Case in point, once at military basic training we were having a “rough” early morning. Nothing was going right or getting accomplished…well, according to our Drill Instructor (DI) that is. The morale and attitudes had reached rock bottom, making graduation day seem impossible. Our DI was so upset, he kicked us out of the building until he decided what to do with us.

While standing at attention, there was the most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever seen. Actually, I’ve probably seen a dozen like this, but never took the time to really appreciate it. Of course anything other than getting yelled at was better, but that very sight brought a quick sense of peace and rejuvenation not only to me, but to the rest of my fellow “maggots”(you’re a not actual person til after graduation).

Needless to say, it was back to reality when the DI came back and figured the solution was more yelling. However, from that point on we began performing better. Credit may be due to his “motivation speech”, but I believe that short time focusing solely on the beauty of the sunrise excluding all distractions, worry, and stress may have been the answer.

The funny thing is that everyday life is just like basic training. We get so consumed with worry and stress, that we forget how to enjoy or appreciate life. The next time you get up for work or school, take a second to enjoy something as simple as a sunrise.

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!