Living in Hawaii does not exempt us islanders from getting caught up in everyday reality. While island life does its best to distract us from our responsibilities and commitments, we can still get sucked into the grind and hustle. People work hard to make this simple life work. It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. The busier I find myself juggling jobs, relationships, and my own self development, my sacred time with nature begins to suffer.
views from “work”- not too shabby
It’s deceiving. As I walk outside my front door, nature is already surrounding me. I can see the ocean from my house. I look back and Palolo Valley reaches deep and high to the Ko’olau Mountain Ranges. I notice it, but I’m distracted. Driving into town, I will pass mango-tree lined streets, I see Diamond Head distinct in the distance, and plumeria flowers scattered on the sidewalks. But I take advantage of it. My eyes take it in, and then the distractions in my mind take over.
An extra bathing suit has a home in the back of my disheveled car and has been clutch when I can steal a few minutes in between commitments to jump in the water at Kaimanas. But even that feels like a shallow connection. Yes I was able to get my “fix” of Ocean time which always makes me feel better. But again, my mind was not focused on the sea and it’s restorative energy. Physically, I got sandy and salty. Mentally, my mind was with my damn phone checking e-mails, sending texts, and making appointments.
Time to disconnect to connect. Meaning PHONE OFF (or at least on airplane mode so I could still take pictures ;)) Yesterday my roomie, pup Reeces and I decided to hike Wa’ahila Ridge up St. Louis Heights. The deeper or higher I get into a hike, the farther away “reality” seems. I reach a place where time doesn’t matter and agenda’s don’t exist. I’m not thinking about the past and not planning for the future. I’m in the here and the now, the most beautiful and authentic location to reside.
Do yourself a favor and get out into nature this weekend. Turn your phone off, leave the laptop shut and get on a trail. Live somewhere with no trail in site? Go to a garden, lake, river, park, ocean, anything. REALLY tune into the beauty of creation. Meditate in it. Let it nourish your essence. You’ll end the day feeling more connected than ever.
Happy Aloha Friday and have a beautiful weekend! xo
