"How many times have we run across someone that has really touched us in some way, or someone that has really made our life a little better by their attitude, but we never really tell them how much they mean to us."
That is what started this The Gifts of Appreciation Contest ....the thought of a Public thank you, and Appreciation for the gifts received from others. We give because we want to, not to get something in return. That is what started this Contest.....and these 2 guys are the original Gifts:
Gift #1 marti garaughty who runs the Art of Marketing You Group . If you haven't been to this group....then you are really missing something. And if you haven't seen marti's Abstract Art, again you are missing out. Every week marti does a Group Week in Review, and for the past 2 weeks he has been telling everyone how to use the new Blog Customizer Brad made. This week marti also made several headers that you can use.....they're already sized right and everything :) :)
Gift# 2 Neal Bloom runs the Week in Review Group. Every week for over a year Neal either finds a volunteer to go through the hundreds, sometimes thousands of Posts that have been Posted during the Week. If no one volunteers then Neal does it himself. Besides this Neal started Groups for top Point getters (and just this past week he now has a group of 1.....for the all time top Blogger on Active Rain.....Lenn Harley :)
I am sorry that Neal, marti, and Lenn weren't part of the contest.....they were the inspiration though, and that says a lot in and of itself :)
The Contest Winning Gifts Announcement
Everyone entered the contest and if they won...they did't get diddly. They just got those warm and fuzzy feelings people talk about.....:) You heard that right.....no contestant got anything except the true gift of showing Appreciation. Only the people that they wrote about, and if their Post was chosen, would the person being written about win the prize- the points!!!
Giving without expectation of reward..........That was the Contest
"To all of the writers with entries: This was such a wonderful contribution for this community. We always talk about ‘giving back' and acknowledging others and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. This was the first contest where the ‘gift of appreciation' would honor the ones you wrote about ,who you appreciated....and award the prize to them! I loved the theme and thank you all for showing your true spirit with participating. Everyone was a winner here." ...............Sally Cheeseman
Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions.
You may have a heart of gold but so does a hard-boiled egg.
-- Unknown.
I loved this unknown quote.....so please join me in recognizing the following people that wrote their Gift of Appreciation, and also the person(s) that they wrote about, as both are the gifts that we are receiving. And as you can see by Broker Bryant's Quote, " OK, now I remember why I don't judge contests.....its soooooo hard!!!!," that it was no easy job to pick just a few.
So please give Broker Bryant and Sally Cheeseman some kudos also....they anguished over their decisions. And although this contest is over.....the gifts of appreciation to each other should never end, show it, write it, whatever it takes to let others know that their contribution is an important one.
Contest Recipients (Winners):
compliments of Debbie Brooks' and her entry Gifts...I will share my chocolate with you!
compliments of Lola Audus' entry Sometimes the Wind Kisses a Wisp of Dandelion...
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Third Place Gifts go to: (yes there was a tie) Gary Bolen...... compliments of William Johnsons' entry : My Gifts of Appreciation Goes To a Wise, Wonderful and Giving Member of ActiveRain
and Debbie Brooks .........compliments of Melissa Grants' entry Gifts of Appreciation.....Deb Brooks, The Spirit that just keeps on giving !
And each Judge was allowed to pick 1 entry for an Honorable Mention....so here are the 3 Honorable Mentions in no order:
- HM Gift to: Margaret Wooda from Fran Gasapari's entry Extra Mile...Active Rain Style...Gifts Of Appreciation!!!
- HM Gift to: Carole Culkin from Gary Woltals's entry A Realtor's Realtor Carol Culkin ~ Gifts of Appreciation
- HM Gift to: Jessica Horton from Lane Bailey's entry 2.. 4.. 6.. 8.. Who do I appreciate? Gifts of Appreciation
Thank you again to everyone that entered.......we all enjoyed reading about the kindness and Professionalism of our friends and colleagues...
And a very special Thank You to both Broker Bryant and Sally Cheeseman.....we all appreciate both of you very much :) Your personalities and caring about Active Rain are why I asked you both to help Judge.....and also because the 3 of us have totally different personalities, yet the bond that unites us is our caring about Active Rain :)
*** I am throwing in a special thanks to Duane Marlink, and Liz Moras, for your support above and beyond entering or judging :)
***you can read all the Contest Entries HERE ***
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty
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