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I Wonder About Legacy. . .

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

 

I Wonder About Legacy

My July 2024 AR Challenge Entry

 

I have some ambivalence with the word legacy.  Putting that aside for this post, I think sending/receiving a letter can be impactful. 

 

Admittedly, I no longer participate in letter-writing.  Indecipherable penmanship has become apparent. Perhaps, a handwriting-on-the-wall kind of analysis might reveal more. I digress in a hieroglyphic maze sort of way.

 

With a twist to this month’s ActiveRain challenge, I choose to address members of this community. And anyone who may someday read it. Young as well as those who may not be as youthful. Each of us come to this site at different stages. Opportunities to learn or gain perspective is never-ending in life.

 

It doesn't matter if you've newly joined, caught in some state of AWOLness or participating in a way that fits you best for the moment, improving life around us is good.   Belonging to and making any place better includes each of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Member:

 

I hope you find your ActiveRain membership beneficial. However, you use it. I have been a part of this community since 2010. My participation has evolved. Likely similar to activities in your life, things happen for many sorts of reasons. While I don't feel I have any particular sage words of wisdom to share, there may be some takeaways gathered from the past along with some updated thoughts that resonate with you.

 

In 2015, I wrote a post Everything I Learned About Real Estate I Learned in Kindergarten. Many of those lessons are applicable to AR. Among the points made then were playing fair, cleaning up your own mess and other basics learned in our earliest years. It's interesting what we choose to bring forth as well as what is left behind as we (and time) move forward.

 

 

Recognizing gaps (and gaffes) in our own journeys underscore that the simplicity of many complications plays a part of life.

 

 

In 2018, I shared People Are Kind. The quote attributed to the Dalai Lama, "Be kind whenever possible. It's always possible" was the theme of the post and it's a message that continues to matter. Obviously, it's an ongoing area of self-improvement. It isn't easy, but necessary. And important.

 

 

In 2022, Maybe You Shouldn't Be An ActiveRain Member was published. While this site may not arguably be as vital as in the past, there is still much to be found. Yes, you may need to look deeper. Embrace some things, avoid as well as ignore others. But there remains much to experience. And balance continues to matter.

 

I believe repetitiveness has a place as it builds, reinforces and combines with other aspects of being a member. Of ActiveRainLand and everyday life.

 

 

Good luck,

Michael Jacobs

 

 

 

 

 

The images in this post are from canstockphoto.com.

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You've written a great entry into this month's AR Challenge, Michael.  And, as Joan Cox wrote in her comment, "We ALL need to be more kind."

Jul 15, 2024 04:54 PM
Michael Jacobs

Myrl Jeffcoat - thank you.  Kindness matters.  Always.  

Jul 15, 2024 06:06 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Michael, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Clubgroup!  

Jul 15, 2024 04:54 PM
Michael Jacobs

Myrl Jeffcoat - thank you for the feature in the OFC group.

Jul 15, 2024 06:19 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Repetiveness is a key Michael. It is what makes a beginner into a "craftsman". Thank you for pointing that out. Jeff

Jul 15, 2024 05:16 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI - I think your choice of craftsman as a description of the process is spot on.  

Jul 15, 2024 06:22 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

That's the beauty of this place.  We can choose many different ways to use (or not) this community.  Maybe we leave no legacy or footprint, or maybe a huge gift to the community.  Over the years I've given way more time to this place than I can rationally justify, but since when is love of something totally rational, even for an engineer?  So while not as visible as I used to be, I still spend time daily in ActiveRainLand doing the things that make sense for me to do.  Some day I'll put down the keyboard and continue down a different path, or have my ashes scattered on a mountaintop, whichever comes first, and hope that what I've done here has been helpful, as others have helped me over the decades in this place.

Jul 15, 2024 08:44 PM
Michael Jacobs

Bill Liz and Bill Spear - finding a path on ActiveRain or anywhere else can be a challenge.  It works well for some and not so well for others.  And that can easily happen to each of us depending on circumstances and situations.  

Jul 16, 2024 03:12 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Hi Michael, I remember those posts that you mentioned. After so many years I still join Active Rain website every day and find something more interesting to read than going to a news site. 

Jul 16, 2024 07:20 AM
Michael Jacobs

Steffy Hristova - members participate in ways that fit them best.  Thank you for reading and the comment.  

Jul 16, 2024 07:37 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dear Michael Jacobs 

What an excellent entry to this contest! You have inspired me, and I admire your ponderings over many years. Your writings have quietly shared and taught us so much!

