Are You Building Walls or Bridges?

 By Dr. Lori Baker-Schena

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” – Isaac Newton

One of the many gifts of growing older is all of the relationships we make as the years pass by – both personally and professionally.  I believe humans are natural “bonders” – we bond with friends, lovers, family members, significant others, our co-workers … and of course our pets. Some of these relationships nourish us, others hurt us – but the bottom line is that relationships make us human.

More often than not, our moods and our energy are directly linked to these relationships. When relationships are running smoothly, when we are being nurtured and are nurturing others, life is joyful. And when relationships go south, which happens on a regular basis, the world suddenly turns very dark.

The importance of building bridges and connecting with others during our lifetimes cannot be emphasized enough – relationships are what move us forward, give us support, light our way … and if we are lucky enough, relationships bring us great joy.

As we move through this journey, we should take the opportunity to reach out to others and continually build new bridges while nourishing our long-time relationships. Building a community of support allows us to amplify our joyful times and strengthen us when the going gets tough.

Building Bridges In Our Personal Lives

Three key rules:
1.     Don’t take each other for granted.
2.     Be PRESENT when you are with each other.
3.     Let respect and trust be the foundation of your relationship.

Building Bridges In Our Professional Lives

Three key rules:
1.     Be kind and generous with your time, compliments and experience.
2.     Always take the high road – no matter what the challenges.
3.     Base your relationship on mutual respect and mutual trust.

Relationships are tricky and challenging. They can bring us the highest highs, and sink us down to the depths of misery. Yet I believe that the potential for joy outweighs the risk of disappointment in any relationship – which is why we must continue to build bridges to others, even when our natural inclination may be to build a wall.

Dr. Lori Baker-Schena is the founder and chief executive officer of Baker Schena Communications, a firm dedicated to “Unleashing Your Potential Through the Power of Words.” We offer motivational speaking, leadership consulting and medical writing services. Find us at www.loribakerschena.com

Have you checked out the HOA’s bylaws lately?

Have you checked out the HOA’s bylaws lately? If not, now’s a great time to brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the community.

For those of you who were unaware, bylaws play a crucial role in keeping the association running smoothly. Bylaws are legally binding rules and regulations that each homeowner agrees to when he or she purchases a unit within the association. If owners rent out their homes, it’s the owner’s responsibility to inform the new residents of the bylaws as well. Bylaws include stipulations on assessments, building design and additions, and the governance of the association. All residents need to understand these bylaws so they don’t unintentionally violate them; owners can be fined by the association and—in extreme cases—sued for violating bylaws. Owners are empowered when they understand the bylaws and the procedures for changing or amending them when they are no longer applicable or relevant to the community.

       

While they may seem arbitrary, the bylaws are legally enforceable. They also help ensure the association as a whole can thrive and that members are treated fairly and equally. So don’t be left in the dark—check out the association’s bylaws today!

Buyer Beware: Home Inspections

A home is typically the most expensive purchase a person will ever make. Because of this, as much as you may like that property you recently found, it’s critical to get it inspected before finalizing the deal. An inspection gives you an idea of the home’s physical condition, including the heating system, central air system, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement and structural components.

A home inspection addresses what needs to be repaired now and what might need to be repaired in the future. If you have a property inspected before signing a contract, you might be able to negotiate a lower price that reflects the inspection’s findings. Simply because a house needs repairs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. The buyer must decide how much to spend and how much work he or she is willing to do after the purchase.

               

Home inspections don’t cover everything, though. Inspectors aren’t required to identify conditions that are hidden or could be considered latent defects. They don’t have to move personal property, plants, snow or debris to inspect an item, and they aren’t liable if they miss something. Inspectors also don’t have to evaluate systems that aren’t easily accessible, and they don’t have to note whether termites, mold, hazardous plants or animals are present.

