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RainMakers Danced For Rain

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

In a time not long ago, when the crops were dry, and communities were losing their families and neighbors, Rainmakers were the individuals that were looked up to and counted on for saving their people.  These were the folks that in spite of tough and troubling times, were the chosen ones to dance, smile, and pray for RAIN to save their people and their crops from the drought.  Despite their predicament, they chose to have a bright and positive attitude even during one of their most challenging times ever. 

"Rainmaking refers to the act of attempting to artificially induce or increase precipitation, usually to stave off drought.  In the US, rainmaking was attempted by traveling showmen. It was practiced in the old west but may have reached a peak during the dust bowl drought of the American West and Midwest in the 1930s. The practice was depicted in the 1956 film The Rainmaker." Source: Wikipedia

The Real Estate Industry has experienced a similar drought if you will.  Many of our community's crops have dried up and we are experiencing some challenging times all across this great Nation of ours.  People have lost jobs, experienced layoffs and company closures, even lost their homes and finances because of a different kind of drought.  It does no good to point fingers, place blame, or speak negatively about the situation or those who may have affected our farms and fields.  It's the clouds ahead on the horizon that are the focus...

Photo Provided and used with permission by Flickr member Beth: @MusicMuse_CA

We need to count on our "RainMakers" once again.  The folks who come to ActiveRain day in and day out, dancing, smiling, and providing "Rain" to once again save our people and our crops.  This network and community is just one small thread woven through-out the country.  It's the twine that binds and bonds us all together in some small way to collectively achieve great things out of a situation that is so much bigger than us all.  To be witness to all these great things happening around us from an on-line community is very inspiring.

In the three years I have been here, I have witnessed so many stories, so much creativity, lives being changed, and RAIN being made.  We have all been touched or moved by many of the members here in one way or another.  One day we will look back at this time and realize how much of an impact all our efforts have made in our Industry and to each of us personally.  My prediction is that one day, when the RAIN returns, and it will, that we will dance, laugh, and celebrate during the best of times, just as we are doing now during some of the more challenging times.

Is this our destiny?  Maybe this was the intention and purpose of this network all along?  Were we meant to be just another Social Network on the Internet, or an Industry of "RainMakers" making a difference?  Individuals helping to save our people, our communities, our Industry, and each other?  That's what I see happening all across the country right now.

YOU are a RainMaker.  YOU have the power and ability to lead, motivate, inspire, and help other people.  YOU are making a difference in the World, in YOUR Community, and in YOUR Industry.  YOU are the one dancing and creating "RAIN" in a time of drought when it is much needed.  The impact that YOU are making may not be realized until the day comes that we can all look back and see what an important and significant role YOU played in helping keep our people alive and strong, and our Industry together.

~RainMakers Dance For RAIN~

Comments (116)

Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

It is up to all of us to be strong in our industry and keep things going. Like your post a lot better than the NAR stuff that is so Pollyanna. At least you recognize what is going on

Jan 18, 2010 05:16 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Brad: For those who are committed to real estate and are interested in spending a little time on the computer and using technoplogy, AR is a great place. What makes it great is that it is 170k strong! Congrats to you all.

Jan 18, 2010 05:22 AM
Barbie Burke
Respect Realty - Tempe, AZ

Thanks for putting into words what being a Realtor on Activerain is all about.  It was cool to read that you have been on AR for 3 years.  I love reading your blog.  You have inspired me!

Jan 18, 2010 05:55 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Few things have had a more substantive positive impact on our industry than ActiveRain. It has been the virtual schoolroom that has introduced many of us to the paradigm shift of Web 2.0, empowered us to confidently embrace emerging technology, and fostered a wealth of deep, meaningful relationships.

Jan 18, 2010 07:29 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I'm always dancing, and we're starting to get tons of rain!  It's great!  The flowers are blooming and the grass will be greener very soon as well!

