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Following Your Passion...Engaging A Personal Active Rain Full Circle Moment.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

Never, ever underestimate the power of a blog post OR anytime you click with that mouse.  Never undermine the impact of what you're doing when you get online.  Through the last 5 years, I've developed renewed respect for the potential power of this world behind my computer screen. 

Today, I met a dear friend.  Rocky Turner and Jeff Turner came to Grand Rapids, MI for the Social Media for Social Good Summit. The first one our Association has held on this topic.  And it all started right here, on Active Rain in 2007!  I met Rocky for the first time through her blog. A friendship developed. We have shared many things over the years, but had never met in real life...until today.

Today, members of the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS saw a first hand demonstration of how powerful Influence and the connections it brings can be.  Rocky Turner shared the story of how a 2 word search on Google...'Volunteer Africa' changed her life.  Two words which would take her across the world and into the lives of children in St. Monica's Children's Orphange.  A journey which would expand her family circle in ways she could never imagine.  Today, Rocky's Charity Mother's Fighting For Others cares for the needs of 40+ young ladies who don't have the support of a nuclear family.

Reading Rocky's blog posts about the volunteer work being done in Kenya moved me.  I had to get involved. It started with reading a blog post and then I began writing blogs to support the work.  It continues with serving on the Board of Mother's Fighting For Others and multiplies with the joy of meeting many beautiful people who care about things which touch me deeply.

Eventually the line cast by that click of a mouse would wrap itself around the world linking the Turners with real estate brokers in North Carolina, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey and all sorts of interested souls across just about every state in this country who shared passion to positively impace a vulnerable childs' world forever.  Even when that child is a continent away - Love is never constrained by the boundaries of time and distance.

Jeff Turner challenged us with some questions today.  I'm passing them on to you. Are you connecting to your passion?  Are you showing up online as the whole of who you are, not just little bits and pieces?  I was challenged today to explore the boundaries of possibility.  The rewards can be priceless!

*Picture of Rocky Turner with Mom Comfort & the author of this blog.

Rocky & Jeff Turner visit Grand Rapids, MI

Comments(18)

Ken and Leslye Huebsch
3x Individual Agent of the Year, Luxury Homes, First-Time Buyers, Residential Resales, New Construction - Harrisburg, PA
Realtors - Harrisburg Homes for Sale 717.514.1793

I think we need to get some experience under our belts in AR to show the whole of who we are. I have discovered this is quite a learning process; but am finding so many out there dedicated to helping us with the journey. Glad to be here!

Jun 22, 2011 01:29 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

First I love you new photo Lola.  And you're so right about being able to follow your passion and use this platform to further a cause.  I've been doing that for a while.

Jun 22, 2011 01:35 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Ken & Leslye, It is a huge learning process.  I'm finding that in many ways, what we do online is not that far removed from how life is lived, but the tools we utilize are. It's far more interesting to relate with an individual authentically.  I think this may be one of the reasons why Twitter is becoming so popular with celebrities...they can reach past 'their handlers' and talk to their fans direct.

Jun 22, 2011 01:51 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Tammy, great to see you here.  Thanks for stopping by to comment and read.

Jun 22, 2011 01:52 PM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

I think this is so important.  It's good too for business as people like to work with people they connect with.  Customers who have read my blog know a little bit more about me & that makes them comfortable working with me.  Excellent post!

Jun 22, 2011 02:22 PM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

How great to finally meet someone you have know "online"!  It is hard to show our transparency on line sometimes...but if we want to bridge the gap called trust...we must.

Jun 22, 2011 02:26 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Lola, What a heart warming story of finally meeting another Active Rain member whom you connected with years ago blogging in the rain. You two truly bonded with a common cause for support of "Mothers Fighting for Others". I had to suggest this wonderful true story.

Jun 22, 2011 04:11 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Lola, one never knows where the click of that mouse will take you! It is amazing, isn't it? We are only limited by our fears...

 

Jun 22, 2011 11:44 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Sorry I missed it, two listing appointments came up. I know it was a wonderful event. You are an awesome President of Grand Rapids Association.

 

Jun 23, 2011 01:28 AM
Dave Melvin
Keller Williams GR North - Grand Rapids, MI

Lola, great post! What Rocky had to say was, to say the least, very touching. And maybe hit home with you more than anyone else given your history with her. However, I'm sure it touched everyone as it did with me. Between the messages of Rocky and Jeff, it gave me more reason to look inside myself with what I'm doing online as well as how I do it. I truly learned a lot. It's given me more reason to think about what I do and will do outside of the cyber world too. Keep up your own inspirational leadership in GRAR, you are indeed very good at what you do!

Jun 23, 2011 02:01 AM
Margie Kopp Sorrell
Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

Incredibly powerful story. I seach daily for new passions. We should all be compelled to want to help. We just need to get past the "well I'm just one person" attitude. Love this story!

Jun 23, 2011 02:44 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Cindy, it was great.  What was even more interesting was that the 'knowing' did not depend on the seeing.  The knowing of someone is about connecting on a variety of levels...spiritually, emotionally, mentally, within conversation...and yes, in person is wonderful too. :)

Jun 23, 2011 04:30 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Thanks for 'Suggesting" Jerry.  Appreciate your stopping by.

Thank you for your comment Christine.

Jun 23, 2011 04:31 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Missy, we missed you!  I know you would have loved to be there.  But, I totally understand two listing appointments.  Blessings for continued good success throughout the remainder of the year.

Jun 23, 2011 04:32 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Dave...your comment says it all.  "I truly learned a lot. It's given me more reason to think about what I do and will do outside of the cyber world too."  Thanks for your contributions to the Leadership Team at GRAR this year!

Jun 23, 2011 04:34 AM
Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate

Oh Lola... I have goose bumps reading this.  I also saw the photo that Jeff T posted on facebook when you and Rocky first met.  Hugs!

Jun 23, 2011 10:39 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

No bits and pieces here.... You all are such wonderful giving souls and love you all!

Jun 27, 2011 05:53 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Lola, whether connected by the click of a mouse, or another form of connection, I agree passion is where it is at.

Jul 08, 2011 09:24 AM