Faith is defined as:
This word is deeply engraved on the back of our Faith Angel Inspiration Coin. The pewter token is about the size of a quarter, making it easy to carry in a pocket, bag or change purse. $1.75/each.
So…I did a shout out to my friends on Facebook the other day asking for help with ideas for this blog because I was having serious writer’s block. One friend (hello SK!) suggested I write about that…needing ideas to write about. Then she said “but one would question why you are doing a blog then”. Excellent point my friend, excellent point.
If this was my personal blog, I would have given up ages ago. It’s hard to be inspired on a consistent basis, then write about it. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I would have been a blogger quitter.
But, every time I think about trashing the business blog, I read something about blogging being an excellent online marketing tool. And it’s free. So then I feel guilty, and I’ll bang out a few posts and hope for the best. Since I run an online retail store, it is imperative that I keep up with search engine trends, new ‘fads’, link possibilities, etc. My products can be pinned, instagrammed, facebooked, blogged, searched, linked, etsyed, amazoned, ebayed, and tweeted in addition to being purchased on our 3 websites. Whew. It’s TOUGH to keep up.
Recently I took some time off from work and being really present, both physically and mentally in the office. About a year to be exact. This meant I also took some time off the blog. This summer I returned to work with a renewed energy and perspective. And a new attitude about this blog. I am determined to keep up with it, and I am eager to see some benefits.
So, thank you for reading this. Blog on!
~Brenda
A camp where I used to work observes the end of each experience by inviting that week’s campers to place a rock on a cairn pile while sharing a memory or lesson they will carry with them. This tradition pulls from many ancient ones across the world. It is one that has always spoken to me, a tactile sentimentalist who appreciates symbolism.
I now help to lead an organization for adoptees and their families. While year-round in service, we gather once a year for a weekend that is intense, transformative, challenging, uplifting. It is through this organization that I learned of Brenda and her business, CourageInStone.com. They worked with us to create a custom logo rock as well as others with words of direction and inspiration. We gave these rocks as thanks to some of our leaders and speakers as well as sold them at our store. Friends purchased these rocks for each other as acknowledgement of their connection. Others took home rocks to place on their desks or by their beds as daily reminders. Some even playfully take pictures of their rocks in different settings and use as Facebook profile or cover photos. To me, all these actions represent a modern cairn … a way to physically mark the time spent and community felt together at our conferences.
Thank you, Brenda and CourageInStone.com for providing these beautiful stones.
Stacy Schroeder is the executive director of KAAN (the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network). You can learn more about this organization by visiting www.KAANet.org.
1. I can set my own hours. Sort of.
Being the owner technically gives me the flexibility to decide when I am in the office. But, I would argue that I’m actually pretty much **always** working. There is no such thing as leaving work at the office for me…this business was my first ‘baby’ and I’m constantly nurturing it and worrying about it and watching it grow and sometimes watching it stumble. This is a constant thing for me. But it is nice to occasionally say “I’m not coming in today, it’s a great day for a picnic at the park!”
2. I get to be creative.
We are constantly brain storming ideas around the office…from new products to marketing to customer relations to sales force incentives to blog ideas. There are always projects to work on, always new ideas that need molding and shaping, always ‘the next big thing’. I love it.
3. I can bring my son to work.
I am grateful I can show my son on a daily basis that woman are strong and smart and can be business leaders. I am thankful to show him how to work hard and in a team environment and how to respect business. He is just a toddler, but I believe he is soaking all this in on a daily basis and will grow up with a strong, fundamental belief in the concept that hard work, honesty, laughter and passion are the keys to a happy life.
4. I get to pick the people I work with.
We are a small company and work closely together. So it’s essential that we get along. Sometimes we cry, most of the time we laugh, and all of the time we respect each other. I’m lucky to get to choose who I eat lunch with everyday.
5. Our customers.
I love making our customers happy. We sell happy products. Our stones and tokens heal, uplift, inspire, give courage and strength and generally make people feel good. From births to funerals, and everything in between, we send products to people all over the world. It is constantly astonishing that we can touch the lives of folks we’ll never meet.
I hope you love your job as much as I do.
Namaste, Brenda
Since we are quickly approaching the fall season I thought I would delve into the world of acorns today!
The acorn is a symbol of strength and power. In the fall, these tiny yet hardy little nuggets drop from the oak trees to land on the ground. Most will be eaten by passing wildlife, but a few will survive to form a new tree in the spring. Because the acorn only appears on a fully mature oak, it is often considered a symbol of the patience needed to attain goals over long periods of time. It represents perseverance and hard work.
Our Pocket Acorn measures approx. 1/2″ x 1/2″. It is cast in pewter from a real acorn. Legend has it that carrying a pocket acorn ensures a long life. It is the Nordic symbol of life. And, it is a helpful reminder that “Big things start small.”
We also carry a Son Blessing Coin that shows a cutout of an acorn and the back of the coin reads: “Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” just the perfect sentiment for the boys and men in our lives.
~Suzi
I love all of our tokens. I don’t feel like I could sell them without loving them all. But I definitely have a few that I am particularly partial to, for various reasons.
These are near and dear to my heart because they are how I got into the ‘stone and token business’ to begin with. I started carrying them as a sweet counter-sale, inexpensive and universal. They remain one of our top selling items today.
2. Forever Family Blessing Coin
I had so much fun designing this token, and it is near and dear to my heart because it is inspired by my personal journey of adopting my son. Always, always makes me smile when someone buys one (or a hundred).
3. Be The Change You Wish To See In The World
This is short and to the point. It’s good to have this constant reminder.
4. Pocket Acorn
Big things start small. So many great things in our lives start with just a seed…a thought…a feeling…and all have potential to grow into strong, healthy, beautiful things.
Always good advice. Breathing deeply is cleansing, calming and good for you. Go ahead, take a deep breath. Don’t you feel better?
Namaste,
Brenda
Did you know…
We have a retail site: http://www.courageinstone.com
We have a bulk site: http://www.givecourage.net
We have a wholesale site: http://www.shopgivecourage.net
We have an Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CourageInStone
We have an Amazon store: http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A3D3XC5WPNZHQI
We have an EBAY store: http://stores.ebay.com/courageinstone
We tweet: @courageinstone
We’re on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourageInStone
We’re on Instagram: CourageInStone
Our blog is: https://courageinstone.wordpress.com/
Whew! And I’m sure in a couple of days/months/years, there will be something else that we’ll need to connect to or join. Sometimes it’s just too much. But most of the time it’s a whole lot of fun. It’s very, very cool to be able to connect to all of our customers all over the world with just a few clicks!
Come see us on Etsy and search ‘Forever Family Necklace’ or visit our store CourageInStone at http://www.etsy.com. $6.00 includes coin and adjustable black cord w/lobster claw clasp.
Accept differences, Be kind, Count your blessings, Dream, Express thanks, Forgive, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Reciprocate, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth, Win graciously, Xeriscape, earn for peace, Zealously support a worthy cause.
ABC’s of Life plaques make great gifts! They come in the large wall hanging style, or the small desk sitter.
These double sided engraved river rocks are on sale for only $.85/each which is a huge savings!
Visit us at www.courageinstone.com
CourageInStone 