Dear Happy Asses,
Have you ever walked into a place and been greeted with GREAT energy — that sense of positivity, purpose, and peace the moment you step inside? You can almost feel the warmth and kindness before anyone even opens their mouth.
You’ve probably also walked into a place where it felt like you got hit with a wet blanket of gloom. You want to turn around and head right back out the door. Honestly, turning around may be your best option because energy is contagious. Thankfully, for those who lack happy and joyful energy, it can be cultivated and shifted, but it is hard to do if you spend time with energy drainers.
I am super susceptible to negative energy and will shy away from it at almost any cost. I also know that in business, lack of good energy can cost you big. I want to share a story of something that happened to me over 15 years ago. This story made one friend lots of bucks and many years of friendship and it cost another business my business forever. If you know how much I love to shop, well, that was not a wise business move for Store Number One.
As stated, I am quite the shopper, and when I love something, I usually like lots of it. I went into a store in Pier Park (name withheld to be sweet), and the energy was sad and dismal. I felt it as soon as I walked in the door. So I took my credit card and myself right on down the road and walked into Shimmering Seas for the very first, and certainly not the last, time. I was greeted with enthusiasm, warmth, smiles, and friendly conversation. They scored extra points because they let me bring my Starbucks in the store. That simple kindness began years of friendship and genuine loyalty.
There is no telling how many pieces of jewelry I have bought from Shimmering Seas over the years. There is no telling how many hugs, warm conversations, prayers, and encouragement we have shared. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had been greeted with kindness at the first store. Then again, maybe life was simply steering me someplace better.
I think life works that way a lot. We get nudged in new directions, often by the energy around us. I believe energy is vital if we want a great life and joyful outcomes.
Let me be clear about what kind of energy I am talking about. It is not just the quiet, calm kind. It is also the full-of-life, bouncing-off-the-walls, bursting-with-joy kind. Trust me, I do not have just a little bit of that energy. I have a whole lot of it. But the deeper energy I am referring to is the kind that emanates from people who practice kindness, compassion, patience, and generosity. Some people are born with it. The rest of us can create it through intentional habits.
Years ago someone called me a little “woo-woo” because I care so much about energy. But neuroscientists agree that people who intentionally cultivate uplifting energy are more likely to be healthy, experience abundance, build meaningful relationships, and grow successful businesses.
One of the biggest sources of my energy is extreme gratitude. The more I am grateful for, the more good energy I have. The more I talk about and celebrate the good stuff, the more good stuff I seem to attract.
When hiring for our company, one of the most important traits we look for is good and kind energy. I truly believe we have created a place where the energy makes you want to walk in and then keep coming back. Even better, you carry that same energy back out into the world.
I am so grateful to be surrounded by people with great energy. You make life lighter, brighter, and so much more meaningful. I do, however, need to stop buying jewelry, so perhaps Shimmering Seas could tone down the sparkle just a little. Just kidding, please do not.
I hope these words encourage you to radiate, protect, and pursue good energy. It is out there, and when you choose it, you attract more of it.
With joy and sparkles,
Karen Key Smith
