Gratitude 2024 - For the Love of ActiveRain
First and foremost, I want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who participated in this month's challenge. Each and every one of your incredible entries truly touched my heart. Your creativity, authenticity, and willingness to share are nothing short of inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for each of you.
Some of you brought laughter with your lighthearted posts, others shared profound and serious reflections, and a few of you moved me to tears with your raw gratitude. Thank you for opening your hearts and allowing us all to connect through your words this month. November really is the perfect time to express gratitude openly, and this challenge has been such a beautiful reminder of that.
Personally, I have so much to be thankful for—my family (including our beloved fur babies), friends, clients, the beauty of nature, our cozy home, and so much more. As we count down the final hours to wrap up this challenge, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share how grateful I am for my ActiveRain community.
It’s hard to believe that over 14 years ago, I stumbled upon ActiveRain. At the time, I had no idea how much this platform would change my life. Truth be told, I started with more hesitation than you can imagine—it took me six months just to leave my first comment!
Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of chatter about how ActiveRain has changed. But here’s the truth: any experience in life is what you make of it. When you find something good, you nurture it, invest in it, and make it even better.
So today, I’m filled with gratitude for the friendships, lessons and opportunities this community has given me. Thank you to my ActiveRain family for being such an important part of my journey, both in real estate and personally. Here's to many more challenges, connections and moments of gratitude together. 💛
*Above with dear friend, Lisa Von Domek
17+ Years in the Rain: Reflecting on an Incredible Journey
As I celebrate my 17+ year anniversary with ActiveRain—November 20, 2007, to be exact—I can’t help but reflect on this incredible journey. Over the years, so much has changed. The platform has evolved, people have come and gone, and many of the original members have shifted focus to social media, personal websites, or growing businesses. Some have taken sabbaticals, while others have remained steadfast, showing up here day after day, year after year.
And then there’s the next generation—new members who’ve jumped into ActiveRain with energy and enthusiasm, embracing blogging and community connections with gusto. It’s been amazing to witness how welcoming, supportive, and caring this community continues to be. We are truly blessed to share this space and the incredible people within it.
If you’re new here—just starting your ActiveRain journey—my advice is simple: jump in! I know that’s easier said than done. Trust me, I started very cautiously myself. Writing my first comment was a daunting task, and my first post? Even more intimidating.
When I joined, ActiveRain was my first experience with online communication. Social media like Facebook didn’t exist yet, so blogging felt completely foreign and uncomfortable. For six months, I quietly observed the original members—posting daily with ease and confidence—while I battled my own hesitation. Why did it seem so natural for them, yet so overwhelming for me?
Eventually, I mustered the courage to write that first post. And you know what? The anxiety disappeared almost immediately. People commented on my post—granted, not many—but they did! I didn’t know them at all, and yet they found something worth engaging with in my local real estate updates.
Looking back, it was that initial step out of my comfort zone that changed everything.
ActiveRain has been a constant source of growth, connection, and inspiration ever since. So, to those just starting: don’t overthink it. Write, share, and engage. You’ll find that this is a community ready to support you, just as it’s supported me for the past 17+ years.
Here’s to the journey—past, present, and future. Cheers to all of you who make ActiveRain the incredible place it is! 🎉
*Above - with Bob Stewart in New Orleans for RainCamp/NAR/CRS meet-up
Finding the Perfect Balance: Business and Personal in the Rain
When I first started blogging on ActiveRain, I stuck strictly to local posts. My mindset at the time? Keep it all business. I thought that showing any personal side of myself might somehow be “bad for business.” Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at how wrong I was!
Time and time again, clients who found me through ActiveRain told me, “I feel like I already know you.” That simple feedback was a game-changer. It taught me that letting some of “me” shine through wasn’t just okay—it was exactly what people wanted. It made me more approachable and relatable. That’s when I realized that leaving the personal out of my blogging was never the right plan in the first place.
I owe so much to the original members of ActiveRain—and to those who joined after me—for teaching me invaluable lessons and creating a community that’s endlessly supportive. From blogging fundamentals like how to craft market reports and use keywords effectively to becoming a local expert and trusted resource, I’ve learned so much here.
In the early days, my ActiveRain family didn’t just stop at blogging advice. Together, we navigated the ever-evolving world of social media. It was here that I learned how to create Facebook and Twitter profiles, build a Facebook business page, and explore platforms like LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Everything I needed to grow my online presence and expand my business started right here in the Rain.
But ActiveRainhas always been more than a place to grow professionally—it’s a family. We’ve shared knowledge about website building, business development, and marketing strategies. And when life throws curveballs, this community steps up. When a member or their loved ones fall ill, ActiveRain shows up with support, encouragement and prayers.
This was never more evident than when my husband was critically ill (a couple of very scary times) and spent time in intensive care. During those incredibly difficult times, countless members reached out to me every single day. Their kindness and support were a lifeline for me and I will never forget it.
ActiveRain isn’t just a platform; it’s a family. A place to grow, share, and connect in ways that go far beyond business. For that, I will be forever grateful. ❤️
*Above Elizabeth Cooper-Golden, conferencing together in 2013!
