Reflections on the 'Moments' of 2011

As we approach the end of 2011, and arrive at the holidays I find myself looking back at how fast time flies once again.  This year as a Realtor was probably my busiest of all.  I was not only busy with my own clients and sales, but I also served as the President for the local Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors (BCAAR). 

My duties as President were fun, and offered a chance to make some progressive changes for my board.  During my term as President, I helped establish a social media presence for the association that was not present before.  I established a Facebook business page, which can now be found at: Facebook.com/BCAAR.  I started a BCAAR twitter account, which is @BCAARinfo and I also established out own YouTube Channel which can be found at: BCAARfilms.

I was also actively involved in the local city government representing BCAAR, and helping to re-draft and pass a new rental housing ordinance to replace the one prior that was causing problems with resale of property and upsetting landlords.   I also represented BCAAR at both the State and National conventions.

In my own business I investigated and learned skills to create videos, and established my own YouTube channel: MichaelDelaware1.  I have currently over 100 videos now, and I am creating more every week.  Some are educational, and some are for my listings, some just about the community, and others just for fun.

I had the honor this year of being included in two separate magazine articles for the Council of Residential Specialists magazine 'Residential Specialist'.  I also was interviewed for articles in several State level publications about issues concerning real estate in Michigan as a result of my exposure on my Active Rain blog.

For health reasons, I took upon myself to seriously lose weight this year.  I started dieting in May and have continued throughout the year, adding in an exercise routine as well.  The result was that I lost a total of 65 lbs, and came down several clothing sizes.  Needless to say this has added a whole new dimension to my life, and greatly impacted the way I feel about myself, as well as giving me increased energy.

I continue to remain involved in my community, including being a Big Brother with the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.  I also have volunteered in many fund raising programs for BCAAR to raise funds for charities in the community.

I also expanded my skills to being able to sell life insurance, in addition to real estate.  Having originally completing my life insurance license in 2010, and not doing much with it, I decided to switch companies this year and now represent Farm Bureau Insurance in my area as a Life Insurance agent.  I will probably be doing more on social media promoting myself on this line in the coming year.

So professionally and personally, it has been an interesting and challenging year for me.  I look forward to 2012 and all the expected changes that forthcoming.  One can never know what to expect during an election year, and so it definitely should be interesting.  In June of this past year, while attending a funeral service for a dear brother-in-law, my nephew who was speaking about his father said to the audience that his father taught him that life was a 'series of moments' and the more moments you can create, the happier you will have lived.  To me that is one of the most profound truths I have ever heard uttered by anyone.

Reflecting on all the great moments I had this past year, I consider them all to be treasures.  Even the bad ones make for great stories later.  So with moving forward, and living my life for the moments, I must say that one of the greatest daily moments in my life is the time I spend with the most amazing woman I have ever had to pleasure to be around.  My wife.  Each and every day is a wonderful moment, and I wake up each morning looking forward to the ones we will create that day together. 

I wish all my friends on Active Rain a wonderful series of moments in the coming holidays, and may you all have many, many of those magical ones you will treasure for years to come.