🌸 “Be Who You Are — That’s Your Superpower”

Auntea: Karen Samara☕

Topic: Staying grounded, trusting your gut, and defining love on your own terms

---

---

💌 Sugar Q: “Do the decisions I make in high school even matter?”

Auntea Karen keeps it real: yes, they do.

“Back in my day, the choices you made shaped your path — academic, vocational, or professional. And even now, what you explore in high school sets the tone for your future.”

So try things, sugar! Join that club, take that random art class, or run for student council. You don’t know what will spark something in you until you try.

💡 The Tea:

Every “little” choice helps build the woman you’re becoming. Don’t sleep on the small stuff.

---

🚫 Sugar Q: “Is it really that bad to try weed in high school?”

Karen didn’t hold back:

“No. Your mind is still developing. You don’t know where this stuff is coming from — it’s not like the old days. People add things to keep you coming back.”

And Auntie M added a gem too — smoking gives folks a reason to “engage” with you (read: harass you). So don’t hand anyone an excuse.

💡 The Tea:

Protect your peace and your brain. You don’t need smoke to be lit. 💅🏽

---

💫 Sugar Q: “Do you believe in God?”

Karen’s answer? Simple and honest.

“Yes. Things happen every day that I don’t control. Somehow, they work out. There’s definitely a higher being, and I call him God.”

Even if you’re still figuring out your faith, knowing what you believe helps you stay grounded when life gets messy.

💡 The Tea:

Faith isn’t about perfection — it’s about peace.

---

❤️ Sugar Q: “How do you know when someone really loves you?”

“First, you need to know your definition of love,” Auntea Karen said. “People see all kinds of things and call it love — but love isn’t pain.”

Simi chimed in too: Love is a verb. It’s what people do — not just what they say.

💡 The Tea:

If someone says they love you but treats you like you’re disposable, that’s not love. That’s confusion.

---

☀️ Sugar Q: “What do you do when life feels heavy?”

Auntea Karen’s go-tos:

🎶 Music.

😂 Laughter.

🧘🏾 Movement.

“Certain songs turn my whole mood around. I love comedy, I love yoga, and I move my body when I need to reset.”

💡 The Tea:

Joy is medicine — and it’s free.

---

📚 Sugar Q: “What book would you tell your younger self to read?”

“Acts of Faith by Iyanla Vanzant,” Karen said. “It’s short, but every page hits. You can read one piece a day and get something powerful from it.”

💡 The Tea:  

Sometimes, the right words find you exactly when you need them.

---

💖 Sugar Q: “If you could talk to your high school self…”

“I was skinny and teased for it — didn’t realize people were jealous. Twiggy came out, and suddenly my look was ‘in.’ So be who you are. Go with your gut. If it feels wrong, don’t do it. If it feels good — think on it, then move.”

💡 The Tea:  

Confidence starts when you stop asking for permission to be yourself.

---

💋 Simi’s Sip

Your light isn’t meant to blend in, sugar. It’s meant to shine — in every class, every choice, every breath.

Trust your gut. Stay true to your joy. Be who you are.

Not a lecture, just a sip of tea. ☕💖

---

💁🏽‍♀️ Meet the Auntea— Karen Pearson Samara

Karen Samara has been a High Tea Society volunteer since 2008 — mentoring girls, hosting holiday teas, and spreading wisdom wherever she goes. A Silver Spring local and lifelong connector, she’s passionate about helping young women trust their instincts, build community, and live with purpose.

✨ Follow the High Tea Society at @highteasocietyinc