International Friendship Day was celebrated on July 30th. The test belsimple reminder of what makes some friends your best friends.

Some friends know how to be a polite guest in your home. An authentic friend opens your refrigerator and helps themselves.

Some friends have never seen you cry. A dear friend has shoulders that have been soggy from your tears.

Some friends don’t know your parents' first names. A close friend has texted your parents.

Some friends bring a dish to your party. A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to clean up ... and knows where you keep everything.

Some friends hate it when you call after they’ve gone to bed. A humble friend asks why it's been so long.

Some friends want you to be more like them. A true friend loves you just as you are.

Some people think that a friendship is over after an argument. A weathered friend reaches out with a well-timed phone call.

Some friends expect you to always be there for them. A selfless friend knows that they will always be there for you!

Friendship Day is a reason to celebrate all your real friends who allow you to be the same for them

Gino Pezzani
DIEN Realty
604-418-9366
Read

A primary care physician is your first line of defense in maintaining good health. Finding one you like and trust may take a little effort. Here’s some advice from the Healthline website:

Check your network. Staying within your health plan’s network can save you money. Look through your plan’s documents to locate primary care doctors in your community.

Talk to your family and friends. Ask who they go to, and whether they like and trust them. You can also look to other health care workers you know such as your pharmacist, physical therapist, eye doctor, and other health care professionals.

Consider the location. Is it easy for you to visit the doctor’s office? Ask about public transportation, parking, and other access issues. If your doctor’s office is inconvenient to get to, you won’t go as often as you should.

Check availability. How busy is the doctor? Will you be able to get an appointment when you need one? Are tele-visits an option? You should be able to see a doctor quickly when you need to.

Meet the staff. You’ll be interacting with nurses and assistants, not just the doctor. On your first visit, see if they’re friendly and helpful so you’ll be comfortable sharing your concerns with them.

Group vs. Individual practice. In a group practice, you may not always get to see the doctor you choose. On the flip side, if the doctor is a solo practitioner, their availability may be limited.

Read

What advice would you give to your younger self? The website of the World Economic Forum shares these insights from some successful female CEOs:

Ellison Anne Williams, CEO and founder, Enveil: “Careers are nonlinear. At each step, choose opportunities based more on what you think you will learn from it than on where you think that it might take you. A diverse set of experiences is invaluable in building a rich career.”

Netta Korin, co-founder, Orbs: “Above all else, dare. Do not let fear get in the way of your success or of your choices. Do not look at your role models and wonder if— or fear that—you are not enough, or that you do not have what it takes.”

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech: “Be positive. See the potential for good outcomes, while still being aware of the risks. Focus on the prize—if you fail, course correct, learn, and move on!”

Read

All of us are born with creative minds, but some of us lose the habit. The Entrepreneur magazine website offers these tips for getting your creative mojo back:

Practice mindful observation. You look, but do you really see? Make a practice of observing and appreciating the details of your surroundings. You may see, hear, smell, or feel things you never noticed before, giving you new ideas and insights.

Rev up your curiosity. Make a point of asking questions about everything you see and do, even if you think you already know the answers. Exploring situations more deeply can yield fresh insights into everyday problems.

Free your mind. Forget limitations. When you brainstorm, think beyond boundaries and conventional wisdom. Don’t accept the tried and true—instead, teach yourself to look at what seems impossible. You could find a way to make the impossible come true.

Practice being creative. Don’t wait until a problem erupts to flex your creative muscles. Your mind will be in better shape if you look for opportunities to be creative every day. Imagine a small problem and spend a few minutes thinking of new and different ways to solve it. You’ll be ready when you really need a spark of inspiration.

Read

The origins of some figures of speech are obvious—putting the cart before the horse, for instance. Others are a little more obscure. From Jeff Rovin’s book The Unbelievable Truth!, here’s a look at the explanations behind three common expressions:

Pulling the wool over their eyes. In the 17th and 18th centuries, thieves and robbers would yank their victim's wool wigs down over their eyes so they couldn’t see who was attacking them.

Blackmail. In 16th-century England, mail meant “rent” or “tribute.” Debts that had to be paid in silver were called “whitemail.” A debt that could be paid in any other way— from livestock to property—was called “blackmail.” Because blackmail did not have a set value, the person collecting the debt could extort any amount or anything they wished from the debtor.

Red tape. For centuries, it was British custom to seal important documents with red wax and red tape. Cutting through it was the only way to get at the documents and read them.

Read

Communication is at the heart of good leadership. Here’s some advice from Forbes on what kind of obstacles to look for and how to overcome them:

Insufficient communication. Employees need information to do their jobs effectively. Keeping them in the dark about what’s going on in your organization and industry prevents them from serving customers efficiently and making good decisions about priorities. Some information is confidential and proprietary, of course, but you should generally strive to share as much as possible.

Too much information. On the opposite extreme, employees can feel overwhelmed if you communicate too much. Don’t send dozens of emails to your entire workforce. Target information to the right people, and keep them short so people can find the point quickly and easily. Make more information available for people who want it instead of dumping everything into one huge message.