I look forward to many more years of your positivity and wisdom,  always with great appreciation.

Jul 16, 2024 10:33 AM
Michael Jacobs

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - I appreciate your kindness.  

Jul 16, 2024 12:44 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Another great post with an interesting perspective!  Your gift of writng really shines in this one.   Legacy is something I've been pondering lately, thanks to a link on FB.  In the past, I've lost a few real estate friends and still see their pages.  Makes me think I should leave that to my youngest daughter to manage (on my sites).  Posting a legacy comment that I'm no longer with the living might be wise.  We are remembered when our pages surface.   This does include AR for sure, so definitely a legacy post.  

Jul 16, 2024 11:31 AM
Michael Jacobs

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ - your comment adds much to the conversation about the lasting impact of legacy. 

Jul 16, 2024 12:46 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Thank you Michael! 

Jul 16, 2024 02:37 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Your posts make folks stop and think... that benefits anyone around you Michael Jacobs. Thank you for all your contributions over the years and here's (clink clink) to many more. 

Jul 17, 2024 02:12 AM
Michael Jacobs

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 - thank you for those nice words.  I appreciate it.  

Jul 17, 2024 05:24 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Michael, for this special post. 

I hope all is going well for you this week.

We have another hot day in Maryland and expect thunderstorms this afternoon.

Jul 17, 2024 06:35 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - rising temperatures this season have certainly had an impact in many areas of our country.   

Keep your cool as much as you can which I believe is good advice in any season.  This is also a continuing challenge for me.  Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate the comment. 

Jul 17, 2024 07:28 AM
Roy Kelley

I made a morning trip to the library but we will limit our outdoor activies today.

Jul 17, 2024 07:56 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I always look forward to your challenge posts and your special spin on most of them. Well done and great choice to write to fellow AR members!

Jul 17, 2024 01:18 PM
Michael Jacobs

Sharon Tara - thank you.  

Jul 17, 2024 04:56 PM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

You nailed it Michael Jacobs 😎  Our Active Rain community lives on because of the participating members along the journey.  Lots of crossroads to choose as we grow in skillset, age and ability to inspire others. 

You are so very kind each and every day to check the Newbie site and welcome our members.  Contributions can be small or large.  To me it is not about legacy as much to leaving the world a better place than when I arrived.

Jul 18, 2024 09:48 AM
Michael Jacobs

Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 - ActiveRain has a diverse membership.  New, seasoned veterans of the site as well as lots who fall in between those groups. 

Thank you for noticing that I, like you and other members, seek out those writing their initial posts.  I remember those early days when receiving a single comment was a rarity.  Yes, times have changed and so has the membership.  Kindness never goes out of style.  

Jul 18, 2024 10:07 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Love this thoughtful and creative post, Michael. No doubt all come to AR with different backgrounds, life experiences, and expectations of what will result from their participation, however that happens. That's the beauty of the ActiveRain community, for new members as well as those who are long-timers.

Jeff

Jul 18, 2024 07:44 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jeff Dowler, CRS - like any community, the AR population is diverse.  Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.  

Jul 19, 2024 03:00 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Your post is spot-on and the comments as well, Michael! Life happens, things change, priorities change and we all expect that - especially those of us who have seen, literally tens of thousands of members come an go. 

You nailed this line in your post, "Recognizing gaps (and gaffes) in our own journeys underscore that the simplicity of many complications plays a part of life."  As in your own ActiveRain life, those gaps happen but, coming back at your own level/speed/time is all we can do, right? 


As to Liz and Bill Spear's thoughts, I agree wholeheartedly.  Only a handful of folks know the 'behind-the-scenes' work that goes on...and FREE OF CHARGE, I might add! To read nasty comments and hear about phone calls that have been made by members, discussing others who don't participate the way one particular member EXPECTS us to participate, is incredibly disheartening. Shaming members publicly (either on their own posts or others' posts or comments) has lost members, not only business (referrals) but, respect.

The few folks who do keep this site going also sell real estate and spend countless hours volunteering for this platform and its members to keep it running. Unkind, unappreciative members don't really make those volunteers want to put in the hours that they do.

Speaking to the background 'rumblings' of AR and to life itself, this quote could not be more appropriate, 

"Be kind whenever possible. It's always possible"


Thank you so much for sharing this in our challenge this month. GREAT entry that ALL MEMBERS need to read!!

