What’s up! One of my favorite pictures of my niece sitting on grandpa’s lap.
#niece #family #hawaii
Monthly Archives: July 2018
My Last Moments
I stood on the top of the ridge and admired the beautiful green trees swaying far below with the wind. The last of the blue skies were painted over with shades of gray. Ahead, dark clouds were sweeping in like an angry predator. They swallowed peak after peak and kept coming for me.
I calmly inserted my headphones in my ears and played my favorite song. The happy tune brought me a smile. My time here would be over soon, but I was content. All that came to my mind was my mom, dad, sisters, nieces, family, and my closest friends. It’s funny how we spend much of our lives building so much, pushing through all the problems and terrible people that seemed so important to do back then. Yet, in the last moments of our lives, all we think about are the ones who really mattered. Memories of joy with them came blasting in like a movie in fast forward. You see their faces and then you’re gone.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 7/25/2018 –
#creativewriting #writing #peace
Filed under Books, Creative Writing, Family, Friends, Gratitude, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Peace, Writing
Empathy Spits Fire Back
Their rage won’t burn me.
Empathy spits fire back.
Change or die in pain.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #143, 7/25/2018 –
#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing
Kauai Style Smoked Pork
Smoked pork Kauai style out in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
#smokedpork #smokedmeat #kaneohe #hawaii
Filed under Uncategorized
How to Be Better at Stress – Well Guides – The New York Times
We all face stressful events and people. For me, practicing a positive mindset, reframing the stressful events as challenges, exercise, sleep, happy music, reading and listening about positive practices performed by others, creative writing, meditation, and positive relationships help me in maintaining my mental and physical resilience against stress. Here’s a great article on how we can better manage our stress.
Filed under Health, Life Coach, Meditation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Sleep
Dinner with my Friend
Dinner with my friend Brandon Mitsuda on Saturday July 22, 2018 at Coco Ichibanya Curry House. We talked about our times in politics, current political elections, my business projects, positive living, friends who have passed away, and our dreams.
#dinner #friend #curry
#cocoichibanya #aiea
#hawaii #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Friends, Gratitude, Mindfulness
Saddened by the death of my friend from a heart attack.
I’m saddened by the death of my friend from a heart attack. I visited him at the hospital before he passed. I dedicate this relaxing picture of tropical plants and trees to him. Going in and out of darkness.
#death #friend #saddened #waikelecountryclub #waikele
Meeting & Working at Waikele Country Club
Working after a breakfast meeting at Waikele Country Club. Such a relaxing location!
#work #business #law #macbookpro #macbook #laptop #waikelecountryclub #waikele #hawaii #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Gratitude, Mindfulness
Our Intuition as Guidance
Our intuition will give us a feeling of expanding or contracting. That good feeling like I’m expanding is when I go with it. If I feel very uncomfortable like I’m contracting, I don’t go with it. There are times when I go against my intuition, and my gut feelings get revealed by future events. No matter what, we will figure things out.
#intuition #gutfeeling #prediction
Filed under Life, Life Coach
The Sun Will Return
Flip the switch for light.
Sometimes it doesn’t turn on.
The sun will return.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #142, 7/6/2018 –
#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing
My Laptop and I.
Many days, it’s just my laptop and I, as we stare at one another, working together for a different tomorrow.
#work #hustle #sacrifice #dailygrind #grind #productivity #daybyday #stepbystep #mabookpro #friends #myfriend #apple
Filed under Business, Career, Computer, Entrepreneurship, Laptop, Law, Life Coach, Writing
The Happier We Are, The More We Can Do.
The happier we are, the more we can do. Take care of one another.
#business #entrepreneurship #law #life #relationships #career #productivity #grind #starbucks #compassion #empathy #teamwork
Filed under Business, Career, Compassion, Empathy, Entrepreneurship, Happiness, Law, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Productivity
A Little Party
A little party.
I will make it to know you.
Twenty-thousand strong.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #141, 7/4/2018 –
#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Inspirational
Stranger, I Want You.
Your smile, your look.
The way you dance to the beats.
Stranger, I want you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #140, 7/4/2018 –
#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Inspiration, Motivation, Poems, Writing
The Greatest Teacher, Failure Is.
The greatest teacher, failure is. – Yoda –
#yoda #lukeskywalker #quote #quotes #failure #learn #starwars #thelastjedi
Filed under Entertainment, Inspirational, Life Coach, Motivational, Movie, Quotes
It Will Protect You.
I must let you go.
I hope you still have the stone.
It will protect you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #139, 7/4/2018 –
#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing
This is how to work around the clock at Starbucks!!!
To keep working around the clock at Starbucks, this is how we do it. Rotisserie chicken, salad, and inside the Starbucks cup is instant Miso soup made by Amano from my friend who I met at Starbucks. Someday, I’m going to write a “thank you letter” to the founder of Starbucks! Have a Happy 4th of July!!!
#work #hustle #grind #productivity #entrepreneurship #business #starbucks #waikele #hawaii
Filed under Business, Career, Consistency, Entrepreneurship, Motivation, Productivity
Work
After an awesome meeting, I changed into comfortable clothes, and got to work at one of my favorite offices, Starbucks.
#starbucks #entrepreneurship #business #development #grind #tenacity #momentum #hawaii
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Motivation
Start-Ups
I have so much gratitude for my business partners, especially my FBO partners who have been working with me for almost three years, and all of us are pushing forward and taking on challenges without pay for all these years in addition to other projects we have for ourselves or with other groups. Trying to make personal ends meet while developing start-ups are tough and takes patience, but the process of learning, building new skills, and expanding relationships gives us a high. We’re seeing the destination of each goal getting closer and closer with our daily grind. My heart is with all of you as you strive for your goals. Fall down seven times and get back up eight (Japanese proverb). I’m cheering for you!!!
#startups #business #entrepreneurship #law #businesslaw #development #construction #aviation #fbo #books #novels #nonfiction #events #music #musicevents #energy #housing #dreams #goals #gratitude
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Consistency, Creative Writing, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Events, Festivals, Goals, Gratitude, Infrastructure, Law, Motivation, Music, Productivity, Promoter, Writing
Jodo Shu Hawaii Otoba
This morning of Sunday July 1, 2018 we put up the Otoba for obon services for Jodo Mission of Hawaii, which are wooden boards with names of all the former members and their families who passed away. I’ve been serving on the board of directors since 2006, and as president since 2011.
#jodomissionofhawaii #jodoshuhawaii #jodomission #jodoshu #obon #obon #honolulu #hawaii
Wakaba Network’s 5th Annual Installation and Membership Meeting
I spoke and read Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s commemoration and well wishes at Wakaba Network’s 5th Annual Installation and Membership Meeting on Saturday June 16, 2018 at Park Lane Ala Moana in Honolulu, Hawaii. The organization supports Japanese speaking people in Hawaii who are victims of crime. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard made a nice speech on how she rose in the ranks as a woman and the plans she has for our community. There were also enjoyable entertainment, food, prizes, and goodie bags. Here, I’m with my friend Itoko Uchikura.
#wakabanetworkhawaii #community #communityservice #parklanealamoana #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Community
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 