6 Months away from Active Rain - A Decision to Remain Active  

I started on AR back in March.  I like to compare this to sticking my toe in the pool to check out the temperature.  Was all the hype I had been hearing about Active Rain true?  I spent a few weeks browsing the blogs and checking out many of the groups.  And then I stopped visiting Active Rain all together.  It wasn't intentional....Just other things captured my attention and I stopped visiting the site. 

After spending 6 months away, I made the decision to come back and for good reason.  What I have realized in my time away is that all the great ideas in the world are out there.  However, it just simply is not possible for me to think of them by myself.  I can go through successes and failures all alone, but spending quality time reading what you each have done or been through has been a lesson all of its' own. 

What benefit has Active Rain brought me?   Well, unfortunately my AR participation has not given me any referrals.  However, I have sent out a couple of referrals.  I can't really blame Active Rainers, as I did drop off completely for 6 months.  However, I have been rejuvenated and have a desire to blog with my peers and share my own experiences in hopes that they help others along the way, as I have been helped in reading your posts.  The more I learn from AR, the more sites I link to and the more ideas I try with my own business.  In months past, it was because of reading fellow Rainer posts that I linked up with Trulia and RealBird.  As recently as yesterday, I learned about Twitter and www.openhomes247.com.  Each time I log in, I am inspired and see the passion that so many of us have for Real Estate.   

I know in the beginning, my original goal was to just rack up points.  I reached number two in my city, even though the points were not that high, and just convinced myself I had achieved something great on Active Rain.  That's about the time I stopped logging in.  In retrospect, I should have realized that the real way you gain points is to share something about yourself and your experiences.  For that, you are rewarded by Active Rain.  If I'm not number one in my city/county/state - well, okay.  However, the goal is to keep the points accruing because that means I'm invested and am an active participant in our community.     

Thanks for reading my post.  I look forward to more time invested.