64 Things That Come To Mind When I Think Of Christmas (slideshow)

64 Things That Come To Mind When I Think Of Christmas from Sugar Pine Realty

7 Things Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Can Teach Us About Life (video)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

7 Things Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Can Teach Us About Life (visual)

7 Things Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Can Teach Us About Life #FridayFeeling #FridayReads #Christmas pic.twitter.com/rbJ3yFLc8Y

— Mike C (@blogboy2) December 16, 2016

7 Christmas Quotes (slideshow)

7 Christmas Quotes from Sugar Pine Realty

Top 10 Classic Christmas Toys Of All Time

7 Christmas Fun Facts (slideshow)

7 Christmas Fun Facts from Sugar Pine Realty

13 Quirks Human Beings Have (slideshow)

10 Mistakes People Make with the Holiday Season (plus 1 bonus)

Lightning fast read meant to make you think...

10 Mistakes People Make with the Holiday Season (plus 1 bonus):

1. Think they have to attend every party (you don't).
2. Drink too much at the parties they do attend (and wake up the next morning embarrassed and with a hangover).
3. Eat too many treats (so they have to diet on January 1st).
4. Spend above their means.
5. Act like the Grinch or Scrooge (are a wet blanket on everyone else's joy).
6. Go to shopping malls during peak hours (and you wonder why you're stressed?).
7. Don't make time for the important people in their lives.
8. Have unrealistic expectations on how relatives should act and respond (you only have control over your own actions and responses).
9. Don't realize the depression it can foster (get support if this is you).
10. Forget to reach out to others in need (don't just think about your own family).

BONUS Overlook the reason for the (Christmas) season.

by Mike C (aka blog boy)

You might also be interested in: Test Your Knowledge of the Christmas Tree Thank You

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7 Things Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Can Teach Us About Life

Each holiday season I like to try to come up with a blog post that has Christmas as a focus. I've written a number of them in the past (Christmas "Meanies", It's a Wonderful Life, How NOT to Let the Grinch Steal Christmas, etc.), but I've never written about what happens to probably be my most favorite of all the holiday shows: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

I mean, it's just a plain exciting story line (and fun, too). Of course, you've got Rudolph (the underdog). You've got Rudolph's dad, Donner (a little full of himself, won't ever show weakness father). You've got the monster, the Abominable Snowman (Bumble who "bounces"). And you've got the rag tag team that comes together, including Hermey the Elf (aspiring dentist) and Yukon Cornelius (explorer extraordinaire), to overcome all odds.

And there are just a whole lot of lessons that can be gained from this cast of characters as it has to do with real life (even though it's just a cartoon).

See if you agree with the following list I came up with...

7 Things Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Can Teach Us About Life:

1. We all have our "flaws." It's how we respond to them that matters.
2. Don't write off the odd ball. He just might be pulling the sleigh one day.
3. There's nothing like having a guy that's good at extractions when you need to pull teeth (tame the monster).
4. Covering up a "problem" is never the best way of dealing with it.
5. Feeling like a "misfit" helps us to empathize with (care about) "misfits."
6. Even Santa (the "boss" or upper management) can learn a lesson or two.
7. Everybody enjoys a good story with a happy ending. (Don't we?)

You might also be interested in: 21 “Joy” Enhancers Holiday Shows, A Canine's Shack, Meaning in Life and Linus' Famous Speech

FREE eBook download by entering email address:

What Decorations? (A Family Christmas Memory)

It was just over a week until Christmas (last Friday). And as I was leaving work, a coworker of mine said, "Mike, where are the decorations? You're usually the one that motivates us." It was true. The "motivator" part, but moreso, no decorations in the office this year (except for my manger scene at my desk).

You must know the full context for impact. My industry is in the dumps. How it's gotten there is besides the point. The fact is everybody isn't really in the mood for celebrating. And so I didn't put up the decorations (or motivate everyone else to). That is, until my coworker said what she said. It was like the Grinch's heart growing three sizes.

The next morning I mentioned it to my wife and three kids that I was thinking we should go over to the office and decorate. My wife (who has the gift of helps) of course said, "Let's go ~ now!" I said, "No, not yet. There'll be somebody there. Let's go tonight."

And so we did. We went after dinner and decorated the office. It was decorated like it had never been decorated before. Because you see, it wasn't just me doing it, but my family with me. And it was a surprise. You should have seen my three kids. I was so proud of them.

Do you think they'll remember it? Oh, you bet they will.

On Monday morning I was asked, "Mike, who decorated the office?" I said, "Decorations? What decorations?" :P

You might also be interested in:

• 21 “Joy” Enhancers
• What If Santa Was Real?

