Activerain: A Feng Shui Consultant's Journey to 300,000 Points
If ANYONE had told me in October, 2006 that I would EVER reach this milestone (or still be on this site), I would have NEVER believed them. NEVER! This post should be dedicated to my friends but the group specifies it has to be about the JOURNEY....and what a Journey it has been!
Although I signed on at that time, having found a blog and going to the source to "check it out" I stumbled on JUST ANOTHER SITE. So I thought. I signed up and didn't think about it again for a few months. I had a big presentation for The Long Island Board of Realtors on both Feng Shui and Home Staging to present-and I put all my Energy into putting it together.
Coming back, I decided to just introduce myself; With something PROFOUND of course. I believe the title of my first post was "Hi All." Suffice to say it didn't go over very well. Neither did my next post about Home Staging and Feng Shui. I did get one comment from our very own Val Allocco who welcomed me to the site and lived nearby.
While Feng Shui is commonplace in New York, I didn't realize it wasn't even KNOWN elsewhere-or that there were some very serious misconceptions about it-AND the Consultants that practice it.
After posting for a while, I seriously considered getting off Activerain. I'd had no comments (although I DID have a few not very nice emails asking me to leave). I don't know why I persisted to be honest. Maybe just because I hate giving up---or maybe it was more. IF I could GET PEOPLE TO READ ME, MAYBE I COULD CLEAR UP SOME OF THOSE MISCONCEPTIONS.
I started posting to other groups-and started getting comments. I was stirring an interest with just a few people-and then a few more. When my posts got featured is when people noticed me-many wrote they didn't even KNOW a Feng Shui Consultant was on this site.
Business picked up--and up. But that isn't what keeps me here. As big as Activerain has gotten, we are FAMILY. Who help each other out and truly DO care about one another.
Through UPS and DOWNS I have received support, encouragement and help. And have sent lots of blessings and continue to do so to all those that have helped me along the way. Bless you all, each one of you is Precious to me.
There IS a Feng Shui Consultant on Activerain! My advice to anyone just starting out on here---it can begin as a lonely road but DON'T GIVE UP. Those who are meant to find you will. And remember some of my mother's favorite words:
"If you want to HAVE A FRIEND, YOU HAVE TO BE ONE."
Blessings to every SINGLE one of you who has helped me along the way....I would not be here if it weren't for you.
I thought I'd leave a few of my favorite posts during the last two years on ActiveRain.
FUN Feng Shui in New York City: What ELSE does a Feng Shui Consultant do? What incredible things you find in New York City!
Let's Talk About Predecessor Energy: A Feng Shui Post from Feng Shui Long Island What you SHOULD know about Energy in Homes.
Can LOCALISM Posts Actually HURT You? Today I got my answer..... Why I belive in being REAL.
Mirror, Mirror----WAIT! Don't Hang Me Yet!! by Feng Shui Long Island Any questions about Mirrors?
Some Posts Just HIT You REALLY HARD By Feng Shui Long Island
FENG SHUI EYES by Feng Shui Long Island, New York City Another way to see the World
What's in the HEART of Your Home? UPDATED! A Feng Shui Home in Pictures..... Health issues in a home---You Can SEE them.
Activerain: BENEFITS VS. RISKS Just because it was so much FUN to write :)
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York City and Long Island and Online/Phone Consultations for those at a distance for homes, offices, businesses, corporations, renovations, and new construction.
Carole, having been with you on a good part of this journey it has been a real pleasurable ride. You are one of the BEST here on Active Rain. Congratulations on another milestone.
Hello Carole,
Congratulations on reaching 300,000 points. Like Gary, I feel like we have traveled much of this journey together. I have learned from you, celebrated with you and grieved for and with you. Yes, we are family.
Congratulations, my friend! That's a wonderful journey and you have made it with such grace. I am so glad you stayed to play in the Rain. I have learned so much from your posts and feel like I have 'met' a lifelong friend.
God bless!
There is no other way but being a friend to have friends :) Congratulation Carole! A job well done for sure!
Hi Carole-Glad to make your acquaintance. I've just started my journey on AR since January 1. A mutual friend Gary Woltal got me started and of course I'm already hooked. Congrats on such an amazing accomplishment. I'm originally from NY and never had heard of Feng-Shui so I will be reading with much interest. You are very talented and I commend you for your dedication to not giving up. I love that pic of the woods with the sun shining thru. Gorgeous. :-)
Carole ~ I'm certainly glad you didn't listen to those first nasty e-mails! Congrats on your 300,000 points and all the information you have shared with all of us on Feng Shui. You've been a great supporter to me (and my posts) and I appreciate the fact that you befriended me when I joined!
