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One of my favorite proverbs is, "May you live in interesting times." Would you agree those times are here and now- ? If you have any doubts, simply travel abroad. You'll view current events from a fresh perspective, as I discovered on our recent trip to. Ireland. Negotiation, communication & resolving differences--possibly no nation on Earth knows more about this than the Irish. They offer us a history lesson with flowers to celebrate a recent resolution.
For real estate professionals who understand the importance of negotiation, communication and resolution, Ireland's long history of conflict, from the mid-5th when St. Patrick (and other missionaries) brought Christianity, subsumed pagan beliefs and subsequently played a major role in Ireland's history, culture and internal conflict is fascinating. 
Here I am, a shadow by the stone marking the place where
St. Patrick is said to be buried.
According to Wikipedia, "...from around 800, more than a century of Viking invasions wrought havoc upon the monastic culture and on the island's various regional dynasties, yet both of these institutions proved strong enough to survive and assimilate the invaders. The coming of Anglo-Norman mercenaries ... marked the beginning of more than 800 years of direct English involvement in Ireland. ...[A} series of military campaigns between 1534 and 1691[and]...an official English policy of plantation ... led to the arrival of thousands of English and Scottish Protestant settlers. From this period on, sectarian conflict became a recurrent theme in Irish history."
Today, the people of Ireland are choosing negotiation and communication. Resolving differences, they have created a certain respectful peace. How did they accomplish this? They did it through talking with each other. There is an application of this in the practice of real estate, to be sure.
Getting Perspective: We hopped the bus into Dublin, checked into our hotel and then strolled along a main thoroughfare. We could not believe the busy throngs of people walking wide sidewalks on this partly-sunny day. Dublin was really hopping. Later we'd head out to a pub just down the street. Get some fish and chips. First, however, I wanted to capture a few shots of Dublin's overflowing hanging baskets.
To me flowers overflowing are reflective of peace and creativity, simultaneously arrived. 
I have to say that my photos on this page don't do the flower baskets justice. But I hope you get a sense of something we all can celebrate .
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Laurie~
We love to send baskets of flowers when welcoming home our clients. Possibly that sense of belonging and celebration is part of the beauty flowers convey. Glad you liked the photos.
Stephanie~
Talk about a bit of history...I read that YOU are famous...quoted and referred to...so I send you a wild Irish rose and hopes that we all can enjoy this celebration of your contributions.
Roberta~
And the lessons in negotiated settlement may be useful for those of us in the real estate profession and our clients...especially during challenging times. . .
Jeff~
There was a family of 5 sitting next to me on the plane. The trip was amazingly easy and on time...so possibly in a couple years when the baby is ready, you all will take the adventure and go across the sea to Ireland. I sure hope so...
Lysa~
Dublin definitely is like new York or London...but still maintains that special charm. Mayb e that is why the city has attracted so many business interests in recent years...software companies in particular. (Good to note for real estate investors.)
Lola~
The more I get outside the box, so-to-speak, of my own small territory, the more I am able to open my eyes to wise choices being made in cities and nations....ones that may surround me every day, but that I may miss...
You mentioned..."the power and value of communicationsin settling conflicts.." just one example from which we all can take heart...and so applicable in the practice of real estate.
Jason~
"...interesting times...." if we can just keep our focus on the interesting and not get into fray, we all may win....again, applicable in the practice of real estate, do you think?
Mary~
You pointed out that..."flowers ...demonstrate the care the residents have for their homes and businesses ..."
I am thinking now that here, too is something to bring to our a practice of real estate...
By sharing the "curb appeal" (so easy to make happen)
our clients (we) can bring a positive sense to our work. I'm all for that...how about you?
JaneAnne,
I'm jealous, I want to go back. Sounds like you had a great time, did you do any of your own driving or were you on a bus? I LOVE driving in Ireland. they sure do have many things worked out that we could learn from.
Are you familiar with the instant run-off voting system that they use? What a great system. No throw away votes, for the candidate that you want, but don't vote for because the vote would spoil your second choice.
Did you get up into the occupied counties? That is often quite the education in itself.
I hold out hope for this round of talks, but I will always be skeptical of the politics involved there. "Once bitten and all that". You do know that the recent "Troupe pull-out" did not actually mean that the British army removed their troupes. Just redeployed to barracks duty, in other words, right there!
janeAnne - we do certainly live in interesting times, that's for sure! Your pictures are wonderful, and I love how you brought Irish philosophies into this post.....we could all do with a little help in resolving conflicts at times.
Ann