Another Reason I Didn’t Stay In Japan
It’s been already more than 3 weeks since I came back from Japan, an equal amount of time that I was there at my mom’s apartment. While my mom’s still at the hospital awaiting (though I don’t think she knows it) to be transferred to a hospice facility, it was a logical and practical decision that I did not stay longer even though there was certainly an emotional tug on my heart. But there was another reason I had to come back.
Almost 8 month ago (I actually realized it was the day my kitty, Nicola, made her transition) I received a call from a colleague. It was a referral for my real estate business. This young couple had renovated the wife’s childhood home built in ’60s into a “super green” home — DIY mind you. They were looking for a “green realtor,” which of course was moi to sell this home. I’ve worked with them since then to prepare this home to get on the market. We were planning all along to get this property on the market just around April and May. As I faced the challenge of getting to Japan, my trip and this property being ready were getting so close to each other. While I wanted to be in Japan for my mother desperately, it was also important for me to be a hundred percent present for this project and to do everything I can to market this home with due-respect.
Despite my worries of the timing issues with my travel, it turned out things sort of all worked themselves out. After having returned and given myself enough time to recuperate and recharge, we finally put the home on the market this week. This is really exciting as I’ve spent the last 4 years trying to figure out ways to promote and educate about the idea of “green homes.” This home is particularly a perfect one as it is not a high-end new construction with lots of bells and whistles that could be considered “green” but it was a very ordinary home in an ordinary neighborhood that became super extraordinary. It helps to demonstrate “green homes” are not luxury concept but anyone and everyone should really be able to live in a healthy, comfortable and efficient homes. Reducing the carbon footprint as a result is a bonus although that’s what drives me to do this work.
Having also been in the Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy program, this is also relevant for me to integrate my Dharma practice into my “green real estate” work. At the moment, I’m feeling very restless with all the inquiries and media attention about this home. I keep reminding myself to breathe in and breathe out with a gentle awareness on my body, and importantly to practice self-compassion when I am too busy to write my daily gratitude list and weekly letter.