By any measure, 2009 has been an ogre. A lineal Shrek, if you will. We probably all would have given it a miss had we heeded the decree of the Chinese calendar that it was to be the Year of the Killer Tomato. Given the chance to hit reset on the impending culmination of 365 vexing days, however, I would not take it. There are strengthening vitamins and minerals to be had in the juices of the very tomatoes at my feet that have pelted my face and stung my wide eyes.
There have been financial challenges, the likes of which were previously alien to me. With the disjointed gyrations of an industry and market that represent a brand new dance to even the longest tenured vets, I have been forced to the brink of professional incineration for long stretches on end. With seared toes and fingertips, however, I’ve held fast at the threshold to that fiery abyss. My Gen-X core becoming more pliable and durable all the while in paradoxical harmony. A representative for a generation that is accustomed to having, to entitlement, I have learned the pain and honor of struggle. Months on end to produce results that formerly took days or weeks. Deals faltering where they had always stuck. The size of the paychecks for those miraculous transactions that have beaten the odds to reach the closing table dwindling in numerical lockstep with the eroded property values in our midst, even as costs continue to rise.
Bill collectors unconcerned about any of it.
There have been personal challenges. The year began with mortality staring unflinchingly into our faces. Loved ones saddled with dreaded diagnoses and marching orders to treacherous corners of an unconcerned earth. And loss. There has been loss. Both that which was not yet in our grasp and that which had been held in loose, complacent grip. In our sorrow, we have found new strength. Renewed commitment. Stronger bonds that will never permit the tenuous clutches of the immediate moment to intrude upon the existence or color pallet of a promised collective future. Deeper reservoirs of ourselves with which to nourish those who require infinite supply.
With a little less than a month remaining in this stanza, I am eager to turn the page, albeit wholly aware that no classic prose is free of drama. That every resolution requires a conflict. When all is said and done, and the metaphorical book of me is written, it will be this very chapter that stands out in full bas relief. I needed 2009 to become who I am to be, and I wouldn’t give it back for all the rotten tomatoes in Shanghai.
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Cheers, little brother. To life!
You've got what it takes. Put that cliche in your stocking and hang it.
More to be said, but that will happen between friends.
Sadly, as you live longer, the number of years you'd rather forget mount.
Do we truly appreciate the "good years"? Probably not.
Do we learn from the lean years or years of tragedy?? Hopefully.
Those little brain imprints give us strength and a foundation on which to persevere and even strive for the next good year.
Just live on. The alternative is not very appealing.
It is the difficult moments in life that show you the inner resolve that you never knew you had. They force you to revaluate and reprioritize in ways you never had to. In the end, you learn to control what you can and release the rest. I personally find peace in that, and for me, that was the lesson I needed to learn.
Unfortunately only bad situations can teach us those valuable lessons. 2010 will be better because of everything you learned about yourself this year. You're fabulous Paul. :)
Thanks, Paul.
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger - so the saying goes. Without hope, what is the point of it all? I'm happy for you - for your wisdom, and for the hope you carry with you.
Hi Paul... you put this all into it's proper context and did so quite elloquently. There is a lesson to be learned from any situation, good or bad, but usually the more trying situations are the lessons that stick with us much longer and shape our perspectives in the future.
Cheers right back at you, Elaine :)
Gary - Sorry for your losses, and good luck with the adventures to come.
Lenn - I'm young enough that this was the first cumulatively bad year on my record, but old enough to be grateful for it. We soldier on.
Melina - You're pretty okay, too ;)
Michael - Now that we are all discernibly stronger and wiser, it sure would be nice to find a nice oasis to this desert, though, wouldn't it? We'll get there.
Steve - Pain is the greatest of teachers, and I've had a private tutor all semester.
hey Paul, such a gift you share with us... translating human animation---the sacred and the profane---into the speed of LIGHT. Reading your post is as though I'm witnessing a shooting star, taking f-Light from the rim of the [ActiveRain] galaxy...Rhythms of a star-studded Universe orchestrate our awakenings, each day as the LIGHT lifts our spirit and gives rise to our imagination, It seems we 'go for the burn' because that is how we are made, and forged into wholeness...maybe God is a blacksmith... deepest peace to you and your precious family, as you continue with greater wisdom, courage and strength...enjoy the Intermission while they change the marquis for 2010 ;-)
Paul - My human thesaurus friend: I am not surprised that you were able to put into words what many would struggle to say. Hope to see you "live and in person" at some point in 2010. You know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - always.
Mara - I always enjoy your comments, microbursts of philosophy that cause me to think before replying. A reflective pause I'd probably be well served to apply in all instances ;)
Jason - 2010 will be kind to us both, I am sure of it. Thank you for your thoughts and friendship.
That blog left me speechless (which isn't easy to do!). You have an amazing capability of drawing us all in to both your turmoil and our own. I am keeping you in my thoughts this year. We have all had our share of distresses over this past year, and we need to find strength in those among us who are still standing. Here's to you...your family...and your perseverance!
Nice of you to put into words what so many of us have been living with you.
Invisible scars and lots of character = 2009.
I enjoyed 2009 quite a bit. I hope 2010 is every bit as good. It was a good year for me.
