Blogs

Top Hearted Posts

Do you believe in Karma?

by on ‎08-13-2013 11:04 AM

Hi my friends,


I wanted to share with you a few highlights from last week’s trip to Thailand.



On my first day, I presented our October and December designs along with the inspiration for our new Spring Collections to our QVC buying team.  It’s funny, but even after years of presenting for John Hardy, I still get a little anxious when I show the new designs and concepts for the first time. Luckily, almost every time, whether presenting for a National Retailer or exclusively for QVC, the collections always seem to exceed their expectations, and this time was no different.



Working with the QVC buying team is always such a pleasure and this trip was extra special because I had the pleasure of working with the talented and very kind Peyton Kelley.  He brought such a wealth of knowledge and a unique point of view, especially when it came to selecting the new gemstones for our upcoming shows.  I was thrilled when Peyton told me how impressed he was with the designs and the quality of the gemstones.


Since this particular trip was not an inspiration trip, I was able to go explore more of the daily life of the Thai people.  One of my favorite experiences about working with JAI is having the opportunity to discover the authentic details that make up the fabric of a culture.


This trip I spent three days traveling around the outskirts of Bangkok and exploring the local villages with a guide.  Each trip to the Far East, I learn something new about the culture and heritage of the local artisans.  I wanted to share with you what I learned about the role of karma in the Thai Culture.



Did you know that Thailand is approximately 90% Buddhist?  A portion of the Thai Buddhist belief system is based on the Karma Ethic. It basically states that if you do good things, good things will happen to you.  This is a daily life principle that is to be lived each and every day.


For the Thai people, Karma is not a preordained fate, but more the belief that good or bad deeds, thoughts, and actions will inevitably ripen into results.  Simply stated, you are responsible for the life that you create.  Throughout the day, my guide would point out all the good deeds one could and would do to create positive karma for oneself.


I asked my guide if there was a traditional positive act of kindness that I do to better understand the role of karma in Thai society.  The next morning we woke up early and went to the local market to buy some Thai food. We then traveled to a Buddhist Monastery where I presented food to a Buddhist monk. My guide explained to me, that since the monks have given up all worldly possessions, they rely on the kindness of strangers for their food.  They say, when you offer food to a monk, the karma principle states that you will have a bountiful supply of food throughout your lifetime.  The frequency on which one does good deeds will affect the overall outcome of one’s life.



I love this basic principle for life: do good and good things will come to you.  I was raised to ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ but the Thai interpretation of karma offers the ability to have a sort of checks and balance throughout a lifetime.


Please join me on our JAI Jewelry Facebook page.  I would like to encourage each of you to share different acts of kindness that you do and see during your day.  If we share the positive things in our lives, imagine how we can change each other’s lives.  I know many of you do acts of kindness daily without thinking about it, but your act may inspire someone else to follow in your footsteps. What do you say? Let’s change the world one kind act at a time.


Safe travels,


Scott Grimes