guest post by Diana Charabin of Tiny Devotions
I have for some time self described myself as “part gypsy and part CEO.”
Both of these characteristics I can proudly thank my parents for – my father a successful CEO of a thriving company and my mother an artist and self-proclaimed healer who dreams of angels and paintbrushes.
My parents always supported my sister and I in two major areas: education and travel. I remember in high school convincing them that my school’s science trip to Equador would help me improve my science grades (they totally bought in to my story).
My love for seeing the world has taken me on a myriad of adventures including surfing in Costa Rica, dogsledding in Norway, Backpacking in Thailand, Meditating in Bali and various other rich and self defining experiences.
After finishing my undergraduate degree I was given the opportunity to study law in Australia. I had never really wanted to be a lawyer but I had ALWAYS wanted to learn how to surf, live on the coast and visit Australia. Having the responsibilities of completing a law degree did not seem too daunting when paired with the idea of a three year of adventures in a foreign land.
My professional gypsy days began once setting my feet down under. Being so far away from home had the most surprising effect for me – I started deeply exploring who I really was. Every moment spent outside of the law school was spent in exploration. One day I was a painter, the next day a photographer. I could be a writer by day and a yogi by night. Living on the other side of the world helped me connect with myself and commit to being authentic with who I really am.
After finishing school in Australia – managing to bring home a law degree amongst my jam packed photo album of hikes, day trips, epiphanies, surf adventures, music festivals and memories – I made a two month pit stop in Indonesia where I began crafting mala beads. This was absolutely, positively never in “the plan” but as life goes – when we Gypsy Girls align with our heart the universe tends to throw amazing and otherwise unbelievable opportunities our way. When we live inspired lives, we are given only support to continue inspiring those around us.
Mala beads are meditation necklaces that have been worn for thousands of years in some form in nearly every tradition. However, for me mala beads are also about following your dreams and being a true Gypsy Girl, whether you are on the road or in the office, as long as you are living an intention based life.
Today Tiny Devotions is offering a special mala giveaway! “Like” Tiny Devotions on Facebook or “follow” @tinydevotions on Twitter, and comment under this post by Sunday 2/6 11pm PST, telling us which is your favorite mala, to be in the run to win a mala with the intention of your choice.
Thanks for sharing this Gypsies! xx
Ooh, I love the Black Onyx Mala. It’s a gorgeous necklace. Plus I could use a little assistance in mastering my destiny and making wiser decisions.
the Turquoise Ocean one is beautiful.
I love the White Jade Highest Potential Mala. Aiding in emotional balance – grounding and healing the heart sounds great to me right now. Over 40 and getting a divorce, I find that I am becoming a whole new person and I could use all the help I can get.
What is name of the song in the video and who sings it? It is lovely.
The Lucky Jade Mala stole my eyes from the beginning, but I’ve been adoring the White Jade Mala “for Highest Potential” lately for it’s healing energy! Can’t wait to see and learn about the new stones. Much love :)
I love the Turquoise Ocean mala bead necklace – gorgeous! The video is lovely as well
My favorite mala is the ocean turquiose . Being both a gypsy & a yogini, I go will the flow of life, sailing along on the breath to the heart’s true center of LOVE for all. namaste MJ
see my facebook page for shat ring with my little gypsy princess/ yogini-in-training, grand-daughter.
the rose quartz mala is my fave! so pretty and activates the heart chakra too! :)
I like the onyx mala. Such a nice one for grounding the mind in meditation.
Kim: the musician is Dylan Murray and the song is “So Far From the Earth”
love this post and love your mala beads… particularly, the amazonite one.
hello! lovely site. :) i “like” and follow Tiny Devotions and am now commenting. my fave mala is the Kiwi Jasper. xoxox.
they are all gorgeous but I really love the bluboho Mala of Intuition and Dreams. wow. this year my focus is on trust. especially trusting myself. this supports that beautifully.
My favorite mala is the Sunstone Mala for both it’s beauty and its uses,It’s like someones personal piece of sunshine. Which means a great deal when winters short days are very difficult. I miss the sunshine and it often leaves me drained.
Also your post is so inspiring to me. I am getting ready to graduate college and looking forward to taking time to find my path.
like the onyx mala, nice one love to have it=)
I like the bluboho Mala of Intuition and Dreams. I can use all the properites that lapis lazuli and moonstone has to offer. Lapis will strengthen my awareness and creativity. Moonstone is the stone of goddesses. And every woman is a goddess.
I “liked” Tiny Devotions on Facebook.
The Sunstone Mala calls to crystal clear thoughts like the air uptop a snowy mountain-Everest or even Annapurna perhaps? A long hike along a well worn path through the Himalayas..a walking meditation.
Oh, they’re all so beautiful! I think my favorite is the turquoise colored Howlite mala. And I just happen to be trying to figure out what I want out of my life these days! Thanks for the post, it was a nice shot of inspiration on this rainy, gray day.
I didn’t know about malas before, but these are beautiful! My favourite is the African Jade mala. I’m following you now on Twitter and about to go and investigate your site further. :)
welcome to the tribe! it’s awesome to have you here. and what beauty you create – wow! i think i love them all…
i would love for someone else to receive one of your malas, so i’m not going to tell you which one i love the most, but i’m off to find you on twitter.
