Yesterday, my mom dropped off turkey jook (turkey and rice soup) at my home. I’m super grateful for the thoughtfulness of my mom. I love her! Today, my energy is low, and I’m feeling mentally down even though I received good news early this morning on one of my projects, got a nice email from a new friend and potential business partner, and glad for a couple of decisions I made on two stocks. Yet, I feel down. Strange how we can have these mixed emotions. Thus, my mom’s soup really gave me some comfort today. I will attempt to do some work tonight to lift my spirit! May peace be with you, and cheers to all of your moms for all they do for you!
Anything is possible when you have dragons!!! Let’s keep attacking our goals like a dragon on fire!!! Oh, and a nice lover to share the experiences with, would be a bonus. 😍
On that early evening, I waited by the small, shallow pond in the middle of the large field like we planned a year ago. It was dark. The clouds blacked out all of the stars above. Anxious, I began to pull at the tall blades of wild grass. Did she forget about me? Had she really moved on? In a bitter argument sometime after our promise, I was blocked out of her life. If she had wanted to reconcile with me, she would have contacted me. I was beyond wishing. Instead, I was living in a fantasy.
I waited for about an hour and gave up. Rather than heading back home, I kicked off my shoes, took off my socks, and rolled up my pants to just below my knees. I entered the pond, in an attempt to make the most of my trip there. The cool water felt nice, and I was mindful of the soft mud squeezing between my toes. I slowly proceeded to the middle of the pond, where at that point, I had no care of wetting my clothes. So I crouched down, placed my face in my hands, and let my emotions go. I felt my tears seeping out beneath my palms, making little drops that fell into the water. I stayed like this for some time.
Then, I heard something. There was a buzz. Then a second buzz. And then another and another. I raised my face out of my hands to see what was going on. There were hundreds of fireflies flying in the air, lighting up the pond like tiny flickering candles.
Further away, I heard a faint sound of grass moving in the darkness. Many of the fireflies flew towards the noise. And then I saw a silhouette of the curves of a woman near the other end of the pond. She took a step into the light of the fireflies. It was Kaylee. She was smiling at me in a fitted long-sleeve top and a short skirt. We stood there for a few moments, just looking at each other. My tears were now coming from joy. I grinned back at her.
“Sorry,” she broke the silence. “It took me longer than I thought.”
I looked at her high-heeled sandals and giggled with a shake of my head.
Kaylee followed my eyes and looked down at her feet. “Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking.” She bent over to unstrap and take off her sandals. Then, she lifted her light skirt and waded into the pond. As she walked towards me, ripples moved across the pool of water. Upon meeting me, she wrapped her arms around my waist and placed her cheek against my chest. I embraced her body in my arms.
Strangely, the fireflies reacted by moving around us like we were star actors of some kind of show. “Uh, guys, what are you doing?” I asked them.
Kaylee lifted her head from my chest and watched them fly around us. “Let them be,” she joked.
She turned her attention back to me, and gazed into my eyes. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” I replied.
Still holding one another, we inched closer. I closed my eyes and felt her soft lips press against mine. My eyelids tightened firmer and quivered upon feeling a euphoric sensation that moved throughout my soul.
Life sometimes has its strange twists and turns. I was glad that we both took a chance on this one.
Hi Everyone,
I hope you enjoyed this romantic scene. To help me evoke my emotions, I listened to the songs “Sleepy Eyes” by Elohim & Whethan and “Stargazing” by Kygo ft. Justin Jesso while I was writing this, which I posted below. I found the picture shown above, of a boy and girl in a shallow pond in a field of grass at http://gde-fon.com/download/guy_girl_lake_water_night_fireflies/401727/1680×1050.
My cousin-in-law Christine Ogawa Karamatsu (she has a career in law, health, and government affairs) saw on social media that I’m working on projects involving construction, so she brought her construction law book at our family Thanksgiving dinner at my parents’ house in Pearl City, Hawaii. I have so much love and gratitude for her thoughtfulness. Happy Thanksgiving!
With my friends and lawyer colleagues of my past: Tricia Nakamatsu and Allen Yadao at Highway Inn in Kaka’ako, Honolulu, Hawaii for lunch on November 22, 2017. Allen and I have many moments of laughter. Tricia has the kindest soul and her writing style has influenced me greatly. I’m thankful to have them in my life! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!!!
Had fun at Jodo Shu Hawaii Fujinkai’s “Thank You” party on Sunday November 19, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii. We played a memory game for 22 things in a box, Jan Ken Po and grab bag drawing. For lunch we had dim sum – Chinese food.