Jan 18, 2010 07:34 AM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

What an apt metaphor, Brad. Glad to be one of the Rainmakers (as in one who dances, prays, and seeks to make it rain, not the AR membership status, LOL).

Jan 18, 2010 08:24 AM
Jane Cross
Homes By Cross serving Charlotte NC Real Estate Needs - Charlotte, NC

Brad, I am a bit late to the party. What a wonderful, wonderful write up. I believe with your strong guidance through the trials and tribulations of the Internet, that you are the biggest rainmaker of us all...to go back even farther, 'teach a man to fish'...and that's what you do. Brad, you are always busy teaching us. My sincere thanks.

Jan 18, 2010 09:19 AM
Christine Bohn
RE/MAX Professionals - Gainesville, FL
The Bohn Team, Gainesville FL

Brad: wow, all the comments....I just don't have time to read them all.  But, I hope you know MY OPINION....I am very proud to be a member in ActiveRain.  It's rewarding, it's entertaining, it's one of my great positive business decisions.  I am a Rainmaker.  Just one voice....in now over 170,000 members. I just hope that the AR Gods don't sell out this wonderful network to Google or Yahoo and make a gazillion bucks.:::::: sarcasm ::::::

Jan 18, 2010 10:30 AM
Linda Lohman
Fonville Morisey Realty - Cary, NC
Former Teacher/Broker

Awesome post Brad!  It's folks like you that keep AR strong.

Jan 18, 2010 10:47 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi ActiveBrad~  I can honestly say that I love everything about ActiveRain!  It is the best place on the web! 

Jan 18, 2010 10:57 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Brad: A very inspirational post. As Ceil says, "everyday is a new opportunity" we just have to look for it. If it means dancing, jumping or splashing in the rain we will continue to do so.

Jan 18, 2010 11:06 AM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Brad,

A good one. AR sure is one helluva network for real estate pros. It's informative, supportive, sometimes funny, challenging, Google-juicy, idea-rich and what not.

Jan 18, 2010 12:20 PM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Brad,

You have been a Rainmaker long before Active Rain.  You always brought cheer, positive can do and will do attitude and DID it for us before you found your calling with Active Rain!! A toast to a fabulous New Year that has started!  Mel

Jan 18, 2010 01:26 PM
Tom Hall
Coral Shores Realty, 1119 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-610-4186 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Right on Brad, I hope I can be one of those people that in two years can look back and see a contribution I have made.

Jan 18, 2010 02:42 PM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Brad,

What a wonderful post. I am so happy to be a part of a group that is inspirational,forward thinking,creative and passionate about what they do!

Great things will come to professionals who keep a good attitude and have good work ethics!

 

 

 

Jan 18, 2010 05:19 PM
Dave Roberts
Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty - Healdsburg, CA

You're always inspirational, Brad. It's a marvel that the wise folks at AR were smart enough to hire you to build community here. My feeling is that anyone dancing today is going to be a market dominator when the good times return. Paying your dues on AR today will pay off in more business tomorrow.

Jan 19, 2010 12:46 AM
Steven Nickens
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI
R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

Aloha Brad,

Nice Article, and I would agree that since I been on Activerain my out look on how I do business has completely changed.  Social Media does work, I have a couple clients flying in next month to purchase properties. One thing I do disagree with is the blame part.  I feel we need to kick some ass at the election polls and clean up the mess on both sides. Nice article, always moving forward.

Jan 19, 2010 02:07 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

"Photo Provided and used with permission by Flickr member Beth: @MusicMuse_CA"

Nice attribution of artist and permission to use a great photo, Brad.  musicmuse_ca is very talented, and worthy of a Flickr peek by the AR crowd!

Jan 19, 2010 04:54 AM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Thanks for your uplifting post Brad.  I just finished reading "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan, a novel about the survivors of the Dust Bowl, and what we are going through is not near as tough as what those people went through.

Jan 19, 2010 05:00 AM
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Brad, The dance is working. Thanks for teaching the steps. lol

Steve

Jan 20, 2010 03:54 PM