Humility Always Pays Off

Today was a day of somewhat extreme pain mixed with the acknowledgement that my pain turned into something good.  So, you see; what I did was go to see the physical therapist, otherwise known as "THE PT".   At first, this particular physical therapist, seemed to be a little bit like Hitler; but this Hitler has remarkably lovely bluish green eyes.  (I just love looking at people's eyes, even if they are extraordinarily difficult to deal with)  Oh, I guess Hitler was kind of hard to deal with too!  HA HA  :)

In any case, I completed 3 weeks with this gal and I feel like I have accomplished GREAT things with her.  In fact, in the end she turned out to be a "softy" in a way and I was able to give her a big hug.  At that point she told me that she was pregnant with her first child.  I think about how much I would have missed had I given up and told her to get lost those three weeks ago.  One thing I learned is that humility always pays off.

It's My Birthday

You Say It's Your Birthday!  (da, da, da, da, da, da, da, duh)

It's My Birthday Too, Yeah!  (da, da, da, da, da, da, da, duh)

And, what a fine birthday it is going to be.  I have beautiful friends around me, one of them my friend and my mentor, my coach and my person who I am continually amazed by.  There is so much more I can say about Estee, but leave it at this, that I love her and I love her communication with me and along side me.    :)

My long time and wonderful friend Lotus Flower is coming for my birthday over the long weekend.  We have known each other through helicopter accidents and so very much more.  To say that she is dear to me is minimizing the awesomeness of the friendship that we now hold so dear.   I am *delighted* and excited to see her; and so flattered that she would fly to see me, her Lilikoi.

Lanai, And All It Has to Offer

Lanai is one of my favorite islands because it boasts of many of my personal favorite things to do in Hawaii; namely, the incredible snorkeling, scuba diving and astounding beaches.   Also the incredible views of the spinner dolphins doing their thing. (spinning)  It's just a fun site to see!

The resorts on Lanai are fabulous.  They are the Manele Bay and Koele Lodge; which offer two totally different experiences.  The Lodge is like a country manor; set amidst lovely hawaiian landscaping.  Manele Bay is truly a combination of paradise and beach.

I have often heard of Bill Gates being sited enjoying all that Lanai has to offer.  And, it's no surprise; as in my opinion, Lanai is one of the most private and serene of the islands.

Also there are two championship golf courses that would entice even the most experienced of players.

Ultimately, what Lanai is to me is nearly perfection.  It is perfect in it's astounding beauty.  When I close my eyes, just the thought of the views take my breath away. 

My memories of Lanai go far and wide in their ability to take me to the most lovely of all paradises.  It is "da bess"  (as Hawaiians would colloquially say) meaning THE BEST.

Molokai; The Friendly Isle

Molokai, known as the "Friendly Isle" is one of the least developed islands in the Hawaiian chain.   It is the island where Father Damien was laid to rest after he came down with the horrific disease known commonly as leprosy or Hansen's disease.    He gave his life to the people of Molokai and is heralded as one of the greatest and most unselfish men of his time.  

Probably the most interesting and beautiful, yet difficult thing to do on Molokai is to visit Kalaupapa Peninsula; which is where Father Damien had his mission.   What makes it difficult is its lack of accessibility.  You can only get there by mule or airplane. I have only visited by airplane and I do recommend this trip. 

Exploring Maui's Outer Islands

Did you know that there are additional islands around Maui that are absolutely gorgeous?  And, you can get to most of them via a boat ride.  I recommend that you take notes, because if you don't know about these islands at this point; then I have some really neat information for you to jot down.

Firstly, there are a few islands you may not have heard about yet.  The first one on this list is the island of Kaho'olawe  (p.s. the w sounds like a v) It is a remarkable island in that it boasts of the name "The Target Island,"that is because it used to be occupied by the U.S. Government.  There also used to be a lot of what looked like fireworks coming from Kaho'olawe, but it was not fireworks at all; it was the exploding land mines.  