I finished reading “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” by Al Ries & Jack Trout late this morning of November 18, 2017 at Starbucks in Pearl City, Hawaii. I learned about this book through Tim Ferriss who is an entrepreneur, author, podcast host, and investor. Super good! Very applicable! My mind is churning up stuff that I’m putting into words with my MacBook Pro.
At 9:00 A.M. Hawaii Standard Time on Saturday November 18, 2017, we, the board of directors of Jodo Mission of Hawaii inspected the concrete repairs and painting of our temple at Honolulu, Hawaii with a manager of Eko Painting & Concrete just before our first progression payment. Gaining ground. We’re happy with the progress!!!
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #82, 11/16/2017 –
( I dedicate this Haiku poem to my mom whose birthday is today, November 16, 2017. Since I was a little kid, my mom got me and my two younger sisters to try so many activities and experiences. Since I was a child I’ve been telling her my plans, like “Hey mom, hey mom, this the plan!!! As a middle-aged adult, I still do this, and she has the same answer, “Just try.” My mom is my greatest support. I love her so much!)
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #81, 11/16/2017 –
(I dedicate this poem to my mom whose birthday is today, November 16, 2017. I learned how to be grateful for all the things in my life from her since I was a child. She would actually say that when I was a little kid.)
On Wednesday November 15, 2017, I visited the store that’s being set up by a client I am helping with in regards to business development and legal work.
Positive practices every single day, every single hour, every single minute, and every single second is the only way.
If our soul is consistently filled with love, our mind will always be filled with love, and if our mind regularly has love, our actions will constantly deliver love to everyone . . everyone. Only then, will we understand enlightenment.
End the excuses. If we get mad for stupid reasons, we will get killed by our stupidity. No one can save us, but ourselves.
As for all the negative people – they can steal, scream, and hit. We’ll just transcend past them and their little messed up box while we enjoy the many good things in our lives and the universe.
If we all attain inner peace, our country and world will be at peace.
This song “Freedom” by Steve Angella and Pusha T. has the beat and sound of my writing.
Aaaaaagh, the pleasure of a Japanese pastry called Kamesan, a turtle made of a sweet bun with azuki inside, and a cup of coffee at Watanabe Bakery in Honolulu as I wait for my remote control to be fixed for my 2000 Nissan Frontier truck at my friend’s auto shop, Masaki Auto. After so many years, I finally decided to fix my remote control. I was opening my truck the old school way, use the key. Lol!!!
Drafted some litigation strategy for a construction company for the past couple days. Here’s a picture of my lay-out in my office during the early morning of November 15, 2017.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii luncheon celebrating Kanreki birthdays and newly elected Bishop Yubun Narashiba who is serving as Bishop for the 2nd time on Sunday November 12, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Combined with gratitude, exercise is a powerful practice because it not only develops our body, but our mind. Mental health is key in maintaining a positive outlook, which tremendously supports our career and personal life.
– Haiku Poem #74, Jon Riki Karamatsu, November 4, 2017 –
(I’m pictured here in my office wearing a political campaign shirt of my mentor, former Hawaii Representative Jerry L. Chang and currently head of the government affairs division of the University of Hawaii at Hilo.)
Death will come for all of us, so there’s no need for a majority of our bickering. On our last days alive, if we have that luxury, we won’t care about most of our disagreements and worries. We can focus on the water that’s in our cup and keep filling it up by taking action on what we can control. Peace in our mind, body, and soul through our daily practices such as but not limited to learning, execution on our passionate ideas, exercise, sharing positivity with others, mindfulness, and gratitude.
I’m feeling this song “Better” by Rihanna ft. The Chainsmokers & Martin Garrix. For those of you going through some struggles and heartache, I dedicate this song to you. With the bigger picture in mind, most things are not worth fighting about. If balance can be achieved, there’s a chance to save love.
On Halloween evening, October 31, 2017, I had fun giving candies to children at my friend Mike Noguchi’s house in Pearl City, Hawaii. For the first group of kids, I was so happy to see my friends Scott and Michelle Miyasato’s 2 youngest daughters and Mike and Rachael Lee Oshiro’s daughter with their friends!!! That highlighted my day!!! Later that evening we ate pasta, and I helped Ashley Kirito with her business plan to expand her business servicing horses. Pictured here is a Jade plant for good luck from my friend Mike Noguchi. I have so much gratitude for those moments!!
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 