It is without a doubt that we walk hand in hand through ActiveRain to many social media sites. For one,we comingle around these sites with the solid fact that we will make connections with many others whether it be to reconnect with family, friends or to make new acquaintances and business connections. Sooner or later we meet face to face or at the very least converse on the phone across oceans and miles nationwide and to other countries.
I had an epiphany when ‘traveling' through cyberspace while learning the ins and outs of blogging on ActiveRain and then hopping across the social media universe. The transparency of ‘self' was the focal point of this whole blogging thing and while being ‘social' on all sites. It was this transparency that brought me success.
We all have read many a ActiveRain Success Story here and the first year of my time on ActiveRain I wrote my first one One Year in ActiveRain: Time & Effort Equals Success.
The one thing I believed ‘back then' and still do today is what I stated in that post........
"If it is one thing I have respected are the people who did not change in spirit and in soul along their pathway to blogging freedom and remained themselves......
....The ones who have written from the heart and let their whole persona shine through."
Now, 3 years later of being an ActiveRain Member and I had another realization come to life through another's passing. I may not be able to muster as much time to write many blogs here although my heart is here each and every day. I attribute my hard work and effort to apply what I learned on ActiveRain in my business model and I bonded with my peers and made astounding connections and friendships.
It is because of those connections I made here on ActiveRain that I went out to mingle on other sites like Facebook to stay connected with those friends I made here on ActiveRain. Without that transparency and bonding I may not have found out about my dear friend Carole Provenzale's passing.... Proof that we did not have to meet face to face to form a friendship that spanned over three years on ActiveRain. I know this to be true.....because my heart aches.
Write from your own thoughts and creativity with conviction, passion, integrity, honesty and respect.
In turn receive business, connections and awesome friendships .....
This is the Power of ActiveRain.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally - Very inspirational posts. Sometimes I get tied up in writing blogs to generate web trafifc. Although that is extremely important, your post is a great reminder that blogging is a great way for potential clients to really get to know us.
Chris: And that's what it's all about....if they can't 'see' us through our written word....then what's the sense? Our success is from those transparent words....as if the person is face to face talking with us...not talking at us.
Very well written endorsement of the full meaning of being part of a community like Active Rain. I have been a part of it for about 8 months and feel like I have made some real friends. Who can make so many new friends at once in such a short time. Carole's passing was as much a shock as if it was someone I actually knew, because I "knew" her online.
Well done post. Best wishes for continued success!
I knew the huge value of on line friendships prior to activerain. I met my first web guru on line in 1998. We never set foot in the same room and we taught each other a ton of things and formed a wonderful friendship. Saddly he passed away in 2003. I lost not only my web master, but a valued friend.
I also met my husband on line (also in 1998). Hopefully I'm keeping him for a long time to come.
Among these pages I've opened my heart and soul and found friends I know will be lifelong friends. The business... well that's just a bonus.
Sally,
Sorry about Carole!
I do believe you can make great friends on line! People, mostly school kids used to have pen pals, why should the dough their Grand children's e-mail and blogging friends?
Bill
William: It was astounding how I felt such a connection with many people....and met them face to face...or on the phone...and they were exactly how I 'thought' them to be....all from their written words!
Tammy: I didn't...when I first started I had no clue what blogging was....amazing what over three years did! And...the business IS a huge bonus...but nothing will replace the significance of the 'connection'!
Roy..thanks...and to you too :)
Jane: It is the best endorsement (and explanation) in my opinion that I can give....it's all about the PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORDS.
Oh Sally, this is the best explanation of all the good parts of Social networking that are available to those who truly are themselves and:
"The ones who have written from the heart and let their whole persona shine through."
I was fortunate to meet you and a few others when I first arrived here who encouraged me to be myself and and engage with others along the way. Because of that I have made more friends and connections than I ever could have before the advent of Active Rain. Have a great week my friend!
I miss Carole too. As Active Rain friends and if we are aching for her loss, we can only pray for the children she left behind. Yes, the power of Active Rain is indeed powerful. I didn't know what I signed up to when I joined 3 years ago too.
Sally, we need to be ourselves in what ever we do, it we are not it shows loud and clear.
By the way I like the new picture :)
Sally - In terms of friendships, I have gotten so much more out of Active Rain than what I had initially signed up for,and then some.
Thanks Russell! It is all the good parts of it isn't it :) :)
Loreena: You and me both...and what a joy it's been!
George; No kidding...thanks for the compliment buddy :)
Carol: me too..and look ...we 'met' too :)
Sally
A very well done post, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hello Sally and some great posts, information and a wonderful plug to AR and Carole is missed by everyone!
VB ;-)
Thanks Lou and Robert! Carole will be missed indeed...and my way of giving a bit of a tribute....
I actually remember that post and that picture wheel you made :) Yep, three years later and so many of us that don't post all the time here still keep up with each other either on Twitter or Facebook....me I prefer Twitter :)
I really loved how you wrote this...and like you I know these friendships are true as my heart also aches over Carol's passing, just as it does anuytime one of these friends hurt, are sick, or anything else. How lucky we are to have made these friendships...and I am so glad that I count you as one of them :)
Sis - I remember that wheel as well. You personify what is right with Social Networking and are a great example of the success that can be achieved through it. And the outpour of AR members in reaction to Carol's passing is truly extraordinary.
Sally,
The business leads are good, but the friendships made here are great! I share your sense of community and your sadness with Carole's passing.
Indeed, Carole's passing is a sad time and it is amazing to see how many posts there have been.
Kathy: It's nice to see each other here.....I suppose no matter what.. I keep coming back...
Bro: I was not surprised... she was loved
Irene: Yea they are!
Barb: yes...but the significance is how we formed the friendships and how social networking keeps us in touch with each other.
Sally, Great post. We all miss Carole . She was a wonderful person .
I do have to say, Active Rain is where it all began and I will be forever grateful. For the friendships I have made along the way, the teachings and being able to share common bonds. It was Facebook that I too learned about Carole and was devastated and shocked but it was Active Rain that led us, all of us together. Wow, I remember those days. I remember the " hometown " feel. The family atmosphere. Carole is going to be missed greatly. I know I will miss her.
I feel your heartache, Sally, and know that it is genuine -- and that's the point you make so beautifully.
Sally! Great Post! I agree with you completely! Have a great weekend.