Archive for October, 2009

Everyone has experienced troubling circumstances one way or another, yet it’s how we respond to the challenges that determine if it will have a negative impact or not. The troubles you face only have the power to bring you down if you allow it. Make the most of a positive mindset and remember that you are in control. Step away from the past and begin a new journey.

The Aloha Spirit is well known throughout the Hawaiian Islands as a way of coordinating mind and heart with one another. Each person must think and display good feelings towards others. Once you live with Aloha, it will allow you to have a positive outlook on everything.

Decisions can always be tough to make. Some use logic, while others go with their “gut” feeling. Growing up, we were thought to use our head because its the voice of reason.

However, following your heart in doing something you love, no matter how difficult, will always lead to a happier life. The decision is yours. Success through monetary or personal value?

Our peace of mind does not depend on what we have or who we are, but upon our mental attitude. Hang in there and stay positive my friends…Mahalos.

A the end of the day, when you have absolutely nothing left, only something so natural and beautiful as a sunset can re-energize you for the next day.

Negative traits such as stress and worrying are like vampires. It sucks all the energy out of you to the point where life becomes dull and gloomy. Make it a priority to surround yourself with positive friends, colleagues, and family. Exchange ideas, support one another, and just “talk stories”…let the good times roll.

Mahalos!

Rewind the clock fifteen years ago. Do you remember what your goals, dreams, or even what you planned on making financially? Big mansion, super-model spouse, and retiring as a millionaire by the age of thirty-five. Well, if you’re like most people, things didn’t go the way it was planned.

I wanted to be a professional athlete, or in the career of sports medicine(every jock’s back-up plan), but quickly got a reality check soon after high school. Unfortunately, I wasn’t “good enough” both academically and athletically. Apparently you need to have good grades or god-given speed and strength to even qualify.

Still it didn’t matter because I could still become a millionaire…some how. Throughout the course of my life, I’ve tried every “Get Rich Quick” scheme there was, from tech stocks to flipping real-estate. Neither brought joy or happiness, but rather headaches and empty bank accounts.

What I’m trying to say is that life never goes as planned. If it did, we could all write our autobiographies in advance and never experience what the future holds. Sound boring? Of course. Its like someone ruining a movie or book by telling you what happens in the end.

Everything happens for a reason, nothing happens by chance or good luck. The people you meet affect your life. As mentioned in my previous blog, “Maukai Story”, I went from living in Hawaii to New Jersey. Culture shock, yes, but that is where I met my wife, and now we have an adorable son whom I can’t imagine being without.

We all go through ups and downs in our lives, but the experience creates who we are today. So quit trying to control everything and let whats suppose to happen…happen.

Hello Everyone, or should I say as we do in Kona, Hawaii….ALOOOHA! First of all, I would like to thank you for even reading this. And yes, I was born and raised there all my life, so I definitely know a thing or two about the Aloha Spirit. However, life wasn’t always filled with Aloha. Especially after high school, when I joined the military and got stationed, of all the places…New Jersey. Not that Jersey was a terrible place, but because I devoted most of my time to become “successful”.

Days were filled with working in the mornings and college at nights. After what seemed like forever, I finally finished my degree. The sky was the limit and visions of a Fortune 500 company offering me a position with a high salary seemed all too appealing. Well, I did get a position…but not the high salary. Either way things seemed to be perfect. New job, got married, and expecting our first boy. Naturally I wanted whats best for my family, so I began working a lot more, bought a house(fixer-upper), and focused on more school to gain a competitive edge.

This is were the problem started. Not that working hard or getting an advanced degree is bad, but the time with my family, as well as myself, was “non-existent”. My life consisted only of working, eating, and sleeping. It was miserable and I felt like a zombie everyday. Something had to change. My health was deteriorating both physically and mentally due to a lack of sleep, daily grinds of work, and finances.

I actually began feeling sorry for myself believing everything would be fine if I could just win the lottery. That’s it! Win the lottery….what I’m thinking? Then one day while driving, my mind began to reminisce about Hawaii. Care free days heading towards the beach or mountain side with friends and family doing nothing but relaxing, “talking stories”, and just enjoying one’s company. So simple yet the perfect remedy after a long week.

Then it just hit me. Why am I practically killing myself working day in and day out? Sounds cliche, but life is too short to be feeling this way. I’ve wasted too many irreplaceable hours trying get more and more when I need to be using this short time on what’s most important, friends and family. No more! Never again will I put them in second place.

The first thing I did was head towards the beach. I forgot how peaceful and serene the ocean was. Focused on having fun with the family and not worried about anything else. Not on work, research papers, or bills, just living in the present. Next week was the same routine, then the next, then after that for about a month. Worked throughout the weekday, and weekends were for the beach or mountainside with loved ones.

It’s been a little over year since I made that commitment and never have I felt better. Life isn’t just good, but great. Its exactly what I…correction,WE all need. As a symbol of living a better balanced life, I’ve created Maukai. A blending of two Hawaiian words mauka(towards mountains) and makai(towards the ocean) to remind us that its not all about money or one’s social status, but the simple things in life.

Life is too short, start enjoying the things and people around you!