Hey man, I love your attitude and it's what will carry you through any challenge! You statement, "the likes of which were previously alien to me" remind's me of 1989, the year I started in real estate, in the middle of the S&L crisis, thousands of foreclosures, government foul ups, Banks continual incompetence, hoards of so-called "experts" jabbering up a storm",and on and on...(not to mention similar personal challenges) I am still here and just wish I had gotten it all sooner. It appears you have!
Dang...I am starting to sound like Grandpa Clockwinder and the way back whens...
Best to you in the coming year!
Paul,
Great Post. And you are still here with a great attitude and many victories. Wishing you an outstanding 2010!
All the best.
Suzanne - Thank you, and best wishes to you and yours as well.
Dawn - Good thing, too, because I have been surreptitiously selling my excess character to black market contacts at Freddie Mac.
Russ - My heart beats 2 sizes too small as I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your bountiful year.
Russell - I talk about this market with my pop an awful lot. He lived through the S&L crisis, 18% interest rates, the stagflation of the 70s ... all of it. He's never seen anything quite like the forces of the past couple of years at play. Yet, he's still here, going and blowing, too. It's been tough, but we're all tougher for it. Look forward to kicking down some doors with you in 2010, buddy.
Ad augusta per angusta....
Hi Paul...One thing that comes with age is the knowledge of how much we can endure. It does not make it any more pleasant but, in a way, it does make it easier. There's that realization that things change, sometimes from good to bad and other times from bad to good.
For many of us here in the Rain the good times outweigh the bad and for that we can be grateful.
Paul, you have so many gifts. They will help propel you back to the good times.
Kate
Sure enough, Jess. Plan to carpe some major per diems in 2010.
Kate - Things can snowball when we let them, but I've learned that the good times and the bad don't have to be mutually exclusive. Not even sure they can be, actually. Things happen, and we interpret and adapt. Every set of circumstances is unique and unscripted. There is always some type of muck to wallow in, and there is always a nearby bed of clovers in which to roll. A little of both is natural and necessary. I've had it with the muck for now, though. Coming up for a spell.
Between you and Jessica, I need a translator and a freaking thesaurus. Geez.
Beautifully written as always, P. Those scars may be fresh, but I can tell you from personal experience that they will heal.
Love to you and yours and a toast to a better new year.
Lisa I'm with you on the translator. lol
:)
I know you will (or write a killer novel...). A Happy Holiday season to you and yours!
Trisha - Thank you kindly. Probably not the most productive use of a Real Estate platform, but it's a hobby as much as a marketing tool for me. And don't listen to Lisa. Everything she'll tell you is blatantly true. ;)
Lisa, don't feel left out. That's the extent of my pig Latin. Hoist one with Cap'n hubby for me, and brace the bayou for my coming. Hurricane Paul descends on NAR next year. A couple of days on Bourbon Street and I'm downgraded to a tropical storm.
"With the disjointed gyrations of an industry and market that represent a brand new dance to even the longest tenured vets" - amen.
So Horton speaks Latin, so what? I don't get this post, Slaybaugh? If you are trying to make sense, well, you do better than most.
You're a talented communicator, Mr. Slaybaugh. Your losses this year or past years or even next year... well, I'm sorry for any of that. You're a growing being and deserve none of that, yet will experience it all. I know, master of the obvious, I am.
And listen to Grandpa Clockwinder...
This shit makes me smile...
Well Paul I was thinking of going to NOLA next year for the convention. Not sure since I'm only "pretty okay, too." ;-P
Happy holidays to you and Jason, Jessica.
Ken - Thanks for bearing witness from the congregation.
Sardi - You're still bonkers, so all is right with the world. Good to see you around.
Melina - Would it help if I tagged you with the "neato" moniker?
It sounds like you have had a major roller coaster of a year. I am glad that you have made it almost to the end. Cheers to a great 2010.
I like your writing style Paul...now we must march forward in 2010, no looking back!
Carry on...
We have good years and sucky years...
I remember being so glad when one year was over.
As hard as they are, there are lessons. Sometimes lessons we could not learn without going through them.
Manytimes it is so years we remember the most.
Diamonds come from coal...burn in the fires of life.
Paul:
You have expressed this very well and I feel for the things you have endured this year.
The year certainly had its times of personal sadness and professional challenge. But, when you are still healthy and have loved ones around, you have to be grateful for that, and I am. However, I think I would like to find a t-shirt that says, "I survived 2009" and perhaps start a little business selling them online.
Paul: Thank you. I've found that for every loss there is also a gain. We had to put our dog down recently but that was countered by the birth of our first grandson. Life is full of blessings and challenges. For me, this has been a pretty good year and I look forward to next! Thanks again for the post!
Wish I was 10 years younger, and still knew what I know now.
Big sigh.
I think that is the best description of 2009 that I have heard so far. Glad to see you finding the light in the dark. :)
Sandra Carlisle ... I thought you joined the circus or something. Good to see you back on AR.
I don't care what's going on, you're my favorite pimp. Got any fix-a-flat?
<<HUGS>>
Didn't they provide a spare and a jack, Amanda? No donut?
...nothing to add, Paul. Beautiful you are.
Hugs-
Hi Inna :)