Okay, so my family has watched enough episodes now for me to
properly formulate an opinion. The couples on Love It or List It come
across generally ungrateful. During the transformation of their home. When the
renovations are complete, they can’t help but fawn over what Hilary has done or the stunning house David has found for them.
If you’re wondering what the heck I’m referring to I’ll give
you the two second spiel. Couple debates whether to fix up home or sell it. In
moves Hilary with her magical visionary thinking and hearty team to do
wonders. In moves David, real estate agent extraordinaire to convince them to list by
showing the couple spotless properties that curiously are often priced above
their budget. They ultimately must choose whether they love the changes or
they’ll list their house and move on to “greener” pastures.
Hint: Hilary is always slammed with some unexpected (and of
course expensive) structural or plumbing problem.
Therein is the telling word—unexpected.
When Hilary broaches the couple midway through the process
with the hiccups, they’re often rude and disgruntled, fast to lose trust in her
vision. They become nicer to David, more open-minded on the next house hunt.
The psychology is enchanting.
And every single time
it comes down to expectations.
No one likes to be thrown a curveball. But our expectations
say a lot about us.
I can get sidetracked by materialism with the best of them,
but it might be fun to shed light on my first rental. I lived in the downstairs
of a colonial. Beautiful hardwood floors. High ceilings. Now for my furniture:
mattress on the floor, light on the floor, papasan, toaster oven-sized TV, stacks
of books cropping up like anthills, and I’m having trouble remembering anything
else. I lived this way until my boyfriend (now husband) took pity on me and
began hauling in furniture his parents had given him. Here’s the thing…I was
perfectly content that way.
My expectations and neediness (or lack thereof) shaped my
outlook. I was full.
I try to remember this whenever I zap into “mine all mine”
mode, whenever I start drooling over the next ___________. Sure, nice things
are nice. They’re fun. But they won’t better us. A new house or even an
improved house for that matter won’t add to who we are.
I made the connection the other day between Love It or List It and the publishing
process. We’re constantly poised to feel like we need more. More validation,
more readers, more reviews, more stars, more fans on Facebook, more than one
book published, etc. We struggle to feel full. We fight to keep trusting when
we’re thrown a curveball. Enchanting psychology.
Here’s where it’s at…We are wise to cling to a spirit of
gratitude. Whether it’s our homes being gutted or our souls, we’re constantly
given opportunities to rise to resiliency when we’re sideswiped with the
unexpected. It’s all on loan. Temporary.
What reminds you to be grateful?
Now off to watch Property
Brothers. ;-)
*I will say I have no idea how I’d react if a budgeted plan
got majorly altered. What comes across as the couples acting ungrateful could
be a natural response.
**photo by stock.XCHNG