I love the African Turquoise mala. It seems like a wonderfully complex, yet balanced stone. Exactly what I need for my life :)
Wow, how inspiring to travel.
I *heart* the surfer mala. Beautiful.
What I loved most about the video was watching that lovely woman bike ride slowly down the lane. I thought about how long it’s been since I’ve felt that way – letting the breeze move through my hair, feeling at peace in the sunshine. I haven’t done yoga in almost 3 years, and seeing her stretch up to the sky on that rock choked me up.
I clicked on the beautiful malas out of curiosity. They are all gorgeous and I would wear the rose quartz self love one with pride. Whether or not I get one, thank you for reminding me where I need to go. :)
This post has really inspired me to follow my dream of teaching English overseas in the future. The benefits of living in another country which you list here are exactly the reason I am so driven towards this idea, despite my fears.
My favourite mala is definitely the White Jade Highest Potential. It sums up everything I need a little help with now and then: keeping my eyes on my goals, working hard enough to achieve them, and staying happy and grounded throughout the process, rather than giving in to stress and anxiety. Plus on a material note, the colours are ever so pretty! :)
The video is so beautiful! Well, not just the video, everything about this post is beautiful to me! :) My favorite has to be the Lucky Jade Mala. It says in the description that the jade is known as the dream stone and can provide insightful dreams; that it attracts good luck and friendship – this all appeals to me…. especially the dream part.
I love the African Jade mala! I could use some help protecting my essence against the onslaught of humanity I have chosen to serve in my professional life. I chose to serve for a reason, but I sometimes I also need to protect and nourish my own being first.
these are beautiful. my favorite mala is the citrine sunshine mala — the energy of the sun — how wonderful!
okay, i just want to jump into that video! love love! beautiful pieces and a beautiful soul!
I’ve followed you on twitter – gladly!
My fav. is the bluboho Mala of Intuition and Dreams.
Stunning!
Hi Tiny Devotions!
My favorite Mala Is the Citron Sunshine Mala. Being born in Southern California and having such a strong connection to the energy of the sun I love this mala! Now residing here in London, Ontaro I would love to wear this mala for that everyday reminder that we are all filled with that abundant light and it surrounds us always. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti…..Peace&Love, Sabra
These are lovely! I love them all – I think Citrine Sunshine is my fave though. I follow on twitter @namaste_heather and fanned you on Facebook! Fabulous :-)) Happy Giveaway-ing!
Beautiful! Lovely to meet you Diana, welcome to the Gypsy Girl’s Guide tribe. I love your malas, they are gorgeous. I’m not going to name the one that I was most drawn to because I’m sure someone else needs the mala more than me. But they really are all beautiful! I look forward to reading more from you Diana!
Turquoise, is most usually what i would go for , but I love the citrine. I want to carry the sunshine around with me xxx
I love them all but most especially the white jade mala that will help me achieve my highest potential. I know that I am here to help heal and repair the world. Everyday I pray that the work I do and the conversations I engage in serve and promote healing of communities.
the amethyst mala! perfect for my upcoming bday as it’s my birthstone :) and who couldn’t use a little help cultivating tranquility, peace and calmness? but of course they are all beautiful!
Such an interesting story! I love it! I also love the Amazonite Mala. Beautiful work! :)
i am loving all of this. i have now found a new “feel good” site to visit on facebook and twitter! i so love the White Jade Highest Potential Mala but i kinda dig the surfer “healer” too. so much goodness. thank you for showing it all off.
peace.
Oh, just lovely. Favorite is Rose Quartz … my intention in 2011 is to keep my heart open so this one is just *perfect*. Blessings and peace +michele
Love the African Turquoise Mala! So gorgeous! :)
I liked and followed via Facebook and Twitter.
Sending out positive energy for this contest!
I am in LOVE with the Rose Quartz mala. One word: Wow!
Following via Twitter.
Namaste,
Judy
The Citrine Sunshine mala is absolutely ohm-azing! Gorgeous work, and a beautiful designer behind the label!
Following Tiny Devotions and Gypsy Girl’s Guide on Facebook/Twitter. Lovely to make your acquaintance.
Love Nina
What a beautiful adventure of a live you have been so blessed to live!
You are very lucky.
My fav is the one with orange beads and the big teal looking stone.
They are all so pretty it was hard to choose
I think the one you are wearing in the video is the same one i like
I like the ocean turquiose the best. I just found your website and am looking forward to reading it. Also “liked” you on facebook!!!
You are all amazing. Thank you all for your beyond buddhaful comments! xx
Hi everyone! These were such wonderful responses! We will announce the winner of the giveaway in tomorrow’s post! :)
my favorite malas are the african jade! i think i may be too late for the contest, but i love them anyway. when i receive my financial aid (a.k.a. money so my bank account is no longer negative!) i will buy some asap.
thank you for sharing :)
beautiful post and welcome to you Diana! Your work is stupendously beautiful, so glad you’ll be joining us here!
Wow, your truely amazing love youre designs!
I love the black onyx and the amethyst malas!
Following TinyDevotions on FB and Twitter :-)
following on twitter now – what a lovely give-away. thx for the opportunity. i love the Turquoise Ocean Mala – it speaks to me on many levels. grazie molto!
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