My nomination: Encourager

My second nomination for the Encourager category is the amazing Karen Quiñones-Axalan. 

Karen made herself a steadfast place in my heart when she sent me a gentle but supportive response when I shared about the state of affairs in India after a terrible incident involving the abuse of a child broke news. I felt like I was at odds with myself, and felt that no amount of efforts we put in on ground would make a difference. And there she was, kind, kind Karen, offering reassuring thoughts in the way that only Karen can! What a generous and gentle human being, and how much love she has to give!

From that point on, Karen became a significant and important person in my World Pulse experience. She was there celebrating with me in my moments of joy, she was there helping me heal in my moments of despair, and she was there building an unshakeable safety net of encouragement that I knew, if I fell into, I would bounce back in no time, healed and whole. Karen has that effect on you: it is about giving love and generosity to the whole world, sowing one seed at a time.  

To me, Karen is, like dear Jill, the dictionary definition of encourager. If World Pulse created space for sisters to be encouragers, much like Jill, the universe made Karen that powerful personification of that very empowering emotion. Karen is giving, unconditional, generous, selfless, sensitive, and compassionate. Karen is truly invested in lifting up everyone around her, listens with empathy and without judgment, is incredibly trustworthy, and is passionate, beyond doubt, about making a difference. Hear me roar for Karen!