Disappointment: How to Overcome and Move Forward Reeling from our big move at Today's Home, I was working to get settled, and two of the agents announced they were leaving the company. Yikes! Fears! Now what?!  That was the road I walked last week. After much prayer, I decided to share my thoughts on dealing with this disappointment and how I am moving on from it. Before I share my ideas on disappointment with you, I want to bring you into my world. I've been a real estate professional for over eighteen years. I was licensed before the market crash of 2008. In 2006, the market was good. However, some economists were sounding the alarm about over-inflated pricing, mortgage and appraisal fraud, and the unaffordability of many buyers. I was new, so I didn't really understand the complexity of what was being said, but I remember there were two camps. One was... all is well, so go sell a home, and the other was... the sky is falling no one will ever be able to buy a home! Feels a little like today's real estate market. In every season, real estate and other, there is change. In 2007, I surrendered to what would come and found myself in the middle of a foreclosure team. I quickly learned the art of a Broker Price Opinion (BPO), how to navigate property rehab, and property advertising in a market with few buyers. Then, an opportunity came knocking, and I was able to take what I had learned and pivot into something new. I don't look back and wish it never happened. I took all those experiences with me. In that new season, my first brokerage taught me and gave me what I needed at the time. Over the years, I've been with four different brokerages. Each poured into me, growing me and helping advance my skills. A lot of it was educational, yet other lessons came in the form of learning how NOT to treat someone or how to own your mistakes and make them right. Through prayer and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I took all of those lessons and decided it was time to venture out on my own. In May 2018, Today's Home Real Estate was established. It's been six years, and seeing how far I've come is exciting! We are a purposefully small company with five agents, all focused on serving and honoring the consumer above all else. Small and mighty! So, bringing the focus back to last week... when forty percent of your company decided to leave in one week, it was a big deal! To say I was disappointed is an understatement. There were fears, some tears, and lots and lots of prayers. How, God, can I move forward?  Disappointment is a common yet challenging emotion. For me, it is a spiritual lesson. Overcoming it begins with acknowledging my feelings and trusting that setbacks are part of growing me into the person I am supposed to be. The four steps are: REFLECTION: Start by reflecting on what led to the disappointment and identify any lesson that needs to be learned. Seek the deeper wisdom it offers by asking God for clarity. GRATITUDE: Then, shift my focus towards positive aspects and future possibilities. Practicing Gratitude helps reframe my mindset, allowing me to see the blessings that remain and the divine plan guiding my life.  FOCUS FORWARD: Setting new, achievable goals helps restore a sense of purpose and direction. Moving forward is an excellent way to see God at work in and through my life.  SUPPORT: Surround myself with supportive people who uplift and encourage me.  Keep in mind that resilience is built through adversity. My faith is strengthened as I go through trying times (James 1:2-4). By embracing these steps, I can transform my disappointment into a stepping stone for growth and progress. As I walked through the above steps, my story turned. God showed up in my disappointment.  This is a sidebar. If you are reading this and do not know God, Father of Jesus Christ, allow me to tell you a little about Him. God of the Bible created the world and you and me. It tells us in Genesis (read the first 13 chapters to understand creation) that first God created the world, then everything in it, and then He created man and woman. We were created in His likeness. Through the sin (wrongdoings) of Adam and Eve, humankind was separated from God. So, hundreds of years later, God sent his son, Jesus, to live among us. Jesus' purpose was to remove the separation created by Adam and Eve and to bring Salvation (reuniting us in relationship with God) to ANYONE who will accept this FREE gift. The Bible tells us that if we believe that Jesus is real, accept him for who He is, and ask Him to forgive our sins, then He will fill us with the fullness of who He is, Acts 2:38. The moment of our acknowledgment and acceptance of Him becomes a relationship that will change your life, 1 Corinthians 1:9. He changed my life some 31+ years ago, and I am so grateful that I said yes to Him. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, and whoever believes in him will have everlasting life, John 3:16. Salvation and forgiveness from your sins is a FREE gift; you need only to ask for it! Now, back to the topic. I am in my new office, boxes unpacked, looking into the eyes of disappointment. And I thought, what do I do now? Where do I go from here? (Step one from above, reflection.) As I was reflecting, I began to see all that God had done and is doing. (Step two from above, Gratitude.) I became fully aware that He had brought the new office, and I was in the middle of God's plan for my life. Although it didn't look like I thought it would, I trust Him, who created me, who saved me, and who directs my steps and path. He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He knew the agents were leaving when He led me to the new office. I was further able to see that He was working in my life and in their lives, too.  As I looked to God for direction in that exact moment of initial disappointment, God brought Galatians 5:22 to mind. He reminded me that I am to respond with love and kindness. Taking a silent breath, pausing for a moment, I knew that was the direction I was to take. I thanked each agent for their contribution to Today's Home; I prayed for them, hugged them, and wished them well. Later that evening, Randy and I prayed for them, asking God to bless their marriage, family, and business. Then I let go. So, disappointment! Is it easy? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  When you find yourself in the middle of disappointment, I invite you to seek God for wisdom. He will provide clarity through reflection. Then you will see Him in the midst of your Gratitude. He will direct your steps for your future and help you shift your mind toward the excitement of what is to come. You simply need to seek Him with your whole heart. I'm now one week out from my disappointment, and today is a good day. I am not afraid of tomorrow, nor do I fear it. For God has answered my prayer, and He will provide a way, open doors, and bring new agents. If you have questions about God, overcoming disappointment, or joining our mighty brokerage, please get in touch with me. I look forward to and welcome your conversation. Deb Long - 1-205-447-3476