS (long) - Posted by Stacy (AZ)

Posted by Stacy (AZ) on March 16, 2001 at 11:03:17:

Dan, doggoneit, you choked me up! The last story got me all mysty.

Bless the children. In their wisdom is a lesson to anyone who will just listen.

Stacy

#12

Everyone, Please Dan’s Post! - Posted by J.P. Vaughan

Posted by J.P. Vaughan on March 16, 2001 at 08:22:43:

Dan,

Thank you so much for sharing these important lessons.

JP

#13

Hey! Get back to work! LOL {NT} - Posted by Rick(CA)

Posted by Rick(CA) on March 16, 2001 at 18:20:59:

.

#14

Amen to children’s wisdom {nt} - Posted by SusanL.–FL

Posted by SusanL.–FL on March 16, 2001 at 11:32:28:

nt.