Carole, I can't even imagine 300,000 points. I love reading about you and Feng shui. You brought awareness to those of us who had - I still don't - no idea about Feng Shui and how it affects our lives. You are such a passionate wonderful person and you deserve all you get and then some.
Carole, Congratulations on 300,000 points. I've been reading your blog since I joined back in Jan. of 2007. I've always been interested in Feng Shui (yes, I knew about it before I met you) and have learned so much from you. I can't imagine AR with our special Feng Shui expert and a wonderful friend. I'm always honored when you stop one of my posts to comment -- I appreciate your friendship and support.
Wow! Impressive! You are a positive and caring person and it's a pleasure to say congratulations!
Wow Carole, 300,000 pts. That's a whole lotta contributing! I'm not quite at 100,000 but it is definitely in striking distance. Here's to the next 300,000. You go girl!
Hi Miss Carole- now get they to Twitter! You will see many familar faces and an unbelievable new horizon will open for you. Do we have a new baby yet?
Way to go Carole !!! 300K !!!... and thanks for such great posts. I now look fwd to going back over some of the ones I may have missed !
... hopefully our paths will cross in NY one day :o)
Cheers ! and Congrats again !!!!
Thank you for earning the 300,000 points. If you hadn't worked so hard we wouldn't have learned so much and benefited from your knowledge and sharing.
Carole, Good for you!! Congratulations and a big Thank you for all of your wonderful posts.
My dear friend Carole, congrats on your 300K and thanks for bringing an extra dimension to our group.
As for "IF I could GET PEOPLE TO READ ME, MAYBE I COULD CLEAR UP SOME OF THOSE MISCONCEPTIONS"...
I think a lot of people could use an eye opening introduction to Feng Shui and I'd love to do a feature with you in the coming weeks/months. My plate if kind of full right now but if you're game. let me know, I'd love to interview you. Nite!
Well first of all big congrats on the 300k milestone. I appreciated your walk back in time and all that you have learned in the process. Perhaps, one day I too will reach this milestone. Take care and happy blogging!
Carole - First, let me say another great post; "Congratulations on reaching your milestone; I can imagine that the journey was much more theraputic than the destination.
Carole congrats on reaching your new milestone. That is terrific! It won't be long before I join you in the 300k club:)
Carole, you are a very determined individual. You didn't give up on your home issues and you didn't stop posting with a few nasty emails. That would have discouraged me right off. I didn't get any comments either right away.
Persistance pays off, I have learned tons from you.
Hi Carole-Congrats on the milestone of 300,000. That is amazing. I applaud you for not giving up as the saying goes WINNERS NEVER QUIT AND QUITTERS NEVER WIN. You are so very much a winner as a friend as a person. :-)
Carole--Congrats! You are waaaaay ahead of me in points...and subscribers. Way to go!
Carole, Wowser! That takes a lot of consistency and discipline! Like Gary said though, you are one of the BEST. I love your writings so don't EVER stop! Keep them coming my friend...
Congratulations! Deb
Well I am SO glad that you weren't deterred by a few nasty emails and stayed. It's been wonderful getting to know you and learning so much about feng shui, especially considering about all I knew before was how to pronounce it! Congratulations on your milestone, my "fair" friend. I'm looking forward to the next one.
300,000 points is an incredible accomplishment.
You should be thoroughly proud of yourself!
I look forward to reading your blogs as you strive for the next 300K
Congratulations!
Gary, What a nice thing to say, thank you. Who would ever have thought............?
Cynthia, We have, I believed we signed on or started posting about the same time! You were one of the very first people to come to my posts--and you're still here--bless you!
Carol, You do have a life long friend right here! I too am thankful that we "met."
Sally, I don't have to tell you how exciting it's been--and fun! Your posts are some of the very best in the rain and I'll never live up to your Localism posts (which doesn't stop me from trying).
Hi Sharon, Thank you so much for stopping by and your lovely comment and welcome to Activerain! You are going to love it--and you'll probably never realized you had so much to say :)!
Kathy, It's a pleasure knowing you! Those emails were so mean--I hate to think about it. I'm glad I stayed.
Audrey, It is a pleasure reading your posts and thank you for the lovely compliment. You'll know more as you read on---I have always believed it will help anyone's business--and home!
Judi, Thank you so much! What an experience Activerain is--although I'm sure you know that already. I am subscribed to over 200 people but I do comment as much as I can :)
Susan, Thank you so much for stopping by and the lovely comment--I appreciate it!
