Karen Elsea Salum - Founder of Healing Heart Bears
“Shifting Perspectives to Find Joy”
my mission
My hope is to shift perspectives and help people find Joy when going through difficult times. My goal is to create a safe space for conversations about stress, grieving, death and dying. By sharing our stories, we not only help ourselves but also help others.
I learned at an early age what it feels like to suffer loss in my immediate family. Unfortunately, I lost an uncle in his 30’s and my brother at 40 years old. These losses were devastating and started me on my path to better understand death and the grieving process.
In college I enrolled in a “Death Education” course. I had just lost my uncle so I was searching for answers. My professor was Dr. Ed Stefan, and he was pivotal on shifting my perspective on the dying process. He once said, “Clap your hands, and we change the whole universe. We are all interrelated with everything else.” He became my inspiration to explore how I could better understand my grief and at the same time help others.
After her brother died, my Mom was volunteering with Hospice and became a Reiki Master (one of the first to be certified n the U.S.). She also was my “Guiding Light” on this journey! My sister, Ann, and I followed in her Reiki footsteps, and I obtained my Reiki Master certification. We shared books, videos, and other resources on healing and grief. The “Library of Linda” was inspired by her passion for researching and reading on these topics. When my brother, Kent, died suddenly we intensified our search for understanding. Their was no limit to our learning! We explored topics from humor and healing to Mediumship. My Dad used to say, “Everything happens for a reason.” We don’t always know the reason! His point was proven when, unexpectedly, he died at 71 years old. Our search for meaning and understanding intensified from experiencing yet another loss. Mom taught us “When the car (your body) is no longer working, the driver (your soul) leaves the car but still exists.” We frequently saw signs that this was true, and they were still with us!
After years of working in corporate America, I decided to follow my heart and work in the complimentary medicine field. I was the Office Manager and Reiki Practitioner for two separate Acupuncture practices in Davidson and Cornelius, NC. The Acupuncturists I worked with appreciated my Reiki talents, especially with grieving clients, and encouraged me to work with those who lost loved ones. Because I knew what it was like to be in their shoes, I was able to develop a rapport with them and encourage conversations about their loss that enabled a safe space for healing. Our giggle in the office was that “I was sponsored by Kleenex” because many clients were able to cry and release tears to create more room for joy and healing. I left the practice in Davidson after my Mom in Ohio died to take some time for my own healing.
When Covid-19 hit, a close pediatrician friend (who knew my special Reiki talents) told me that I was needed more than ever now because of the number of grieving children and adults. I could really make a difference if I explore options to educate and have conversations with families. Thus, Healing Heart Bears was born! We could “Heal Broken Hearts One Bear at a Time” and open the door to create a safe space for healing.
The idea became reality when a very dear friend (who was one of my first Reiki clients) said she would love to make a donation to purchase my first Healing Heart Bears. She lost her husband at a young age and completely understood the importance of the bear project. She went through her healing process and found the joy again…..she continues to share that joy with others!
I am forever grateful to my husband, Carlos, for his love and support of Healing Heart Bears! He provides continues encouragement, expertise, and critical computer skills to create my website. Also, for his understanding as we share the house with two cats and a whole bunch of bears!!!
Healing Heart Bears are ready to find their new homes and start the healing!
a life of love and light
A note from Carlos Salum…..
Karen is an accomplished, charismatic leader with a passion to inspire others to shift their perspective and engage with their positive emotions and joy to heal.
I met Karen during her corporate career that extended from 1987 to 2000. She managed the daily operations of world-renowned experts Dr. James Loehr, Dr. Jack Groppel and Pat Etcheberry -- three of the leading sport scientists in professional tennis.
Her skills in dealing with manufacturers, media, vendors and VIP's qualified her as a Customer Service "Star." Some of the VIP's were top performers in the areas of business, health, sports and the arts.
As a Director of Executive Group Sales for Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, FL, she dealt with executives of Fortune 500 companies and assisted them with critical details for conducting successful meetings and conferences.
Karen developed important aspects of dealing with large organizations when she worked for Marathon Oil Company, O.H. Materials and in the Public Relations Office at the University of Findlay in Ohio.
Karen is an advocate for inclusion, fairness and justice. She seeks to create harmony in every environment she inhabits. Her mission for Healing Heart Bears brings love and light to every encounter. She’s fully engaged in her project because she knows from experience that we can interpret loss and pain to find joy again. There’s power in doing so - and there’s an opportunity to make a contribution to others.
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Carlos Salum, is the founder of Salum International Resources, Inc., a leadership performance strategies consultancy with international clients in multinational corporations and professional sports. They currently live in Huntersville, NC with their two cats, Bellini and Sprungli BonBon.