64 Things That Come to Mind When I Think of Christmas [infographic]

What If Santa Was Real?

I was a Catholic school boy in 4th grade. (I was a good boy, too, my mom always says.) That's when it happened. I heard my classmates talking about how Santa wasn't real. "No," I thought. "It couldn't be?" I was devastated. I didn't say a word until I got home. That's when my mom took me in my bedroom, shut the door and began to explain. I was sad. But I got over it.

And I was thinking the other day about my mom and how hard that conversation must have been. I'll bet she wished she could have said the opposite, that the kids on the playground were wrong. And I would have believed her. I would have believed my mom if she said, "Michael, Santa is real."

And would it really be so bad if he was? And wouldn't it mean more happiness and goodness and giving and faith and love and sacrifice and care and kindness and hope? That's what Santa stands for. Aren't we a little short on those things these days?

Truth be told "Santa" did actually exist as a person (Saint Nicholas) long ago and is known for doing some of the things associated with present-day tradition.

No, I don't think it would be such a bad thing if Santa was real. Ho ho ho. :)

You might also be interested in:

• A Real Estate Christmas Carol (redux)
• Holiday Shows, A Canine's Shack, Meaning in Life & Linus' Famous Speech

Holiday Shows, A Canine's Shack, Meaning in Life & Linus' Famous Speech

If there's anything cool about Christmas time, it's the holiday shows.

Do you have a favorite? Frosty? The Grinch? It's a Wonderful Life? A Charlie Brown Christmas? That last one is among the most famous of all.

And did you know it was done on a shoestring budget and the network predicted it would flop prior to release? (So much for executives.)

There's a part in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" where Charlie Brown walks by Snoopy's dog house. (Do you remember that?) Snoopy's trying to win the neighborhood light and decoration contest. And so his dog house is decorated to the hilt as Snoopy hands Charlie Brown a flyer explaining the contest. It's the last straw for Charlie Brown. He cries out, "Oh no, my own dog has gone commercial. I can't stand it!"

And I wonder if some people's lives aren't a lot like Snoopy and his dog house. No, I'm not saying you're a canine living in a shack. But I wonder if we're not just trying to win some kind of a prize (of our own mind's making? ~ some of us?) and in the process our life has lost its meaning. It's just become the next promotion or contest or thing that needs to be bought or person that needs to be impressed or deal that needs to be made ~ and on and on. Where does it end?

Charlie Brown was in search of meaning in life and he found it. We can find it, too.

Happy holidays.

(To watch Linus' famous speech in A Charlie Brown Christmas, click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Christmas "Meanies" and Their Counterpoints
• How NOT to Let the Grinch Steal Christmas

10 Boo Boos People Make at Holiday Get Togethers (plus 1 bonus)

It's that time of the year again. The time where we are thankful and give (and receive) presents.

It's also the time where we get around people we may not see throughout the year. That's where the trouble comes. Especially if the last time we saw somebody there was any kind of friction. (Been there? Done that?)

I'd expect there are many just dreading the holiday get together. (Is it you?) We can do a lot to help ourselves (short of not showing up) to handle the pressure and dispel the tension that can accompany any gathering.

The main thing is to prepare ahead of time. Know the relational mistakes and avoid them...

10 Boo Boos People Make at Holiday Get Togethers (plus 1 bonus):

1. Show up late
2. Worry about what others think
3. Talk too much
4. Talk about themselves
5. Try to change people
6. Are too honest
7. Show off (brag)
8. Drink too much
9. Judge
10. Stick their foot in their mouth (say something they shouldn't say)

BONUS: Forget to say, "Thank you" (and send a "Thank you" card afterwards)

You might also be interested in:

• It's a Wonderful Life (and you're the reason why)
• Test Your Knowledge of Christmas

How to Deal with Holiday Stress (10 ways)

Things are tight (for many of us). And the holidays are here! Combine holiday season with things being tight and what do you get? (Starts and ends with an "s".) Stress.

Webster's defines stress as: "bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium." (In simpler terms, you're frazzled.)

People deal with holiday stress in different ways. Some get angry. Some feel sorry for themselves. Some go on binges (drinking, shopping). Others get real busy. (Workaholics are a perfect example.) It could be just about anything that overtakes a person when they're stressed (insomnia, drug addiction ~ even suicide).

There are things we can do / ways to deal with and minimize stress. I've put together a list of them below. This isn't scientific or anything. It's just coming from inside my head. I think we learn these over the years. The problem is we don't always put them into practice. (I'm guilty of that.) I encourage you to not just read these, but apply them, too (I'm feeling less stress already)...

