Very well said - I concur ... but,

I have been only working in this business for 10 years or so - which I used to think was a long time!  We started doing secured transaction work and court searches and have spread into title searching.  Compared to most folks on this forum I feel like a babe in the woods, yet I feel just as bitter and just as angry when clients won't pay.

We don't make sandwiches and we don't sell cars - if we did, payment would rarely be a problem.  We chose to do this and embrace all the freedoms and endure all the pitfalls.

My point is that I don't want to become bitter and jaded.  Almost all of our clients pay regularly and consistently, but the few that don't pay seem to get all the attention.

I think that the key is to remain professional and kind, even when dealing with deadbeats.  I continue to give everyone the benefit of the doubt but I do exercize more caution than I used to and everyone seems to understand.

So, yes - grow up, but don't get bitter.  Grow up to be a mature professional.  I have to remind myself every day - but thats just me ;-)