Jul 18, 2024 09:13 PM
Michael Jacobs

Debe Maxwell, CRS - thank you for your very thoughtful comment.  As I replied to another, I wrote this post earlier in the month.  I put it aside thinking (more than once) that it might remain in draft status and never be published. 

Last week, I returned to my drafts and made some changes.  I wasn't certain how the post would be received.   I am aware that I am fortunate that the lights remain on this site given the circumstances.  Beyond allowing me to test/hone my patience,

I continue to learn much here each and every day.  Even though my regimen, like many, has changed as has my daily life, I write posts on occasion even though they are not as public facing as market reports, community spotlights and related real estate updates like I used to.  Can't I do that beyond the boundaries of this site.  Wouldn't be possible for anyone to do that?  Hmm  - yes, I wonder. . . 

Jul 19, 2024 03:20 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

You bet! And, like you, I've revised my communication to my sphere with their own, tailored market reports. It doesn't have to be done here.

As for AR, I'd rather spend time here on relationships anyway. Time is one thing we simply never have enough of so, focusing on keeping kindness in my heart (and keyboard!) for those who are like-minded is where I, like others, have decided to focus. 

Keep those posts coming, Michael - we all love and adore you (and your posts)!

Jul 19, 2024 08:23 PM
Michael Jacobs

Debe Maxwell, CRS - thank you.  I am not naive enough to believe "all" of anything is true especially when it comes to adulation.  Happy Saturday. 

Jul 20, 2024 09:55 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Michael Jacobs - Reading stories about your introspection and observations over the years has always made be proud to read them. You have definitely been a positive force since the very beginning of your adventures on ActiveRain. And hasn't it been interesting and fun! 

I was very happy to see your "People Are Kind" entry in 2018 with myself being mentioned. That was very kind of you! I do like how we inspire one another. 

Your entry for this July 2024 Challenge was very inspiring and took a lot of research too! I enjoyed it very much. 

Jul 19, 2024 05:33 AM
Michael Jacobs

Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP - you're right that posts/coments from other members as well as outside events can inspire us.   And it can happen in ways that may have been unimaginable at the beginning of our time on this site.  

Jul 19, 2024 05:40 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Michael. I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Have an outstanding week.

Jul 21, 2024 07:04 AM
Roy Kelley

We have a sunny day in Maryland. Chef Dolores sent me out this morning to do some grocery shopping. I was fortunate to find everything on her list.

Jul 21, 2024 07:38 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - and you as well.  Happy Sunday.  

Jul 21, 2024 07:32 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

Started here in 2009 and finally wrote a post after much nervy thought. Wasn't sure how it would be received but pushed through anyway. Glad to have done that and created my own individual voice here, Michael. As you have.

Congrats on the feature!

Jul 21, 2024 10:42 AM
Michael Jacobs

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! - thank you.  

Jul 21, 2024 02:06 PM
Debbie Laity
CinaJones Real Estate - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County

There are some parts of your letter than really hit home with me at this point in my life. I won't go into any details. It's a bit personal. 

I love the photos you used for the post. 

Happy Thursday!!!

Jul 25, 2024 02:27 PM
Michael Jacobs

Debbie Laity - I understand and can appreciate that - not everything needs to be shared.  Especially on a social media forum.  As for the images in the post - they are from canstockphoto.com.  

Jul 25, 2024 04:56 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Michael. What an impressive entry for the legacy contest. I have followed and read many of your posts over the years. Yes, the Rain may not be as exciting as it was in 2011 when I first joined, but it still has some amazing members who keep this site going strong. I am proud to say that you are one of them. Thanks for all you do to make this site at wonderful place to share with others.

Jul 28, 2024 07:25 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jerry Newman - I don't know if I thought far enough into the future to wonder about the path of AR as I joined in 2010.  Thank you for adding that perspective.  I appreciate your view.  

Jul 29, 2024 04:41 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
ERNAL REAL ESTATE GROUP with Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Michael I too have seen How Active Rain has evolved since being back here sometime this month. Have been gone for many years. Now I have to read some of the posts that you shared here.

Aug 14, 2024 11:19 PM
Michael Jacobs

Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan - AR, then versus now, could be interesting to read.   Your perspective on the site as seen with an interruption of time might would likely be a unique "insight".   

Aug 15, 2024 02:11 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Legacies is one of those magical things that doesn’t really unfold until after the fact, but man when it’s right, it’s right.

Jan 10, 2025 10:44 PM
Michael Jacobs

Laura Cerrano - I appreciate the comment.  Thank you.

Jan 11, 2025 02:15 AM