I have to admit that when I first started here on Active Rain I was not sure if this was "going to be the place for me" I was very new to blogging, in fact I had never blogged about anything before. Somehow getting " me " , my thoughts, out there scared me since it was so "out of the box". I was use to farming an area within my area, sending letters, postcards, flyer's...I would socialize..or not..with other Realtors in my area. Active Rain was a really big place for me...As I looked around and seen veteran members exceeding 100,000 points, some nearly 300,000 and features members on the front page of their state it almost seemed intimidating. It felt like when you first started Real Estate all over again and you sat next to the Top Producer in your office...in awe..wondering "how did they do that".

I quickly found that the "powers at be", those "intimidating" members..that once nearly almost scared me away were so willing to offer their time, opinions, advice and wisdom to the "new kid on the block". They were eager to stretch out their arms and give you a handshake in the rain and make you feel at home. The once seemingly "Godzilla's" who could swallow me hole, didn't consider me their "prey" at all. With arms wide open everyone seemed to welcome new idea's, people and strategies in the rain...even if their opinion differed from mine..or ours..

Along the way I have learned, diligence, patience, and perseverance. I clung to the ones I thought could teach me a thing or two not only about Active Rain, but professionalism, inspiration and life. I clung to the ones who gave life's challenges new meaning, hence a new beginning. Although TLW "roared" a lot,..hahaha and Lenn Harley always seemed to know "what's best" there were people like Jo-Anne Smith..who is like "Mother Hen" to many of us.

I have to say the most and best learning experience came from Neal Bloom when he had enough faith in me to complete an enormous task for him with my two Week In Review post's. I was so honored that he not only trusted me once but twice to take care of "his baby" in the Rain. I learned so much from doing this. I learned that in many ways...we, as professionals..simply agree to disagree on many thoughts and subjects. I learned there are so many "unheard" voices in the Rain that have a lot of valuable information and eager to share it. I learned that one person can make a huge and vast difference in someone's life or career with a few simple words of advice or encouragement.

Although patience is something I have never been really good with. Active Rain has taught me to be just that..patient...Patience seems to come with the territory of nearly 65,000 members, some "mud slingin" , "rumors" and of course controversial post's. The voices in the rain taught me..opinions vary, patience is a virtue and it doesn't matter how we fall down, what matters is how we pick ourselves up !

The strides and achievements I have made in the Rain are sometimes overwhelming. Once the "low man" on the pole... through diligence, everyone's support and "team cheers" I have made it to a featured member within my County. I have met so many wonderful people, made friends..and gained valuable information along the way to not only help grow me as a person but as a professional. I gained clients/customers from Active Rain and have grown my sphere. Although many challenges were faced along the way I am grateful to Active Rain Founders, Mentors and Members for throwing me a "life vest" every now and again along the way.

Active Rain has evolved into a place like no other. It has turned "Newbies" into featured members, it has turned "Veterans" into mentors. It has taken an ordinary person like me and turned them into a voice.

Many times in our lives and our careers we become yet another number or another statistic to so many professional websites or businesses. We are simply #13 when an email is submitted, or #27 when we place our call. As for me, I am proud to be part of a network, a professional site where every face has a name instead of a number. So thanks Active Rain, the friends I have made here, the members I have yet to meet for making this place...a wonderful one !