Difficult communication structures. Don’t place too many rules on how people communicate. Requiring employees to reach out to other departments only through their managers can slow or even strangle the flow of information. Encourage open communication in all directions throughout your organization.

Not listening to employees. Communication shouldn’t be a one-way street. If you’re doing all the talking, employees will tune out. If you’re not asking questions and listening to people, you won’t know what’s going on in your organization. Get feedback from all levels and pay attention to what people are saying, or you’ll miss important news and developments from the front lines.

Read

Selenium is a nutrient necessary for good health. It supports reproductive health, the thyroid, DNA production, defense against infections, and more. Selenium deficiency can lead to heart disease, infertility, and arthritis and may be related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.

The Medical News Today website advises eating these foods that are rich in selenium: 

Brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, sardines, shrimp, turkey, beef liver, chicken, cottage cheese, brown rice, eggs, whole wheat bread, and baked beans.

Read

A Zen master once gave his student a piece of silk fabric that had been twisted and tied into many knots. Yet he told the student it was a beautiful kite that he should fly in the garden.

The student took hold of the mess he’d been handed, unsure what to make of it. Then he carefully began to undo each knot and twist. With the fabric smoothed out, he attached the frame and tether.

He released the kite, and the wind carried it high into the air. The student admired the ease with which the kite sailed through the air.

At that moment, he understood that for his life to be as light and free as the kite, he would need to undo the problems that kept his heart knotted up and tangled into a hard lump.

Read

A man was visiting the zoo one day. As he was passing the elephant enclosure, he suddenly stopped. The majestic creatures were restrained by only a small rope tied to their front leg—no chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break free, but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer standing nearby and asked why the elephants did not attempt to get away.

“Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller, we use the same size rope to tie them.

 At that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they continue to believe they cannot break away. They think the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

 The visitor was amazed. These enormous beasts could break free from their bonds whenever they wanted, but they felt they were stuck because they thought they couldn’t.

 Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that restrains us simply because it held us back once before?

Read

Well, it’s August which means it’s hot! Summer is in full swing, and the sun is burning bright. Burning, like fire. Every time I think about the fire, I think about transformation. Think about it, when you light a fire and place something in there, it turns into something else: ash. And it will never be what it once was. You cannot get it back. It’s been transformed forever.

We are evolving beings, so we change. My message for you this month is one of transformation. If you’re finding yourself in a middle of a shift, let it happen. It’s likely uncomfortable, but that’s okay. It’s supposed to be.

Imagine the classic visual of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. I’ll bet if that caterpillar could talk, it wouldn’t say that time in the cocoon was all roses. Sit with the discomfort of change, knowing that the benefits will soon outweigh the discomfort. And always remember to be gentle with yourself; you are a work in progress.

If you’re finding this change to be particularly challenging, I encourage you to look back at another hard time in your life. Without reliving the painful memory too much, ask yourself, “How did I overcome this? How do I feel about it now?” I can almost guarantee your feelings about something that once felt unbearable, in hindsight, doesn’t sting as much today. All things take time, including whatever you’re moving through at this moment. Always remember, this too shall pass, and just like the sweltering heat of summer… this too shall pass.

