February 2026 - AR Member Appreciation Month
Just as we cannot see our own faces without looking in a mirror, we cannot truly understand how others perceive us unless we receive appreciation. Debe Maxwell, CRS, your actions and the energy you bring to our space on ActiveRain generate good karma and positivity that ripple outward, touching others in ways you may not always realize. This is why I am taking this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and to proclaim – THANK YOU! This is a tribute to you for your inspiring leadership. It is and entry for the February Challenge.
From the instant we met in person when you flew to Dallas for the CRS Conference, I sensed an aura of peace and understanding surrounding you. Your genuine smile and the way you treat everyone are truly infectious. Whether or not an angel resides within you is irrelevant; what matters is the unmistakable air of kindness and goodness you exude, which goes far beyond simple politeness.
Being part of ActiveRain has been a privilege, and your positive influence has been a significant reason for my gratitude. I had always suspected you were attuned to the inner workings of ActiveRain, but it was only after reading Alan May's formal appreciation and gratitude blog post about you that I realized the full extent of your impact. Balancing so many responsibilities is no easy task, but your father's military background's influence on you, your Team Spirit from playing sports as a young teenager, and your personal business skills makes it appear effortless to those on the outside. Reading Alan’s words was a moment of clarity - it revealed just how dedicated you are to improving ActiveRain, not for personal gain, but for the collective benefit of the entire organization. For you, it’s not about topping the leaderboard; it’s about valuing people above all else.
Thank you for providing the framework that supports ActiveRain, and for your tireless work behind the scenes to help each of us develop both professionally and personally. Creating Zoom meetings during the worst years of Covid helped lift many in their darkest days. Your core values are contagious and set you apart, spreading positivity both in person and throughout the ActiveRain community. There is something truly special about your presence, which leads me to believe that angels do indeed walk among us.
One of the qualities I most admire in you is your ability to facilitate communication and the sharing of best practices. You champion positivity and foster an environment where kindness prevails over criticism or rudeness. You exemplify the belief that no one has the right to judge others; instead, we are here to help one another, not to cause harm.
Your approach reminds me of a lesson I learned as a freshman in high school, while reading “Black Like Me” by John Howard Griffin. The book taught me that regardless of our backgrounds—whether black or white, wealthy or poor, able-bodied or disabled—we can never fully understand someone else’s experience unless we metaphorically walk in their shoes. True empathy arises from seeing the world through another’s eyes, and this understanding is at the heart of your leadership.
Our core values are the bedrock upon which positive results are built. They are the embedded behaviors that drive high performance and foster a sense of belonging and growth within our community. Debe, through your example, you have shown that these values are not just words. They are actions, lived every day for the benefit of all.
Debe, thank you for being a guiding light, for your unwavering commitment, and for the positive influence you bring to the lives of so many. Your kindness, empathy, and leadership are deeply appreciated, and your impact will continue to inspire those around you for years to come.
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