Many of you have probably seen the trendy Lokai bracelets on various social media sites, and on TV when celebrities wear them for promotional gigs. But do you know the meaning behind these silicone beads?

Founder of Lokai, Steven Izen, posted his story on the website describing his logic behind the creation of these inspirational bands:

“Sometimes you’ve hit a low,
Stay Hopeful.
A few years ago, I found myself in a moment of sadness, for my grandfather who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The black bead of the lokai bracelet holds mud from the Dead Sea to represent this moment, when I felt at my lowest point.

Sometimes you’re on
top of the world,
Stay Humble.
Yet at the same time, I was struck by a feeling of immense gratitude for where I was in my life. The white bead of the Lokai bracelet carries water from Mount Everest to represent this moment, when I felt like I was on top of the world.

...Life is full of joy and sadness, and we can all relate to its highs and lows. I hope that Lokai will remind you to stay balanced and centered along your journey.”

(http://mylokai.com/our-story)

The Black Bead: holding mud from the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

The White Bead: holding water from Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth.

Skeptics have been proven wrong when doubting that these beads actually hold the mud and water that the company philosophy is based upon.

Izen has created a company that sets out to do far more than just create a fashionable new addition to one’s wrist. Lokai supports many charities including: Charity Buddies, charity: water, Pencils of Promise, American Himalayan Foundation, Kind Campaign, among more.

(Special Edition Lokai bracelet for charity: water, $3 of every one sold went to the foundation)

Lokai has also created special editions of the original bracelet, in which part of the proceeds directly benefit another organization.

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
http://www.worldwildlife.org/
“Through this collaboration, we were able to raise more than $250,000 for our global conservation efforts, which helped to support our ongoing work in more than 100 countries around the world.”

Sheri Turnbow, Director of Private Sector Engagement

SUSAN G. KOMEN
http://ww5.komen.org/lokai/
“The $856,000 contributed to Komen through Lokai’s sale of its limited edition pink Lokai as well as its support of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure helps us to invest in lifesaving breast cancer research and programs that assist millions facing, or living with, a breast cancer diagnosis,” said Komen President and CEO Dr. Judith A. Salerno. “We are grateful always to partner with companies like Lokai that give back to their communities.”

SAVE THE CHILDREN
http://www.savethechildren.org
“We are enormously grateful to all the fans who added the limited-edition red Lokai bracelet to their holiday gift list. The success of the promotion exceeded our expectations. The funds raised will go a long way toward helping to build a better and brighter future for children in need,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
http://www.alz.org/

Lokai was built on the memory of Founder Steven Izen's grandfather. In 2009, “Papa” was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Lokai donates to the Alzheimer’s Association in order to accelerate the pace of research toward a cure for this devastating disease.

MAKE-A-WISH
http://www.wish.org

The limited-edition Neon Lokai symbolizes how powerful we believe a wish-come-true can be. When a wish is made, it sparks hope. And when that wish is granted, it has the potential to change the life of an individual and impact those around them. Your purchase of the limited-edition Neon Lokai will help Make-A-Wish come closer to achieving their ultimate vision-making every eligible child's wish come true.

OCEANA
http://oceana.org/

Oceans cover 71% of the globe, and they are as important to us as they are vast. Our oceans are home to most of the life on our planet and play a central role in the world's natural systems, like regulating our climate and absorbing carbon dioxide. They provide livelihoods to countless fishermen and have the capacity to feed a billion people, every day. Unfortunately, the oceans are in trouble — scientists report that the amount of fish caught from the oceans began declining — for the first time in recorded history — just a few decades ago. Sharks populations in particular have seen a sharp decline due to commercial fishing and finning.

Aside from the chic look and appeal of these bracelets, they stand for far more. For the founder, it was his daily reminder to stay balanced. You will have your lowest of lows, and your highest of highs in life, but do not forget the other while experiencing one. Life is about finding your balance and finding your place in this world.

Wearing your Lokai bracelet is your daily reminder, and a message to others: that you refuse to settle. You will push past the lows in order to reach the highs. You will be grounded even when feeling on top of the world. A lot can change in a year, and by wearing this small token, it stands as a constant that things will always work themselves out. Life is a mixture of purposeful decisions and accidental outcomes to create a beautiful story that is unique to only you. Your lokai will experience all of these adventures with you- good and bad. Wear it every day and know that it will keep you hopeful and it will keep you humble.

By having some of the limited edition ones that support various charities, it stands as an even bigger reminder that there are issues in this world that we cannot control. You can not prevent it from happening, but you can change how it affects your daily life.

Stay Hopeful, Stay Humble, Live Lokai.

http://mylokai.com/

https://www.instagram.com/livelokai/