Oh, the lifelong friends who have become family—who would have thought?! Over the years, ActiveRain has brought so much more than I ever imagined. I’ve sent and received countless referrals, connected with two incredible lenders, discovered an amazing local stager, and gained wonderful direct clients—all thanks to blogging here in the Rain! 🌟
*Atlanta meet-up, 2017, hosted by Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
*Dear friend and client who moved from the Dallas area to Arkansas and then to Charlotte to Boston (and now moving to Boston!) - Steve Shatsky
I know many of you have heard this story before, but as I reflect during this season of gratitude, I can’t help but share it again. One of my most emotional and unforgettable memories is from the time Ray was hospitalized in Denver for several months. During that period, I flew out every 10 days, stayed for 2-3 days, then returned home to work and care for our fur babies—repeating this exhausting cycle over and over.
Every time I arrived in Denver, Will Hamm insisted on picking me up from the airport and driving me to the hospital. Without fail, he also made sure I got back to the airport when it was time to leave.
During the 7-8 days I spent back in Charlotte, Will would visit Ray in the hospital. He knew how difficult and isolating it can be to be so far from home, and his kindness brought comfort to both of us during such a challenging time.
I will always owe Will an enormous debt of gratitude for his selfless and compassionate acts. His generosity reminded me of the power of community and friendship, and I am forever thankful for him. ❤️
*CRS Sellabration & ActiveRain meet-up, Dallas, 2018
*Above: Boston NAR Conference & ActiveRain meet-up, 2018
*More photos from Boston NAR Meeting/AR Meet-Up above
*CRS Sellabration, Vegas, 2024 AJ Heidmann ~ CRS, Christel Silver & Joanne Fraser
*Atlanta friends travel to Charlotte for a meet-up, 2013 - Love my Thom Abbott (& Ray) and a fantastic lender, Brian Dover.
*Vegas favorites, Brian England, Rocky Dickerson, Carol Williams & Jim Paulson, 2024
I teamed up with fellow members to launch Charlotte's very first ReBar Camp, and we kept the momentum going by organizing several more ReBar Camp events in the following years. We even extended our support to help other ReBar Camps across the South, including our friends in Raleigh, NC. It was an incredible collaboration and a testament to the power of community! ❤️
*Rebar 2010 in Raleigh (Patricia Kennedy )
I've attended conferences from coast-to-coast and had the honor of meeting some of the most fabulous people on the planet through ActiveRain.
*Orlando RainCamp, 2010 with Elizabeth Cooper-Golden & Kerrie La Guardia (I MISS YOU GIRLS TERRIBLY!). And boy, don't we wish we were still having the RainCamps?!
I've even hosted ActiveRain 'family' meet-ups in my own home (below) and visited others homes across the nation as well. This one was held only 3 weeks after we finished building our new home in 2014! (Talk about love of family! ) Then we spent a couple of days in Charlotte's Uptown and at my office, doing our own 'classes' together.
*Rest in Peace, Missy Caulk.
Oh and we have even vacationed with ActiveRain members! You get the point now, right? We're just one, big family here!
In 2021, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting the wonderful Carol Williams in our home. If you’ve ever met someone in person after connecting here in ActiveRain, you know it feels just like meeting family—and meeting Carol was no exception! We had a fantastic time catching up, sharing stories and celebrating the newfound freedom to travel after so much of the country had been locked down during the pandemic. It was truly a special experience and Ray and I wished we had gotten to spend more time with Carol! ❤️
*2021 visit with Carol Williams who traveled cross-country and was hosted by many ActiveRain members - who also had never met her in person - and all of us absolutely fell in love with her!
Everything you need to learn about your real estate business is right here on ActiveRain! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask in the Q&A section—it’s one of my favorite daily stops. If you still haven’t found your answer, join us on our ZOOM call next Tuesday where Liz and Bill Spear (Bill) will be sharing answers to questions we all have had at one time or another about this venue.
The absolute best part about AR, though, has always been the friendships. The incredible relationships we build here are truly priceless. Of course, the business growth and education are fantastic, but the ActiveRain family? That’s what makes this place so special.
Who would’ve guessed that what once felt like a “scary” social blogging platform could offer it all—learning, business opportunities and lifelong friendships?
If you’re new here, don’t be shy—jump right in! I promise, we don’t bite (well, most of us don’t 😉). Block out some time on your calendar each day to spend here. Our weekly ZOOM calls are also another way to not only learn something new but, meet some fantastic referral partners from AR. Both our ActiveRain venue and our weekly ZOOM calls are wonderful places to connect with amazing people, gain valuable knowledge and grow your business. Hang your hat, stay awhile and make yourself at home—you’ll be so glad you did! ❤️
*Above, with Christine Donovan - Charlotte RainCamp, 2011 - and no, we didn't plan the color dress code!
*Above, with Sham Reddy just last month when he visited Charlotte. I'm so thankful for getting to know so many agents better via our weekly ZOOM calls - Sham being one of them!
*Above - with Nick & Annie Vandekar, 2024 - We could have spent all day visiting together yesterday - what a positively wonderful couple! ❤️ Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
And always remember, any experience in life is what you make of it! I am endlessly grateful for my ActiveRain family—you're all truly the best! 💛
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