Lest we forget

In Flanders Fields

Poppy photographed on the First World War battlefield of the Somme near the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Flanders Poppy on the First World War battlefields.

Remember those who served,

Patrick

Judgement

We could all use a little less judgement in our world. Not everything needs a label to define it, as sometimes those labels bring a negative connotation. Those labels can then be used to discriminate against people. Stop seeing people as young, old, christian, jewish, muslim, black, white, gay, straight, tall, short, fat, skinny, liberal or conservative. Fundamentally we are all the same and we have far more similarities than we do differences.

Much the same can be applied to the major events in our lives. What happens to you should not always be defined as good or bad, this creates massive mood swings that will go with that judgement. Events are just events, and you will get through them much better when you start to see them that way. Life is not what happens to you but how you react to it.

Not everyone has the same credit score, the same employment or down payment. This is why we have many different mortgage options for people. So judging your rate and approval or lack there of with your friends or neighbours is a recipe for disaster. Let’s work together to find options that fit your particular situation.

“It’s all about communication and a dialogue between individuals – get rid of the labels, get rid of the shame, get rid of the stigmas and just be…” Matt Bomer

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

On Schedule

Some people think that scheduling your time and your life is limiting and that it prevents the flow of creativity and the ability to get work done. However I think it’s just the opposite. There is a power and actually a dicipline to having a regular schedule or routine. It allows you to prioritize your work and focus so you can get more accomplished.

When you have a consistent and regular schedule it also saves you the mental fatigue and anguish about trying to figure out what the heck you should be doing. Less stress worrying about what you should be doing and more time to work on your priorities. Speaking of time, your regular routine will help you make the most of your time and you will find that you get more done in less time as a result and that you are way more focused on your end result.

Since time really is our most important asset, people will respect you more when you realize how important your and their time really is. You will be focused more on tasks and activities that actually move you forward toward your goals and less time will be spent on distractions like social medial or TV.

Today I am thankful for my regular routine as it keeps me sane and focused throughout the day, for the family team effort that made cleaning up the truck so much more enjoyable yesterday and for discovering a great book that I had not read on my bookshelf.

“The key is not to prioritize what is on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Stephen Covey

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Extra Time

With the time change last night what are you doing with the extra hour that you have been given today? Don’t be like most and just sleep in, here are a few idea’s.

Go for a long walk or run

Meditate

Read a book

Visit a neighbour

Go for brunch

Volonteer with your church

Clean up your house and yard

Cook your loved one a nice meal

Don’t waste it staying in bed when there is so much more that you could be doing.

Today I am thankful for the extra hour to use today, brunch with my wife for the first time since before the pandemic, for my son and dog helping me clean up the lawn and garden beds yesterday.

“I don’t mind going back to daylight savings time. With inflation, the hour will be the only thing i’ve saved all year.” Victor Borge

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Tipping Point

Tipping point can be defined as ” the point at which an issue, idea, product, etc crosses certain threshold and gains signifiant momentum, triggered by some minor factor or change”. I would loosely describe it as the point in which all of your previous hard work has made you better and things finely start to fall into place as you have improved rather than situations have become easier.

Say for example that you have continued to put away in a savings account $50 from each pay since you got your first job when you were 15 and you are now 25. Not accounting for compound interest or investment returns you would have saved 13,000. While this might not seem like a lot, if it allows you to pay off debt or further add to your down payment on a new home it may be just the tipping point that allows you to do it.

You also reach tipping points learning a new language, playing a musical instrument or training for your 1st 5K race. It’s when all your hard work is finally starting to pay off. The Beatles did it by playing tons of shows in Hamburg Germany when they first formed and this allowed them to hone their skills. Malcolm Gladwell in his book by the same name says that the magic key is 10,000 hours of work to get to your tipping point. So what are you an expert at that you don’t even realize?

Today I am thankful for the business came in over night while I was sleeping, my french that I learned 30 years ago that still serves me and these daily posts that allow me to reach so many people.

“The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.”
― Malcolm Gladwell

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

On a roll

Success breeds more success, but if you are in a rut you are probably feeling like any improvement is impossible. My advice is to start small and build it from there. One small success at a time and sooner or later you will fell like you are on a roll, and what is success anyway but a feeling that you are doing well.