Warm Regards,

Gino Pezzani

Read
Categories:   Albion, Maple Ridge Real Estate | April 2023 Newsletter | April Newsletter 2022 | Arbutus, Vancouver West Real Estate | August 2021 News | August 2022 Newsletter | August 2023 Newsletters | Bank | Blueridge NV, North Vancouver Real Estate | Brentwood Park, Burnaby North Real Estate | Brighouse South, Richmond Real Estate | Brighouse, Richmond Real Estate | British Properties, West Vancouver Real Estate | Burke Mountain, Coquitlam Real Estate | Burnaby Lake, Burnaby South Real Estate | Cambie, Vancouver West Real Estate | Canadian Employment | Canadian Inflation | Canyon Heights NV, North Vancouver Real Estate | Canyon Springs, Coquitlam Real Estate | Capitol Hill BN, Burnaby North Real Estate | Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver Real Estate | Central Park BS, Burnaby South Real Estate | Champlain Heights, Vancouver East Real Estate | Citadel PQ, Port Coquitlam Real Estate | Cloverdale BC, Cloverdale Real Estate | Coal Harbour, Vancouver West Real Estate | Collingwood VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Coquitlam West, Coquitlam Real Estate | COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard | December 2021 Newsletter | December 2022 Newsletter | December 2023 Newsletter | Delta Manor, Ladner Real Estate | Downtown NW, New Westminster Real Estate | Downtown VW, Vancouver West Real Estate | Downtown, Vancouver West Real Estate | Dunbar, Vancouver West Real Estate | Eagle Harbour, West Vancouver Real Estate | East Burnaby, Burnaby East Real Estate | East Newton, Surrey Real Estate | East Richmond, Richmond Real Estate | Fairview VW, Vancouver West Real Estate | False Creek, Vancouver West Real Estate | February Newsletter 2022 | February Newsletter 2023 | February Newsletter 2024 | Forest Hills BN, Burnaby North Real Estate | Fraser VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Fraserview NW, New Westminster Real Estate | Fraserview VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | GDP | Grandview VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Grandview Woodland, Vancouver East Real Estate | Greentree Village, Burnaby South Real Estate | Hamilton RI, Richmond Real Estate | Hamilton, Richmond Real Estate | Hastings, Vancouver East Real Estate | Highgate, Burnaby South Real Estate | House Marketing | Housing Starts | Interest Rate | Ironwood, Richmond Real Estate | January Newsletter 2022 | January Newsletter 2023 | January Newsletter 2024 | July 2021 Newsletter | July 2022 Newsletter | July 2023 Newsletter | June 2022 Newsletter | June 2023 Newsletter | Killarney VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Kitsilano, Vancouver West Real Estate | Knight, Vancouver East Real Estate | Letter From The Heart | Lions Bay, West Vancouver Real Estate | Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver Real Estate | Maillardville, Coquitlam Real Estate | Main, Vancouver East Real Estate | March Newsletter 2022 | March Newsletter 2023 | March Newsletter 2024 | May 2022 Newsletter | May 2023 Newsletter | Meadow Brook, Coquitlam Real Estate | Metrotown, Burnaby South Real Estate | Mount Pleasant VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Mount Pleasant VW, Vancouver West Real Estate | New Horizons, Coquitlam Real Estate | Newsletter November 2021 | North Coquitlam, Coquitlam Real Estate | North Vancouver Real Estate | November 2021 Newsletter | November 2022 Newsletter | November 2023 Newsletter | November Newsletter 2021 | October 2021 Newsletter | October 2022 Newsletter | October 2023 Newsletter | Pebble Hill, Tsawwassen Real Estate | Pictures and thoughts to share | Point Grey, Vancouver West Real Estate | Quay, New Westminster Real Estate | Queen Mary Park Surrey, Surrey Real Estate | Queensborough, New Westminster Real Estate | Quilchena, Vancouver West Real Estate | Richmond Real Estate | S.W. Marine, Vancouver West Real Estate | Sapperton, New Westminster Real Estate | September 2021 News | September 2022 Newsletter | September 2023 Newsletter | Silver Valley, Maple Ridge Real Estate | Simon Fraser Univer., Burnaby North Real Estate | Sold listings | South Granville, Vancouver West Real Estate | South Marine, Vancouver East Real Estate | South Slope, Burnaby South Real Estate | South Surrey White Rock Real Estate | Squamish Real Estate | Steveston South, Richmond Real Estate | Sullivan Heights, Burnaby North Real Estate | The Crest, Burnaby East Real Estate | Tsawwassen Central, Tsawwassen Real Estate | University VW, Vancouver West Real Estate | Upper Eagle Ridge, Coquitlam Real Estate | Uptown NW, New Westminster Real Estate | vancouver island Real Estate | Vancouver Real Estate | Victoria VE, Vancouver East Real Estate | Victoria VE, Vancouver West Real Estate | WALL CENTRE FALSE CREEK, Vancouver West Real Estate | West End VW, Vancouver West Real Estate | Westwood Plateau, Coquitlam Real Estate | Whalley, North Surrey Real Estate | Whalley, Surrey Real Estate | Willoughby Heights, Langley Real Estate | Yale - Dogwood Valley, Vancouver West Real Estate | Yaletown, Vancouver West Real Estate | Yel | Yelllow Newsletter July 2022 | Yellow Newletter December 2021 | Yellow Newletter June 2022 | Yellow Newsletter | Yellow Newsletter April 2022 | Yellow Newsletter April 2023 | Yellow Newsletter August 2021 | Yellow Newsletter August 2022 | Yellow Newsletter August 2023 | Yellow Newsletter December 2021 | Yellow Newsletter December 2022 | Yellow Newsletter December 2023 | Yellow Newsletter February 2022 | Yellow Newsletter February 2023 | Yellow Newsletter February 2024 | Yellow Newsletter January 2022 | Yellow Newsletter January 2023 | Yellow Newsletter January 2024 | Yellow Newsletter July 2022 | Yellow Newsletter July 2023 | Yellow Newsletter June 2022 | Yellow Newsletter June 2023 | Yellow Newsletter March 2022 | Yellow Newsletter March 2023 | Yellow Newsletter March 2024 | Yellow Newsletter May 2022 | Yellow Newsletter May 2023 | Yellow Newsletter November 2021 | Yellow Newsletter November 2022 | Yellow Newsletter November 2023 | Yellow Newsletter October 2021 | Yellow Newsletter October 2022 | Yellow Newsletter October 2023 | Yellow Newsletter October, 2021 | Yellow Newsletter September 2021 | Yellow Newsletter September 2022 | Yellow Newsletter September 2023
Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.