Today, what is on Kaho'olawe are what I jokingly refer to as a lot of paranoid goats. I've never seen the goats, but I've been told that they exist.  Throughout time I have had friends that have spoken about them.  My son did a humanitarian day with his college, where they did a big clean up of the island.   According to Wikipedia - access to Kaho'olawe requires escort and careful attention within areas know to contain unexploded ordnance.  I do NOT recommend that you go there.  It is best viewed at a distance.  

Instead of going to Kaho'olawe, you can go to the very popular Molokini.  Molokini is a very beautiful and interesting snorkeling destination.  It is interesting because it is in the shape of the crescent moon and you can go there via several different carriers depending on how much you want to spend and how long of a trip you want to go on. It is best to go with your family or at least as a couple.  Most think it is well worth the cost of the trip.

Stay tuned for my next blog, for more gorgeous travel destinations; including the incredible island of Molokai, also known as "The Friendly Isle".

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

If I coulda, woulda, shoulda; That's what folks always say...

Have any of you out there heard that old and luscious song that Lou Rawls sang a few years back?  Well, I'm here to tell you that it is one of the most profound messages that I can think of to speak about in this blog.

What I think Lou is saying is; if I woulda or if I coulda or ultimately, I shoulda done this thing that I was going to do, than maybe my life would have turned out differently.  

Have there not been times in your life when you just thought, "Gosh, I should have gone to the store before the hurricane hit."  Or, "If I would have just been ten pounds thinner, he would have loved me more."  Or maybe, "If I could have just invested a little more wisely; then I..."

The meaning of this song, I believe; speaks of how we all at some time or other feel like we've made a mistake and could have or should have done something differently so as to have an outcome that would have been far greater than what it turned out to be.  

I know for me, that I have said those words many times, although not so much recently.  Honestly, that song changed my way of thinking in such a big way and I am grateful to that wonderful song writer for choosing those words that helped me to expand my horizons and understand that the way I speak needs to be very well thought out  because what you say may very well become reality if you're not careful.

Ultimately what I believe this is about, is living without regrets.  We must try not to regret a single thing that we do and instead, trust ourselves that it is okay to do, to be and to have those things we create; as those things ultimately become weaved into our life and enrich us, so that we can be who we need to be.

Another thought comes to my mind about my very own mother.  She is forever repeating that she should have done something differently and gets extremely irritated with herself, thus creating an unhappy atmosphere for her to have to live within.   She has lived for eighty-seven beautiful and happy years.  In my estimation she only has reason to click her heels in joy for her tremendous fortune, due to her long and beautiful life.

P.S.  Congratulations Mom, for you have been incredibly blessed.  

Happy Birthday.

Self Worth

As I contemplate today's blog; there are so many words in my head that continue to scroll by.  These words are all about self worth; my own, yours, his, hers, every body's.  

Self worth is very necessary.  It is an intrinsic part of who we are.   At times, we all fail to recognize our self worth.   Sometimes we may wonder if we have any worth or value at all.   And, if we do have worth, what is it?  At this moment I have been struggling with discovering my own value and my own self worth.

I have had an incredibly difficult time today. (and in fact, not just today) but I've had such a difficult time today because painful words were used by one of my dearest loved ones.  I cannot comprehend how any child of mine whom I have loved so tenderly and deeply all of his life could turn around and verbally devalue me so as to strike me from my innermost core through to my very soul.  How could you my son strike me so thoroughly and completely?

As I must answer my own questions, I realize that the answer obviously lies within me. The answer to the question is that God has made him to be this incredibly wonderful man/child and it is my duty to teach him and let him fly free to his own destination; whatever he chooses it to be.  What I can do is Love him, Love him, Love him and let him know that he is accepted regardless of what pain I might feel from his words.

-But getting back to my original thoughts which are about self worth.

I know I need to remember my self worth in this time, in this hour, in this day.   Just like the trees and the stars; God gave me the right to be here.

I also need to realize that no one can take my worth away.  It is mine.