If you have not seen this yet you have to check out this video the US Admiral William H McRaven talks about starting with making your bed. Stack one small success upon another and sooner or later you are on a preverbal roll. Make your bed, hold the door for someone, pay for the car behind you in the drive through, smile sincerely at a stranger and wish them a great day.

The same applies to your quest to become a home owner. Start by opening up a separate savings account where you put your down payment money, start small with a few dollars at a time and consistently deposited will grow. Check out YNAB to get control of your finances. Lastly but just as important sign up for a credit monitoring service to keep an eye on your credit score. These are two good ones here in Canda and they both monitor your Equifax bureau which all the lenders here use, Borrowell and Mogo.

Today I am thankful the cool crisp morning air, a brisk walk with my dog and a refreshing workout to start the day.

“The difference between winning and loosing is most often not quitting. Walt Disney

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Unfriend

The big issue I have with Social Media is that people tend to be surrounded by those with similar views. This is very insulating as the world in general does not operate this way. We should welcome those with different views into our lives as that is how we grow. However in this age of social media we are unfortunately responding to those with different opinions with insults and hatred.

Listen and ask questions without resorting to knee jerk reactions. Find out why they think that way and do so with an open mind. God forbid they may be right and you may be wrong. Having a different opinion does not make one a bad person. Being an ass hat because opinions differ will not win you any love or respect.

Going forward instead of unfriending those who see the world differently than you do, ask questions and find out why they see things the way that they do. Offer them your opinion and reasons behind it only if all parties can remain civil. You could be surprised as you may learn a thing or two.

Today I am thankful for all I have learned from my friends by keeping an open mind, for all my friends who have stayed in touch even with our difference of opinions and to those who have unfriended and left I wish you well.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” ― Isaac Asimov

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to all the parents and trick or treaters this year. I hope that you stat safe and dry this year and get lots of your favourite candy.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Be Prepared

The Boy Scouts have this motto for a reason. Life is much easier if you are prepared for what is potentially coming your way. This also makes it much more manageable when challenges show up out of the blue. So plan for the best but be prepared for the worst as well.

You don’t typically sign up for a marathon having never run prior to the race. You put in the miles ( kilometres for the rest of us) and you train so that you are prepared. Have a big test coming up, you review your notes you took in class and you study so that you are prepared. Long trip coming up, you make sure that your car is all tuned up, check the tires, brakes, exhaust, engine and everything so you are prepared.

If you are in the market to purchase a house, you have to make sure that you are prepared. Long before you want to buy you start saving for your down payment. You manage your credit and make sure all your financial commitments are paid on time as better credit will get you better mortgage rates. Once you are finely ready you seek out a professional like myself and get pre-approved so you can start shopping with confidence.

Today I am thankful for the mortgage course I wrote and passed several years ago in preparation for the new licensing standards here in NS, the years that it has taken me to assemble a group of contacts that enabled me to solve a clients challenge rather quickly and preparing my day’s work in advance so I can enjoy the rest of the weekend.

“You can be absolutely certain that when you feel you are being most unfairly tested, you are being prepared for great achievement.” Napoleon Hill

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

For the greater good

We should all act in the interest of the greater good. This pandemic has brought out so many random acts of kindness but it has also brought out the dark and selfish side of people. My Friday thought for you today is to do something for the greater good that you have no possible way of getting anything in return except for the warm feeling that you get as a result.

Here are a few idea’s, volunteer your time to a good cause in the community. Here is a link for a few opportunities here in Halifax. Check in on a friend or family member that you have not heard from in a while. Give a sincere complement to someone you meet today. Help your neighbour clean up the fallen leaves. Bring some of your clothes that you are not using to charity. Pay for the car behind you in the drive through. Lastly but certainly not least, call Canadian Blood services and make an appointment to donate blood or plasma.

While we don’t receive anything back to us directly from these generous acts, the feeling that you have done something wonderful more than makes up for it. I gave blood again yesterday and as a O- I feel like it is a personal responsibility as well. The blood supply was there when I needed it a few years ago and each time I donate I think of all the people it is helping.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” CS Lewis

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here