What Went Wrong?

Ever have things not go your way? Have you ever had your heart set on something and it didn't work out? I desperately wanted a specific new home years ago. We had searched and searched and finally found the perfect home. We made an offer that very night expecting to hear the wonderful news that our full price offer had been accepted. The realtor on the end of the line the next day reluctantly told us that the sellers had accepted another offer the day before. Devastated does not come close to describing the heartache we felt after the weeks and months of searching for the perfect house. Less than a week later, we stopped at a restaurant late one night after a long day of house-hunting. I struck up a conversation with another restaurant patron only to find that he had a brand new home for sale. While he was describing it and the location, I knew it was hundreds of thousands more than we could pay. He told me to take a look, and we'd work something out. It was the most amazing house, and we did get the house (we still own the property to this day). I am extremely grateful that our offer was not accepted on the original house that I wanted so bad it made me sick when I didn't get it. If I had got what I wanted in that situation, I wouldn't have been able to get the home in a much better location and 3000 square feet larger.

Here's what I learned: When I look back on every time I did not get a big ticket item that I wanted, be it a house, car, business, or investment, I've always been spared from something for something else! Something better. Something bigger. Too bad I get as much of what I do want because I absorb a great deal of economic and emotional pain because I'm always pushing the limits and challenging the status quo. Next time you don't get what you want, look around and recognize that you've been spared from something for something.

I love you and believe in you!