Orange County Register

In the spirit  of the holiday, we asked 11 active local Social Media participants said their were thankful for from this brave new world …

• EDUCATION: “I’m incredibly thankful that Social Media opened me up to national connections and conversations in the real estate industry. The industry is on the brink of significant change. To be able to engage with some of the people that are at the forefront of some of these changes is exciting. Without my involvement on Twitter and Facebook, I never would have known these fascinating people.” – Linsey Planeta (@linsey)
• SANITY: “My life is one crazy balancing act that takes up 30 hours of my 24-hour day. You can imagine how far down the list networking, being involved with the community, and doing extracurricular activities has to be. Social Media allowed me to stay connected to my interest groups, news that are relevant to me, stay involved with the non-profit work that mean a lot to me, and my clients in a harmonious fashion so that I don’t feel like I have to live many different lives, and I can maintain sanity.” – Paul Tran (@paultran)
• TWEETUPS: “I have met some fantastic people that I respect, appreciate, and genuinely like. Recently I was devastated to find out that a friend and client had lost a young child. I remembered that I had met an amazing floral designer, the owner of Avante Gardens in Brea, at an Irvine tweetup.  I sent her a message asking for help.  Her genuine concern gave me great comfort and peace.  She personally handled creating a beautiful floral arrangement.  Words cannot accommodate my gratitude to her.” – Carolynn Santaniello (@ocrealtress)
• CONNECTIONS: “I am grateful for a very powerful platform to connect, engage, give, help and learn from the most amazing people! Virtual connections have become a valuable part of my life. Then then having the opportunity to elevate this connection in real life is a most extraordinary and enriching experience! Social Media is a 24/7 free buffet fulfilling everyone’s palette!” – Henie Reisinger (hennartonline)
• DEALS: “I am thankful Twitter! I get tons of stuff for free and lots of coupons which saves me money.” – Rhonda Burgin (@burginco)
• CONFIDENCE: “I am extremely thankful for the contacts. Twitter, blogging and Facebook have changed my career. I have been able to grow a large connection of virtual and real life friends. The creation of that community allowed me the faith to take the risk and start my business in blog management and web design this year. Without the strength of my social network, and the support of my followers I would have never taken the risk.” – Kristen Wright (@kristenwright)
• FREEDOM: “I’m thankful for the freedom as a content creator. I am both writer and publisher. Although I don’t answer to an editor, I answer to people much more important: My readers, who’ll ultimately determine the value of what I produce. Their comments — whether supportive or tough-love — crystalize my ideas. Without access to New/Social Media channels, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to carry on this vital dialog, and for that, I am truly thankful.” – Ron Ploof (@ronploof)
• GIVING: “My first temptation was gratitude for the ability to connect with so many outside of my usual spheres of influence. Taking another second to ponder brought me to a more humanitarian conclusion. I’m perhaps most grateful for the culture of support and helpfulness from the community. Yeah, there are those who take, take, take. But, by and large, the “wisdom of the crowd” tends to be spring loaded for give, give, give.” – Mel Aclaro (@melaclaro)
• BRIDGES: “I’m thankful the wonderful connections. It has opened up doors and brought in tons of people that I may have never had the chance to meet. It has built bridges for me across states, provided the opportunity to learn how to engage more people, given me a new avenue with which to help people. I wouldn’t even be writing this paragraph for this article if it wasn’t for Social Media.” – Justin Moore-Brown (@bigheadasian)
• FRIENDS 1: “I am most thankful for Social Media in enrinching my personal and professional life from all of the wonderful people that I have connected with virtually and had the chance to personally meet. I owe who I am today to all of you.” – Neil Schaffer (@nealschaffer)
• FRIENDS 2: @sashakane @davidmoyle @suzbroughton @vbesack @remarx @sendchocolate @barbatsea @josephaldrich @queenofspain @shannatrenholm @technosailor @irreverentwidow @rachyrach1 @adrigonzo @anaperiodista @daNanner @DavidKirlew @Dawn_Abraham @g33kski11z @KatieKrafka @MiaChambers @mousewords @nobodys_girl @oakmonster @techbabe @wenditv and, of course, @jonlan” – Gregg Gallagher (@fstop23)

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