It’s not possible to know everything about a house before buying it, but an inspection should give you a good idea about its condition. While the cost of a home inspection is typically based on the size, complexity and number of systems in the property, an inspection can cost as little as a few hundred dollars. Some inspection fees are based on a percentage of the asking price. When calculating the time for lab results, inspections should take only about three weeks to finalize. But that money and time could mean fewer negotiations and surprises, a lower sales price, a decrease in the likelihood of litigation for improper disclosure and an increased chance of closing the deal.

Association Crime Stoppers

Everyone wants a safe place to call home, and our association strives to make all residents feel secure. While we’re diligent in our efforts to reduce possible dangers in our community, we can’t do it alone. It’s up to everyone to pitch in to keep crime rates down. Thankfully, taking a few simple steps can go a long way in keeping theft, vandalism and other felonies and misdemeanors out of the association.

Know Your Neighbors. And not just the neighbors on your block, but also the neighbors from all parts of the association. At the very least, you’ll get a better idea of who actually lives (and in turn, who belongs) here. Talking with your neighbors will also give you the chance to find out if there have noticed any crimes or suspicious activity in the association recently so that you can be on the lookout as well. Consider creating and distributing a list with everyone’s contact information so that you and your neighbors can alert each other of any problems that arise. Of course, be sure to get your neighbors’ permission first to put their information on the list.

Leave The Light On. A good way to deter felons from breaking into your home is to make sure your front porch light stays on all night, even when you’re out of town. Not only does it signal that someone’s home, it also makes it harder for vandals to hide among the shadows. If you’re worried that you’ll either forget to turn the light on at night or off in the morning, you can purchase an inexpensive timer that will automatically do that for you every day. Also, if you see any street lights around the association that are burnt out, please let the board know as soon as possible so that we can replace them for everyone’s safety.

Lock Up. If you want to keep unwanted guests out, don’t make your home inviting. Even when you’re around, it’s best to keep all gates, doors and garages locked at all times. It’s also a good idea to keep your windows closed and locked when possible, especially if they’re on the ground floor.

Put On Your Walking Shoes. Taking as stroll around the association isn’t just good exercise. You can casually patrol the community for anything suspicious or usual, as well as swap notes about criminal activity in the area with other neighbors who are out and about. Also, when more residents regularly walk around the association, it can help scare off hooligans who are afraid of getting caught in the act.

Clean It Up. Picking up litter, removing graffiti and keeping trees, bushes and lawns trimmed not only makes the association look better, but also sends the message that our residents are diligent about keeping the neighborhood a respectable place to live. This can help discourage troublemakers from hanging around our community and encourage responsible and involved people to move to the association.

See Something, Say Something. If you notice a crime or a suspicious activity, regardless of how small the incident may seem, notify association security and the police immediately. Of course, only call 911 if it is an emergency; otherwise, contact the police on their non-emergency line.

We all have a responsibility to our community to help keep it safe, and incorporating even a few of these tips can go a long way. Do your part to make our association a place you’re happy to call home.  

Reaching Others When Disasters Strike

The first thing many of us do during or immediately following a natural disaster is to call family and friends. Unfortunately, in the minutes and hours after a disaster, overloaded cell phone networks can make it difficult—if not impossible—to reach others. While there is no guarantee, the following tips can increase your chances of getting through when it matters most.

·         Even if you have a traditional landline, keep a corded phone in your home. It will work even if you lose power.

·         Keep a list of emergency phone numbers in your cell phone and near your home phone.

·         Prepare a family contact sheet with at least one out-of-town person who can serve as your family’s emergency contact. Often it’s easier to make long distance rather than local calls during an emergency.

·         Have charged batteries and car phone chargers for back-up power.

·         Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments and schools to receive emergency alerts.

·         Use text messaging, e-mail or social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked In instead of making calls on your cell phone. Texts and e-mails are less likely to experience network congestion. You can use social media to let family and friends know you’re okay.

·         Keep phone calls brief to avoid tying up voice networks.

·         Conserve your cell phone battery by reducing screen brightness and closing apps you are not using.

·         Limit streaming videos, downloading music or playing video games on cell phones after a disaster to help emergency calls get through to 911.

·         Call 911 only if you have a life-threatening emergency.