Karen Kurchyne, Peace Gardener: Cultivating the Beauty in You

02/05/2026

If a stranger walked up to you on a sidewalk and called you an idiot, you’d be confused, perhaps angry but you’d walk away wondering what their issue is. Placing the responsibility on them while walking away not owning their label of you.

Social media = same.

Distance, wonder about them if you feel you really need to, and drop their labels where they left them.
They are playing hot potato. Trying to pass along something they received. You don’t have to be “it”.

Drop it like it’s hot!

02/04/2026

02/02/2026

In this beautiful morning, snow is being lightly blown from the upper branches of the Spruce. As it falls, the sun illuminates it just perfectly so that it looks like tiny sparkling glitter gliding down from above.

Pure magic is just outside the window.

Do go see it.

02/01/2026

When considering what you’re grateful for, go beyond a brief bullet list. Mindfully travel through why you are grateful for each one.

If you are grateful for someone, what is it that makes you feel that about them.

Dive into the depths of your gratitude. That’s what reminds of how very much you have and etches it in your heart to come back to time and time again.

Sunday Gratitude journaling is the gift that keeps on giving.

01/30/2026

Just a follow up to yesterday’s post. A little long but please listen through.

Sending much Peace.

01/29/2026

Take a breath before listening to this one. And take a few good ones after too. Blessings ❤️

01/28/2026

Yesterday I shared some grief resources for this area. Yet I have clients across the US and globe. If you know of a grief group or resource in your area or that is accessible locally to you or globally, please post it in the comments. This includes books, podcasts, and websites with info. And also any that you know here in Rochester, NY that weren’t listed. There may be others near you that are looking for some understanding in their loss.

Thank you for helping others. ❤️

01/27/2026

A very kind client shared with me this list of grief groups and resources here in Rochester, NY. And I’ve been meaning to share it with all of you. I added one as well at the bottom.

Sometimes you really need to know and speak with someone who is understanding your loss right now.

May this benefit you and help you find some kind of Peace in the ache. And many thanks to that kind client! 🙏🏻

Grief Groups Rochester:
​
We have many reading resources available on our
website and on the Center for Loss website:
bartolomeo.com/grief-healing-help/
Center for Loss & Life Transition

RRH/Lifetime Care's Grief Support Group listing:
https://www.hhuny.org/HHUNY/media/PortalIcons/Lifetime-Care-Bereavement-Group-List.pdf

https://goodgriefrochester.com/services/

Local Grief Groups:
Griefshare.org
URMC Bereavement Groups
Rochester Regional Bereavement Groups


Book Resources:
Center for Loss Books on Grief


For therapy help, we recommend:
1081 Long Pond Rd #100, Rochester, NY 14626
(585) 371-6464
info@GaviaLifeCare.com
www.gavialifecarecenter.com
Gavia Group Support

See photo for dates from the institute’s newsletter:
https://gandhiinstitute.org/?s=Grief

01/26/2026

I had a moment of hopelessness this weekend. Feeling how angry and desperate our humanity is. But if we have a life to live and see what’s going on, we have a chance to participate in it being better. We have the will to see and do better. So for all those that no longer do, we need to choose to be the change. We’ve been shown by many great, great men and women in history that we can be the change. Public figures and also beloved ones in our personal lives that chose to be that change for us all and for us in our families, blood and chosen.
We simply need to stand, speak loud, and move to connect to those in power and those in our communities to do better, be better, change to better. We’re not hopeless if we can first believe in ourselves to be strong and act civilly for our humanity. I see a different end to this year than this beginning. And I’d forgotten for a moment that I can be a part in that change. And there lies hope. This is your reminder if you’ve forgotten too.

Stand tall even on shaky legs. And don’t give up on us all. I’m not.

Blessings of Peace, and so much better.

01/25/2026

Grateful to be alive today. Mindful of how very precious and blessed that is. 🙏🏻