The Girls of Gratitude…Introducing Karen

I’m so excited to introduce my next Gratitude Girl…or in this case “Girls.”

I’m really lucky because both gals have the same name, Karen.  The Karen(s) are really important people to me.   In my last post I talked about surrounding yourself with people who truly inspire and motivate you.   I’m very fortunate to have some wonderful people in my life; I feel, assembled through years of relationships and experience.

In honor of my next group of Gratitude Girls, I am excited to introduce you to another new piece in the Gratitude Artisan Collection called “Karen.”

It’s earthy and casual yet dressy just like my Karen’s.  Both Karen’s love brown, which is why I chose it for this piece.  It symbolizes devotion, friendship and love, gratitude and peace.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and hand painted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is hand wrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful chocolate and khaki swarovski crystals.  The beautiful toggle clasp was hand selected to reflect the earth and nature – which is embodied in this piece.

Now that you’ve heard about this beautiful piece, I’d like to introduce you to the personalities behind it….

The first Karen is one of my bffs and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls. Yeah, we have a lot in common and have a lot of fun…Twilight, New Moon, anyone? LOL – but seriously we’re different, too. It’s fun to have a group of friends that are similar yet different. We all have our strengths and that makes it all the more fun.

If I had to pick one word to describe this Karen, I would have to say devoted. She’s a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She’s the go-to gal.

Here’s a little more about Karen…

1.  What is one thing that you can’t leave home without?

My cell phone of course. I have two teenage daughters that I need to have close contact with at all times.

2.    What is your dream vacation?

I guess I’m taking it in March with my husband, Tom. We haven’t been on a vacation alone in 10 years.  We will be going on a Southern Caribbean cruise (my first time on a cruise).  We are very excited!

3.   What is your favorite drink/beverage?

My favorite drink is a glass of red wine with my best friends.

4.   What is your favorite clothing item?

My favorite clothing item would be sweat pants!

5.  What is your favorite season?

I look forward to the change of seasons, I really enjoy the beginning of each.  If I had to pick it would be Fall!

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Camping!  I grew up camping in Wells Maine every year until I was 14.  Why Maine?  The coast of Maine is beautiful! That’s where my Mom is from and we would spend time with my relatives.

7.  What is your favorite quote?

“If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours”   It easy and it makes people happy.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

I’m most grateful for waking up every morning healthy and I’m able to share my life with the ones I love!!

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

My Gratitude Bracelet. It was my first purchase and I wear it everyday.  It reminds me of everything I have to be grateful for!!!

I’d now like to introduce you to my sister, Karen.  We’re similar yet vastly different.  She’s strong where I’m weak and vice versa.  We balance each other out.  She’s a second mother to my daughter Faith.  When times are tough, I know I can count on my sister to give me her, “Who loves ya baby?” and it makes me feel better everytime.

Read on to learn more about my sis…

1. What is your favorite way to relax?

Yoga and Walking outdoors

2. What is your favorite color?

Any shade of green and orange

3. What are your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, Bird Watching, Reading, and Knitting

4. What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap

5.  What is your favorite holiday dish?

a.    Thanksgiving—Stuffing and Turnips

b.    Christmas-Gram’s Pierogi’s, Rice Pudding

6.   What is your favorite childhood memory?

Spending our summers at the shoreline.

Each year we would rent a cottage near the Connecticut shoreline.  I enjoyed hanging out at the beach with my sisters and my family.  I also liked riding my bike along the beach and riding it especially to our favorite pastry shop, Emily’s.

7.  What is your favorite quote(s)?

(Any quote by Emerson or Thoreau…I’m a transcendentalist)

“The only way to be a friend is to be one.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”  ~Joseph Campbell
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. What are you most grateful for?

My health, family, and friends

9. What is your favorite piece of jewelry in Gratitude Collection:

**I LOVE THEM ALL!!!! I have many pieces from all the collections.  I have purchased many earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in chocolate and caramel that compliment the earth tones I gravitate towards.  I also have a number of pieces that are classic black.

In addition, I have a black and brown Eclectic Toggle Necklace.  I love being able to switch the charms for effortless accessorizing.  I have also found this helpful to expanding the colors in my wardrobe beyond just brown and black.  I have the blue bulls eye charm that I wear with so many outfits, the red metallic, the black spiral metallic, the chocolate with the polka dots…love them all!

Gratitude for Where We Are – Gets Us to Where We Need to Be

I hope you enjoy this Affirmation and Self Reflection Exercise

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Being grateful for where I am forges the path to where I want to be.

I make a conscious effort to give thanks for all good things in my life. The more I show my gratitude, the more good things I receive to be thankful for!

When I awake in the morning, I give thanks for the new day. The good feelings I generate start my day in a perfect way, and I find that one good thing leads to another. This positive boost helps me fly through my daily tasks with energy and momentum.

I thank my spouse for the things he does for me. This makes him feel loved and appreciated and he goes out of his way to do even more for me. It becomes a never-ending cycle of love!

I find things to thank my daughter for every day. When she does a good job on anything, I thank her for her effort, motivating her to continue. My happiness is even greater when I see her, too, discovering the joys of gratitude and telling others, “Thank you.”

As my day goes on, I thank my customers for their business. In return, I receive their loyalty and friendship.

I thank my friends for being there for me. They’re always there to lend a helping hand and cheer me on.

I realize that even the challenges of my day arise for good reason and I’m grateful for the lessons I learn from these obstacles. Invariably, my challenges bring me closer to my goals, in one way or another, as I seek solutions.

Today, I strive to feel gratitude, enjoy it, and let it show in how I treat others.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I let myself feel and enjoy gratitude and its benefits?
2. How has showing someone my gratitude brought me something good in return?
3. How can I show my gratitude more often?

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Do you need a tangible reminder during the day as you cultivate your practice of gratitude? The Gratitude Collection, inspirational jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and gratitude, is the perfect reminder to wear with you during the day and keep you on track as you grow your daily practice.

Here’s what one customer says about wearing The Gratitude Collection:

I wear pieces from the Gratitude Collection as a constant reminder of the good in my life. I think of their deep seated meaning for me and for so many others.  Life is good.  Deanna and The Gratitude Collection help to remind of this.

Dorothy from Connecticut