These past weeks several of my clients and customers have made remarks that were not so important at the time but later, after thinking about their particular views, it makes more sense in understanding people and their personal priorities. A young gentleman who moved here several years ago stops by the office about once a month. His personal views on rushing to get from point A to point B are quite interesting. Whenever he drives somewhere out of town, he barely even approaches the speed limit. His thoughts on driving, are that of travel being more an adventure and taking time to notice things that most people miss in their pursuit of destinations. He would often say, “Why is it that everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere?” My only comment was, “Most people feel they need that mental “rush” of being behind the eight ball in getting somewhere on time.”
I spent some quality time today with a client who will be placing her home on the market in about a month. I’m confident that she and I will get along quite well in the process of selling her home. What I admire about her the most is that she singularly raised her family in a home and made small, yet careful steps. She paid her home off and made every improvement necessary to keep the home safe, sound, secure, and energy efficient. I offered some suggestions on how to make her home more presentable for the general home buyers who seem to think every home should look like something they’ve seen on HD TV. Her life has been not only a job of living but also a journey of living.
This morning I happened up on square nail that I pulled out of a loose floor board of a building downtown that is owned by one of my relatives. The building is likely over 140 years old and is still standing strong and stately. When one of the architects working on the downtown facade program went into the basement, one could only imagine the look on his face in seeing the way that building was built from ground up. He was in a sort of jaw-drop in seeing the timbers supporting the wooden framework.
My only comment to him was, “This is an example of a European craftsman bringing his know-how to America.” I know I’ve spoken of this before about age of structures but I can’t help myself saying it again, “If there are homes and buildings still standing that were built in the 16th Century and still going strong, then why must everyone keep asking what year a home was built?” So, if back in the 16th Century builders took their time in creating something that would last, what has happened when I see buildings and homes not enduring even a half century due to poor materials and workmanship? I must then consider what are we now doing wrong.” Life must have been better in the slow lane.
