I’m a woman of action. I can move mountains in minutes. I mean I can really make things happen. When I get an idea, an inspiration or make up my mind to do something, you had better stand back because stuff is going to fly. Got a business idea? I have been known to map out an entire business plan on the back of a napkin over a glass of wine. BOOM! Done! Once I’m set in motion, I don’t rest ‘til I’ve accomplished my goal.
That is until it comes to the subject of selling my house. Five (yes, you read that right! 5) years ago we decided to put our house on the market. It was my son’s junior year in high school, and with just him and my 12-year old left at home, we decided we’d start the process. It seemed crazy, with just the four of us to have a 6 bedroom house. And then there was the maintenance. After the dishwasher had to be repaired (three times) and the lawn mower broke and one whole bathroom had to be re-plumbed, along with a rash of other repairs, I was done. They were all just routine house issues – nothing major but they just seemed to come all at once. I was ready to move on. I wanted something smaller and something newer. I know I’m a powerful manifestor so I put all my energy into the goal of selling this house. I had it all planned: List on this date. Get an offer by this date. Close here and move there. I envisioned us in our new space. I was using every resource I knew from visualizing to affirmations to good old fashioned prayer.
So we took step one. We cleaned and tidied. We touched up paint. We trimmed hedges. We cleaned closets and fluffed towels. If you have ever sold a house then you know it is no minor task. There are small things you walk by everyday and don’t think twice about, but when it comes time to list your house then you suddenly say WOW that’s got to be moved, be painted or be pitched. We did it all. And then…. no offer, no sale, no dice! FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS!
And this is a great house in a wonderful, older, established neighborhood close to the University of Arkansas. I love this house. We all love this house. There are sweet memories of birthdays, graduations, holidays and countless family dinners. My kids have grown up here. There has been room for my mom to come and stay and room for my kids to bring their friends. The house has protected us and kept us warm. It’s special and beautiful and loved. It has served us well. But it is time for someone else to love this house. Time for someone else to cook in the wonderful kitchen and for someone else’s children to play in the yard. It’s time for someone else to love it the way we have.
So 5 years and 5 realtors later – here we go again. But I have an entirely different approach this time. I am taking a deep breath and will let the house move when it is ready.
I have come to learn that my timing is not always the Universe’s timing and there might just be a higher power at work that knows more than I do. Imagine!
I now realize that perhaps I’ve been care taking this house for the past five years so the perfect family will be ready to move and it’ll still be available.
I’ve learned the power of patience and I realize that waiting doesn’t always have to be a ‘weighting’ but can be a light-hearted journey of letting go and acceptance.
I’ve learned I can enjoy the process even if the outcome isn’t of my request. 
I’ve learned that how I do anything is how I do everything and if I get uptight about my house not selling, I get upset about other things in my life not going as planned – and that’s a recipe for stress.
I’ve learned that I can choose to be happy anywhere, anytime, no matter what.
I’ve learned gratitude for being able to live and work and raise a family in a beautiful space, even if I ‘think’ I’d like to be someplace else.
I’ve learned that selling my house is just a metaphor living my life. And when I can accept what is and find the perfection of every situation, I am happy and joyful and none of that exterior stuff matters.
Today, for the 6th time since 2009, I will list my house for 6 months. If it doesn’t sell, I’ll take it off the market for a few months and then I will try again. But this time, I’m not attached. I’ll fluff and primp and preen – and when it sells, or doesn’t, I’ll know it is absolutely perfect!