How to Deal With Holiday Stress (10 ways):

1. Don't give in to unrealistic expectations.
2. Live within your means.
3. Go to the malls during off peak hours.
4. Take a break and get some fresh air.
5. Spend time with people that give you hope.
6. Avoid eating too many holiday treats.
7. Watch a movie that makes you laugh.
8. Refuse to worry about the future.
9. Lift somebody up who's in worse shape than you.
10. Remember, the important things money can't buy.

You might also be interested in:

• 21 “Joy” Enhancers
• On Black Friday

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (video song)

Real Estate 12 Days of Christmas

(First release Christmas 2007) And so what if it was a real estate agent who wrote: "The Twelve Days of Christmas?" Might it have gone a little like this (don't forget the melody)...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me:

Twelve escrows closing

Eleven lenders lending

Ten qualified buyers

Nine ripe referrals

Eight listing agreements

Seven sensible sellers

Six accepted offers

FIVE DAYS IN MAUI!

Four contracts signed

Three walkthroughs

Two no admin fees

And a new client with some money!

Have a Merry Christmas, everybody!

21 "Joy" Enhancers (When You Need To Get Your Joy Back)

It's a fact. The holiday season comes. And while many are gleeful and glad, still others are grouchy and glum. It's not that these don't want to be happy. It's not they don't want to have fun (and frolic). It's just that money's tight (for some) or they've lost their job (for others) or, you see, that loved one passed away earlier this year (for still others) and to be cheerful and bright right now? Well, it's just not gonna happen, quite frankly. And it could be just about anything that's got any one of us in a "Bah, humbug" mood. (Can you relate?)

I want to try to help "restore the joy" (should you find yourself in need of help). That's what this post is all about. I've lumped together (below) what I call "JOY enhancers" using the acronym "J-O-Y." I mean, you just can't do this sort of stuff in the list and still be in despair. It's just not possible (at least in my mind). And so in the interests of restoring/enhancing "JOY", here we go with...

21 "Joy" Enhancers (When You Need To Get Your Joy Back):

1. J-UMP, skip and hop like you used to do as a kid.
2. J-OIN with others to sing Christmas carols.
3. J-OG ~ or whatever exercise suits you (gets the blood flowing).
4. J-OURNAL a list of happy moments in your life.
5. J-OKE around with a good friend.
6. J-ETISEN the hurts of the past, forgiving those who hurt you.
7. J-OURNEY to a celebration of Christmas at a church in your area.

8. O-PEN the curtains of your home to let the sun shine in.
9. O-FFER to help with the needs of another.
10. O-MIT negative thinking from your mind.
11. O-RCHESTRATE a dinner and invite your neighbors.
12. O-PINE (to yourself) about all the things you're thankful for.
13. O-CCUPY a lower place (by choice) in a situation and give someone else the higher place.
14. O-RDAIN in your heart that you're gonna make this the best Christmas ever.

15. Y-EARN for the good ol' days (but make today a good ol' day!).
16. Y-IELD to seeing the good in others. (It's really there if you look close enough.)
17. Y-ANK out (in a gentle way) old pictures of family and friends to look at.
18. Y-ACK on the phone with a sibling that you haven't talked to (yacked with) in a long time.
19. Y-AWN because you stayed up late watching "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart.
20. Y-ELL, Hallelujah! (Rejoicing has a way of bringing back the joy.)
21. "Y-OU'RE a mean one, Mr Grinch" ~ If he can get better so can you. Believe it.

December Rainbow

(click picture to enlarge)

A Real Estate Christmas Carol (redux)

In the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. Each has something to show and a message to give the miser.

The Ghost of Christmas Past comes first and shows Scrooge the joys and sorrows of his childhood. The height of the sorrows is the time he forsook his fiancee for the love of money.

The Ghost of Christmas Present comes next and shows Scrooge scenes of joy around the city as well as scenes of want and dire need. The height of these scenes is that of Tiny Tim's crutch resting alone at the fireplace. The boy will die if his dad's boss continues to pay so cheaply.

The Ghost of Christmas Future comes last and shows Scrooge the grave of a dead man who all speak ill of for his selfish life. The height of the scene is when he discovers the grave is his own.

We all know how the story ends. The visions have their intended effect. Scrooge changes. Tiny Tim lives. But what about us?

It's not my intention to point out any specific Scrooges out there. Instead, I want to focus on second chances. It's really what "A Christmas Carol" is all about.

And as it relates to real estate (or any other career field or place in life for that manner), there are second chances available (as long as we have breath). Could you use one? Hear the ghostly voices: No matter your past, you can determine your future by becoming the best you can be in the present.

Have a Happy Holiday season and a Merry Christmas, everybody.

(Picture in the public domain: HERE)