Guest Blog : On Disco Beads, Love and Mission

 Hearty greetings from Marion, Illinois, USA. I am no philosopher or poet. Rather, I am just an ordinary woman, plugging away in life and striving to live in gratitude.

Still, on the topic of Love, I proffer two quotes that I embrace with all of my heart:

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business, and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” – Thomas Merton.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As members of your Parliament say: “Hear! Hear!” As many Americans in the heartland say: “Amen and amen!”

It is the philosophical as well as day-to-day importance of Love in my life that, digitally, brought me across the world to my now-friends at Disco Beads.

In February 2018, my husband Dennis and I traveled from downstate Illinois to the Dominican Republic for a week to bask in the infinity of sea, sky, and sun. The day after our arrival, we met Mel and Char, two sisters from Winchester, Hampshire. It was instant connection among the four of us.

That day and every day, Mel wore lots and lots of Disco Beads jewelry, and I was instantly obsessed. I do not exaggerate: I was so distracted by the shiny color and attendant Love message of her Disco Beads that I could barely compute what she said when she spoke to me. A day after we met, Mel gifted me with my first bracelet, and when it was time for Dennis and me to depart for home, Mel gave me even more Disco Beads jewelry.

I am so thankful for Mel and her introducing me to Disco Beads because, at that time, I was searching for — what? — a purpose, a message, a ministry that was Love-centric.

For me, my mission to find a just-right way to infuse positive energy and Love into the world, even in an admittedly small way, was all the more vital in Donald Trump’s America, which is, in my view, a terrible time of government-sanctioned Us-vs.-Them divisiveness, intolerance of “other,” and intentional meanness.

To me, Disco Beads — both its products and spread-the-love corporate philosophy — totally align to what I believe. They are an affordable, unique, eye-grabbing way that I can communicate the values that I stake my life on: Hope, Community, Compassion, Acceptance, Encouragement, Kindness, Respect, Happiness, and, above all, LOVE.

And, so, each day as I prepare to enter my world, I slip on several bracelets and restock my bag with some back-ups. When people — family, friends, colleagues, even complete strangers — ask me about my bracelets, I explain where they are from and what they represent. I then take one off and give it to them just as Mel gifted me my first Disco Beads.

As I do so, I make one request: That when they look at their bracelet, that they be reminded that there is goodness and Love in the world — even when they don’t feel it — and, in turn, to share that message with others.

To date, I have purchased and given out hundreds of Disco Beads bracelets and necklaces, including to homeless persons, moms in crisis, inquisitive little girls, gas station attendants, waitresses, saleswomen at a Times Square shop — most all are complete strangers who just happen to notice the vibrant jewelry that I wear omnipresently.

Ah! I can tell you that my small offerings to people bring me unquantifiable satisfaction and joy. It’s not unusual that someone will approach me, present their Disco Beads adorned wrist, and thank me.

I am so grateful to my darling Mel and the founders and staff of Disco Beads. Unbeknownst to them, they have provided me a means of sharing my message with others: “I see you, I hear you, I offer you Love.”

I began with two lofty quotes. Now, let me end with another less highbrow quote:

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of What the world needs now is love, sweet love No not just for some but for everyone"

‒ Jackie De Shannon (1965)

Hear, hear and amen!

Mary Beth Berger Long

Marion, Illinois, USA

If you would like to share with us what Disco Beads means to you we would love to hear from you so  get in touch!