Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2005

ATTITUDE AND PERSPECTIVE

As many of you know, we have relocated our offices to 43 Church Street in downtown St. Catharines.  We are right across from city hall and down the street from my old real estate office.  I will tell you, if feels great to be back downtown. 

If I don’t have an appointment at a client’s place, I can walk from home.  It is exactly 10 minutes.  The funny thing is, when I am in Toronto, I will voluntarily walk twice that distance, but I used to think twice about walking from my home to downtown.  What a great way to get some exercise and chat with a few people along the way.

This gets me to my topic for this month’s Caravan.  I find it interesting that most people’s attitude and perspective is more in the negative realm, than the positive realm.  Currently we are experiencing a hot spell.  Yes, it can be uncomfortable and yes, it is hot and muggy, especially here in Niagara.  But, it makes me crazy the type of small talk we make as Canadians.  Here are some examples of everyday comments that could set the tone for you and your day.  I have put what I hear in green and what I would like to hear in blue.

“Hot enough for you?” 
“Great day…the sun is shining.”

“I can’t believe it’s the weekend and it’s raining again.” 
“It’s raining, but at least you don’t have to shovel it.”

“If I go to the bank I know there will be a huge lineup.”
“I like going to the bank because I get to talk to some great people.”

“Damn government…damn job…damn life.”
“You know, when I got up this morning, my toilet flushed.  I saw no tanks on the way to work.”

My pet peeve is this one.  Count how many times a day do you hear this when you say ‘thank you’ to someone.

“No Problem.”

I go to a store and buy something.  I say thank you and they say “No Problem.” Why is it a problem when I am in your store, giving you some business?

I am asked if I want the item put in a bag and I say yes, thanks.  “No Problem.”

I phone a company and ask for some information and then say thanks.  “No Problem.”

I am running for an elevator and the person in the elevator sees me and holds the door, I say thanks.  “No Problem.”

Here is my problem.  Why is everything a problem?  If I am giving you money when I buy a product from you and therefore keeping you employed, why is that a problem?

Try saying “My pleasure” or “You’re welcome”

If everything is a problem rather than a pleasure can you see how that may affect how you think and how you live?

You are what you eat.  You are what you do.  You are how you act.  And, you definitely are what you think.

Start looking a the bright side of life and start to celebrate the good things instead of dwelling on the bad.

“Ted, thanks for a great newsletter.”

“MY PLEASURE!”

Ted

FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS from Last Month

I can totally relate to this one….I am saying to my husband (all too often)…..Where is everyone going in such a hurry…..they are impatient if you should happen to be in their way and on the roads are speed demons only to find themselves not much ahead of anything or anyone!!!!!  What is the hurry?  I think on our roads (with the price of gas) it seems like such a waste of good money.

Anyway, I just wanted to respond and let you know that I really enjoy your e-mails.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sheila

I wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying receiving the Caravan.

I can relate to “Be Patient”.  On my commute to work I leave the house five minutes earlier than I used to and it makes a huge difference in my trip.  I arrive at work ready to do my job and I don’t feel a need to vent about #!&? driver who cut me off.  I also find that the people who felt the need to pass and cut in and out of traffic are usually waiting at the traffic light when I get there.

Thanks for the Caravan and keep up the great work.

Joeann

Thank you Sheila and Joeann for you comments.

DID YOU KNOW?  

By Pierre R. Ouellette Hon.B.A., LL.B.

My last 'Did You Know' segment touched upon the advisability of 'having your legal paper work done' in order to spare your partner of the grief of battling your next of kin over things such as making extraordinary medical decisions on your behalf. I was frankly bemused at the response which was generally one of surprise and shock! I thought therefore that a couple of points bore repeating and expanding -

(1) It does not matter how long you have lived with your partner, without a valid Power of Attorney for Personal Care it is your next-of-kin who decides what medical care you will receive;

(2) The same goes for a Will. Without a valid Will your next-of-kin can claim all your assets and that may include some that you might feel are jointly owned with your partner, and

(3) Without a Co-Habitation Agreement you have extremely limited property rights over your partner’s assets.

Did you know that the so-called 'Common Law Spouse' provisions in Family Law generally only deal with support and not the division of assets or property?

Please call Pierre at 905-682-7380 for a free consultation.

REMINDER:

WORKPLACE HARASSEMENT SEMINAR ON JULY 28^TH
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
CALL TODAY…905-682-7380

A series of excellent seminars that you don’t want to miss!!

Register early…Space is limited.

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