"Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow - perhaps it all will." - Albert Einstein

I don't sell houses for a living. I really don't. That's what many people think of when they hear the word Realtor, but I actually help people for a living. That's the biggest reason that I do what I do.

When I agree to list a property for sale, or embark on a search to help someone find a new place to call home, I am actually there to help them through a process. At that point, they are ready to transition into a different phase of their lives - saying goodbye to the past and saying hello to a new opportunity. And they need someone to guide them through it, to varying degrees, whether it's some basic services or a full-blown hand-holding. When I agree to work with someone, I am on board for as little or as much as they need to make it to the finish line, otherwise known as the closing table.

But that is a highly individual process, never quite the same for any two people even though there may be many parallels. There is no such thing as a "typical" transaction, because each home that I sell or help someone buy is unique, just as each person that I help is also unique. I may be meeting them at one of the happiest (but stressful) times in their lives, as when a young couple is searching for their first home. I may also be meeting them at one of the most bittersweet (and stressful) times in their lives, such as a widow saying goodbye to a home full of cherished memories. A fair amount of stress is inevitable during periods of change like these, and that's where helpfulness really comes into play.

Since everyone handles stress differently, being helpful is not a one-size-fits-all action. For some, I need to present them with information and step back while they make their decisions. Others are served best when I inform, explain, illustrate options and run through it all again. Sometimes I'm a cheerleader, encouraging them to take the necessary steps to reach their goals. At other times, I'm lending an ear and a shoulder to cry on when they feel overwhelmed. That's okay with me, because I wouldn't be happy if I didn't go all-in each and every time.

As I make the journey with each client, I end up sharing a part of myself. In the process of giving my care and attention to them, I also receive much in return: the camaraderie of a shared adventure, the chance to connect with and get to know some terrific people, and the knowledge that I've had a part in helping them reach the place they wanted to be in their lives. The end result of my efforts to help are not always readily apparent; but weeks, months or even years later, I may still reap the rewards. I've received referrals from word of mouth, and some real friendships have formed, the type that give you a warm feeling when the world seems cold.

I'm sure most people seldom consider these aspects when deciding to become a Realtor - I know I didn't. But I quickly realized this is not a shallow pursuit; the need for guidance through the tricky and uncertain process is real. Along the way I keep planting the seeds of helpfulness, because the effort is worth it for my clients, and for me.