Michelle, You have been a true friend, I know you are there if I need you and I thank you for that! Your posts are wonderful!!
Hi Gayle, Twitter is on the list--so is this outside blog. I am convinced I will never get caught up. No, no luckat all :( The shelters don't have any information about the animals.....I'm still trying.
Sheldon, Thank you! Surely AR will have another conference here and you may just see me at that one. Look down--I'm only 5 feet :(
Dena, Thank you. It wasn't work, it was fun---I would have left if it felt like work :)
Rhonda, Thank you....I am so happy to see you back and always hope things are well.
Marti, That is SO nice, of course I would love it! I can't think of a higher compliment so yes, I'm game :)!
Jason, I do believe you will reach it as well....but sure never thought I would, honestly. I stayed because I love it here--then it's not work at all.
Bobby, I'd have to say you're right. I never thought I would be here and went to review some old posts--it's been quite a journey for me and I loved it.
Bill, Then I will be on the lookout for your post! And if I happen to be out of the rain that day, send me the link, I absolutely don't want to miss it!
Missy, Gee, I hadn't looked at it that way at all. But I guess you're right. If I hadn't persisted I would not be doing Feng Shui right now (shudder!!). Thank you for that eye opener.
Pat, Great saying (and I wonder why I never heard it). Thank you and PLEASE identify your pictures--those gorgeous shots are driving me nuts!
Teri, I always think of Cynthia and you and I starting posting around the same time. We are still here and isn't that nice? And I still think of your Artful Distractions posts, they are amazing (not to mention a brilliant idea!).
Deb, Thank you. I don't believe I will ever stop but I may slow down--it's got to be old age :) I have loved the "ride."
Lisa, I miss my fairs with this weather :( And yours never end! It is wonderful to meet you so early on and have remained friends--which I am sure we always will.
Craig, I am proud....and very tired--lol. I stay up WAY too late on AR and STILL never get caught up :) Thank you!
Carole,
Congrats on reaching the 300,000 point milestone!! You've done this with finesse, charm, extreme talent and one of the most giving and empathic hearts I've ever come across here in the rain (and in the world, for that matter). We are all blessed to know you and have you amongst us....
thank you for being you,
Jo
Carole ~ Congratulations to me your one of the pioneers in AR!!! Heres to your next 300,000 points
Carole- I for one am SO glad that you stayed on! I love your posts! and thank your for sometimes being the only one who reads mine! lol.
btw- I found some RED envelopes on clearance today at Staples. If I hadn't been reading yours and others Feng Shui posts, I would have just passed them by!
Carole, I am truly glad you stayed. Congratulations on your milestone, it is well deserved.
Carole -- I can see why you have so many friends - because you certainly are a friend. Thanks for sharing all of the wisdom and knowledge with your friends on Active Rain.
Carole, Congratulations. I remember when you started on active rain. One of your posts had great pictures but you didn't know why they weren't automatically posted to localism. i remember commenting to you that we got 25 points but you had to upload your pictures to localism. You really took some great pictures.
I've learned a lot about Feng Shui from your posts. I find it really interesting. I don't always comment but I enjoy your blogs. I would love to repost one of your articles or have you as a guest author on my outside blog. If you're interested maybe sometime you can give a presentation on Feng Shui at our weekly office meeting. I think my manager and the other agents would be very interested.
Carole, Congratualtions on reaching this awesome milestone. I am so glad you decided to stick around!
Ginger
300,000 Points WOW!!! - CONGRATULATIONS , that is truly fantastic. shows a tremendous dedication to you and your business. I know it will pay off personally and professionally
Congratulations Carole, 300,000 points is not a small achievement! I will be visiting your blog to learn more about Feng Shui (I am still somewhat newish around here) Happy 2009!
Congratulations on your 300,000th point! We love reading your blog and hope to see you get another 300,000 points! All the best in 2009.
Jo, What a beautiful comment, thank you! We all feel the same about you and miss your wonderful and enlightening posts here--come back soon!
Fernando, Could you bring that in person please? :) I wasn't a pioneer on here, there were already about 6,000 members--I just apparently have a big mouth......
Linda, Lots of people read your posts, they are wonderful. I'm glad you got some Red Envelopes, Office Max has them as well.....I heard Chase Banks are using them in some areas!.
Tanya, Thank you so much...it's been a fun rollercoaster ride.
