A Small Victory
Awakening
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Beautiful Texas hillcountry
Posts: 1,272
A Small Victory
Time flies, DD and I had to leave the "big house" for our little 1br apt almost a year ago. It's O.K., it's cozy!
Anyway the landlord called and said he'd sent over the re-up papers for the lease. They got here last Monday and my rent was increased by $100 per month, quite a jump. My initial reaction was "how dare he, $100 per month is way outta line etc.."
So I've been taught in Alanon and by you fine people the 3 A's, Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. The old me would have really monkied up the whole deal by jumping strait from awareness to action. That is what I call Reacting. Did it for years with the same dismal results.
So I didn't do anything for a week, what's the rush? I let it sink in, my rent was going to go up $100, I don't like that, that will put me in a financial bind. I have options now, if I'd jumped strait to the phone and given this man a piece of my mind, I'd have to move for sure.
Truth is I hate moving, I need this place 1 more year to get a house. I know I can get a house, I've had lots of houses, my mom taught me...buy a house, rent is throwing money away. Any way, I calmed down and put in a call to Mr. LL to at least discuss it yesterday. 20 calls later, apparently he didn't want to have this talk either!
I finally got him on the phone. Oh almost forgot, prayed for Hp to please speak thru me and I turned over the outcome, $100 will come from somewhere...it'll be O.K. Told him I was a bit taken aback by the significant increase. Then I shut up. He stated that the units were going for 650 now. I said I don't doubt that. He was rifleing thru his computer trying to find more info to justify his position.
I said do you mind if I speak while you are looking? I said let me be honest with you, whatever happens I need this apt for 1 more year, I'm not going to get mad and pack up my stuff and move out, cause frankly it's just not worth it. My DD and I have been excellent tenants, our rent is always on time, we are quiet and respectful of our neighbors, and even when they aren't of us, we simply put in our ear plugs and carry on, we don't call you or bother the police. We take care of your property and We haven't bothered you with every little maintenance issue that comes along. In short if all your tenants were like DD and I, I'll bet your work related stress would be practically nonexhistant. Based on what I've just said I would like to respectfully request that you reconsider and meet me half way at $600 per month for the next year.
He paused for a few moments, and said,"yes, I can do that".
Hot damn, Alanon and you guys taught me to ASK FOR WHAT I WANT. You may not always get what you ask for, but you atleast increase your odds dramatically. Who'd of thought.
Thanks you guys and God bless us all, :ghug3
Coyote
Anyway the landlord called and said he'd sent over the re-up papers for the lease. They got here last Monday and my rent was increased by $100 per month, quite a jump. My initial reaction was "how dare he, $100 per month is way outta line etc.."
So I've been taught in Alanon and by you fine people the 3 A's, Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. The old me would have really monkied up the whole deal by jumping strait from awareness to action. That is what I call Reacting. Did it for years with the same dismal results.
So I didn't do anything for a week, what's the rush? I let it sink in, my rent was going to go up $100, I don't like that, that will put me in a financial bind. I have options now, if I'd jumped strait to the phone and given this man a piece of my mind, I'd have to move for sure.
Truth is I hate moving, I need this place 1 more year to get a house. I know I can get a house, I've had lots of houses, my mom taught me...buy a house, rent is throwing money away. Any way, I calmed down and put in a call to Mr. LL to at least discuss it yesterday. 20 calls later, apparently he didn't want to have this talk either!
I finally got him on the phone. Oh almost forgot, prayed for Hp to please speak thru me and I turned over the outcome, $100 will come from somewhere...it'll be O.K. Told him I was a bit taken aback by the significant increase. Then I shut up. He stated that the units were going for 650 now. I said I don't doubt that. He was rifleing thru his computer trying to find more info to justify his position.
I said do you mind if I speak while you are looking? I said let me be honest with you, whatever happens I need this apt for 1 more year, I'm not going to get mad and pack up my stuff and move out, cause frankly it's just not worth it. My DD and I have been excellent tenants, our rent is always on time, we are quiet and respectful of our neighbors, and even when they aren't of us, we simply put in our ear plugs and carry on, we don't call you or bother the police. We take care of your property and We haven't bothered you with every little maintenance issue that comes along. In short if all your tenants were like DD and I, I'll bet your work related stress would be practically nonexhistant. Based on what I've just said I would like to respectfully request that you reconsider and meet me half way at $600 per month for the next year.
He paused for a few moments, and said,"yes, I can do that".
Hot damn, Alanon and you guys taught me to ASK FOR WHAT I WANT. You may not always get what you ask for, but you atleast increase your odds dramatically. Who'd of thought.
Thanks you guys and God bless us all, :ghug3
Coyote
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Stumbling toward happiness
Posts: 4,706
I have an old friend who taught me her mantra: Ask for what you need, and offer what you can.
Sounds like you have done just that. What a terrific post, and what a great approach for you to take.
Awesome!
Sounds like you have done just that. What a terrific post, and what a great approach for you to take.
Awesome!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 2,936
Hi Coyote--
No "Thanks " Button yet on the "new" forum so I'll do it the old fashioned way: THANKS!!
What a picture of rational behavior and how you worked through the natural "emotional" stages but were careful with your "behavior!"
Peace-
B.
No "Thanks " Button yet on the "new" forum so I'll do it the old fashioned way: THANKS!!
What a picture of rational behavior and how you worked through the natural "emotional" stages but were careful with your "behavior!"
Peace-
B.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Swish Alps, SF CA
Posts: 2,144
great story, really inspiring
I have to say though, If I would have written a story with the term "The Big House" in it, it would have meant "jail" but I was always a bit of a bad lad.
:ghug2
I have to say though, If I would have written a story with the term "The Big House" in it, it would have meant "jail" but I was always a bit of a bad lad.
:ghug2
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,294
Very coo-el.
And even cooler, your landlord now has ratcheted up his respect for you a few notches. There may be more rewards to come for this, you never know! I'll bet he's still thinking about your response.
I think this share made my day, to think how successful program thinking and behavior are, to improving one's life.
Thanks!
And even cooler, your landlord now has ratcheted up his respect for you a few notches. There may be more rewards to come for this, you never know! I'll bet he's still thinking about your response.
I think this share made my day, to think how successful program thinking and behavior are, to improving one's life.
Thanks!
Living in a Pinkful Place
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 7,545
A rational conversation - hmm so that's what one sounds like -
I gotta remember to try that!! (LOL)
This really shows how well your program is working in all aspects of your life!
Thanks for sharing,
HUGS,
Rita
I gotta remember to try that!! (LOL)
This really shows how well your program is working in all aspects of your life!
Thanks for sharing,
HUGS,
Rita
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