Durham, North Carolina mourns the death of Lista Yarbrough...a fellow REALTOR® and my friend

Today, after a five year battle with cancer, Lista Yarbrough went home to be with the Lord.
(July 1, 1973 - January 17, 2008)

As the Vice President of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® and a top-producing agent with Realty Executives Triangle, Lista was well-known and well-loved by her peers in the real estate business. Since her diagnosis of cancer in 2003, Lista has fought couragiously...openly sharing her story in order to inspire others to fight also. Her death leaves a void that only her contagious smile and loving heart could ever fill.

When I remember Lista, I think of the words 'selfless giving'. Despite her difficult, five year struggle with cancer, Lista always found a way to give of herself to others. I personally believe that she found her strength to keep fighting by giving of herself. She was an amazing woman and an example for all of us to follow.

Since 2003, Lista has participated in the annual Triangle Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Even this past June, she ran the whole race without stopping...even though she was still in recovery from chemotherapy. Her team, Lace up for Lista, raised over $6000 for breast cancer research. In 2003, she also organized volunteers to provide care packages to patients beginning chemotherapy. The Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® honored her with their Service Award in 2004.

Lista, we'll all miss you very much...but we'll never forget the example you set for us! You showed us the real meaning of life...living for others and not for yourself. It was my honor and privilege to be your friend!

Flowers are being accepted, or memorials may be made in Lista's name to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, P.O. Box 71922, Durham, NC 27722. The donations will be applied to Lista's team for this year's race.

Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

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What's YOUR Why???

WHO...WHAT...WHEN...WHERE...HOW??? Remember learning that in school? Our teachers taught us that every story needs to answer these five questions. But...wait...where's the 'WHY'??? I mean...isn't that what we really want to know?

By nature...by divine design...we humans are curious creatures. Unless we know the 'why', we care little about the 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where' or 'how'.

For example...

When my first daughter was born, I imagined a delicate, little princess who would grow up believing that I had ALL of the answers...ACCEPTING everything I told her without question. (This is the point in the story when my husband chuckles and says, 'Yeah right...she's YOUR daughter!') BOY...was I in la la land!!!

One of her first words was 'diet coke' (thanks to our good friends, Bill and Kathi)...followed very quickly by 'WHY'. I always told myself that when my children asked me 'WHY', I would never tell them...'Because I said so!'. Yet, at times, I didn't have an answer. Not wantiing to be THAT mom who could not give my children answers...I realized that I better find out the 'WHY' so that I would be prepared when they asked.

I EVEN made a deal with my children that...IF they did not agree with me, they could discuss (debate) any/all of their objections with me...AS LONG AS they had a well thought out argument and presented it with respect. (This little plan bit me in the behind when they were teenagers! I had trained them so well in the art of argument that I rarely won.)

ALL of the 'stuff' I learned from being (SUPER)mom...I've applied to my real estate career. (Further proof that everything we experience in life makes us better and stronger and prepares us for the next step of our journey.)

When I was newly licensed, I asked myself "Why would ANYONE want to work with me when there are so many experienced agents 'out there'?" By anticipating their questions, I was able to prepare myself for the answer(s) I would give them. I even made a list of ALL the reasons that they should choose me. Then, I decided that I would answer their questions even before they asked. Of course, by 'putting it out there' upfront, it forced me to live up to the expectations I had created. I couldn't tell them that I was the best because I did X,Y and Z IF I did not do X,Y and Z! The most amazing thing is that...because I 'put it out there'...no one ever asked.

Today...in this post...I'm not going to discuss my 'WHY'...my X,Y and Z. It's not important. WHY? It's not important because my 'WHY' is my 'WHY'. You don't need my 'WHY'...you need to find your 'WHY'

Ask yourself...what do you bring to the table that is special and unique. What sets you apart from the other 5000 agents in your market? What life experiences have you had that give you an edge...give you the ability to relate to a certain type of client? What makes you tick? Why did you become a real estate agent in the first place? IF you were a customer, why would you choose to work with you?

IF you have never asked yourself these questions, you may discover things about yourself that you didn't know before. WHAT you discover may prove to be the key to your success. What's your WHY??? When you find out...let me (and the rest of the world) know. We'll be anxiously waiting!

If you have enjoyed this article, let me know. It is so encouraging to hear from you guys!

Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

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