Each Man's Life Touches So Many Other Lives

You remember this line, don’t you?

It comes from what has become a holiday classic, Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed. The movie is a “must see” each year for me especially when I begin to address my holiday cards.

It seems that list of friends, neighbors, high school classmates, college classmates, business associates, etc grows longer every year! I (literally) have to start addressing my multi-denominational cards in mid October.

Long before Facebook came along (which now shows me as having over 1100 friends), this was my gauge of just how many people have come into my life and I consider a “special thread in the fabric of my life and who I am.” How special is it when you can count the length of a friendship by the decade and just the number of years?

We in real estate touch so many lives every year as we fulfill our client’s goals and dreams. I believe that it is our responsibility as we touch all lives (whether clients or not) in a positive way.

I am not aware of any other industry that its members get behind so many projects and charities that help others. “Habitat for Humanity,” “The Children’s Miracle Network,” “Candlelighters,” “Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure,” etc are just a few that the real estate industry gives generously of their time and resources.

While giving to these charities is a great way to brand our companies to the cause, there are others of us who go about helping others without recognition (except from our “Higher Power”) or without promotion.

“Giving back generously to the community and/or the real estate industry” is one of the three criteria that the Publisher’s Advisory Board must consider in the nomination and vote process for the cover story honor.

This month’s cover honoree, Yvonne Walker of RE/MAX Space Center, is one of those individuals who does for others in need without recognition and without a second thought as to the challenges in doing so.

Yvonne has a wonderful heart and gives generously to her family, church, clients, and friends. It was truly our pleasure to work with Yvonne on her special issue of the magazine.

The “Spirit of Giving” generously to others is not limited to Houston Realtors® but alive and well in our associates as well.

We are very pleased to offer you profiles of three such individuals and companies in this issue. They are Kelli Owens and her incredible team at Fidelity National Title - Galleria, Jeff Shealey and Encompass Lending Group, and Tom Carpentier and Stewart Specialty Insurance Services.

These are terrific people and companies whose mission is to earn your testimonials and referrals. Please consider adding them to your team of affiliates.

Finally, before I close with my best wishes for this holiday season and the coming year, I share with you one Realtor’s® version on the classic poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Thank you to Joanie Thompson Yust for allowing me to share this poem one more time.

This season, make it a point to touch some lives of those less fortunate that we are. So many of our fellow Americans are hungry and so many more are hungry and homeless. Make a difference this holiday.

Good Reading, Good Sales, and Season’s Greetings,

Steve LevinePublisher

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