Joan, Isn't it funny how we swore we weren't going to be like our parents and are now using EXACTLY their words? Wish I knew then what I know now :)
Mitchell, What a nice compliment, I would love to give a presentation and you are welcome to use any article or blog you like anytime. I didn't know my pictures didn't automatically went to Localism and certainly tried to take better pictures after you told me! Contact me anytime you'd like a presentation, I enjoy them and so do most agents.
Ginger, Thank you, I am too. I hope that many people that weren't aware of Feng Shui are now.
James, I haven't run out of things to say--yet. One day I will I'm sure. Until then I enjoy it!
Lourdes, Welcome to Activerain--I think you're going to love it here and I will look for your posts as well. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Kevin & Monica, Thank you both very much. You have always been supportive and I appreciate it very much.
Hi Carole,
Congratulations on reaching 300k, thats quite an impressive accomplishment! :)
Carole,
Congratulations on gettig to this milestone. I know you have been a dedicated blogger and you understood early on how much of a business tool blogging could be.
Oh my goodness, what a journey it's been. Like Cynthia said, I feel like I've traveled along with you....it's just taking me so much longer to get there :) Congratulations my friend, and please give me the new number, I miss talking to you :)
Wow, Carole! How did you get so far ahead of me? I thought we started at about the same time. I must be a slacker! LOL
Congrats on your milestone. And I'm awfully glad you stuck it out. I enjoy your posts, and usually learn something when reading them! ~A:)
Congratulations on your success Carole -- your passion and expertise is so evident in your blogs -- I love reading them and wish you were here to teach me in person! Looking forward to reading your next 300,000 worth of blogs!
Congratulations, Carol, and happy new year.
Hi Carole
Congratulations!! I love reading your posts, they are filled with wisdom,love and inspiration!! You have taught me lots and I look forward to your posts.
Carole- Congratulations on this accomplishment... the greatest thing about it is that you've managed to do this while dispensing great content.
I can hardly imagine that level Carole! That's an interesting graphic - curious about it. I'm taking off now to link to some of the posts you've listed here.
Wow Carole! Do you really have 300k points? You have been such a great friend in the rain. You were one of my very first friends and were so sweet and helpful. Thanks for being here and we are so glad are here to teach us so much about feng shui and YOU!
Carole, congratulations on your 300,000 points here. From someone who has been following you for a long time (your personal AR Stalker) YOU are one of the BEST here. It's true. I don't lie. I wouldn't know ANYTHING about Feng Shui or how tall you are if you weren't here : )
Suzanne, Thank you...I would have thought it would be impossible :)
Jennifer, I knew about articles bringing you up but was not at all sure about blogging. What a journey.
Kathy, You have travelled much of it with me..and I appreciate it. I will give you the number but it's on my AR profile too :) Thank you for being a friend.
Lizette, I don't remember when you started but I started posting early in 2006 ( I think). I apparently had a lot to say!
Alisha, I'm so glad people learn from them and always hope they help. Thank you for your kind comment.
MARGARET, Thank you for the nice comment, I am always glad when someone learns something or if a post hits a nerve and insprires someone to try something.
ROBERT, Thank you, the same to you. And I loved your picture in Paris, what nice memories it brought back!
TRACE, You have always been so kind and supportive it was you and people like you that kept me on here...so I thank you ALL.
CHUCK, I try...I'm not sure I've always given the best content but I do try to share experiences or NYC (which people seem to like) and of course, Feng Shui :)
DEBORAH, I "met" you so early on I don't believe you've missed many. And thank you for showing some of the most gorgeous pictures of your fabulous vacation!
CRISTAL, I really do (and I don't believe it, either). Apparently I'm a Feng Shui Consultant who likes to share and hope to inspire some people to try it.
GARY, You are too funny (And I KNEW I should have never mentioned my height :( Thank you for being a friend so soon and all your kindnesses, I really do appreciate it!
Hate mail asking you to leave? That is so wrong for many reasons. So glad you stuck with AR - you've taught me so much, not only about Feng Shui but about living life. Thank you Carole and Congratulations!
300,000????? I can't believe it! I guess when you've been working it consistently for over 2 years you really do start to rack up those points! :) You are a bright spot in ActiveRain and I, for one, am thrilled that you didn't let those negative Nancy's boot you off. :)
Debbie, I realized that some people had never heard of Feng Shui--or had some very wrong ideas on what it was; I believe that was the reason for those emails.
Annie, I honestly can't believe it, either. I had no idea what this site would do for me and still love being here--I know you do as well!
Congratulations, Way to go, I dont' know if I would have had the courage to continue if I had received negative emails. Good for you for persevering.
Congratulations on an awesome milestone. I always enjoy reading your posts!