Category Archives: Gratitude

Death has been a strange friend of mine. I love death as much as I love life because death has taught me how to live.


I think about death every day. It has been on my mind since I was brand new to this world. A time when I could count my age with one hand. I remember thinking about it when my uncle Dwight had died. I asked my dad, “What happens after you die?”

He answered, “When you die, you die, that’s it.”

I went to my bedroom and cried on my bed. With the urging of my mom, my dad came to my room and told me that there’s a nice place where people go to after they die.

Understanding my impermanence has been my greatest motivator ever since. I go all-out on every passionate vision that crosses my mind. I’ve tried so many things because of it. I had some nice experiences and some not so nice experiences, but one thing’s for sure, I have no regrets. I would rather try and fail than to not try and wonder what if I had given it a shot? And for the times I did win, man it’s an indescribable feeling of euphoria where you’re so happy you cry in a higher realm because of all the suffering you went through in order to achieve your goal.

No matter how bad life can be, as long as we’re alive, we can still do a lot of damage. You’ll never know what your limits are unless you push yourself to break them. When you befriend death, you love life more. You don’t waste time on petty things many people complain about. Nor do you hate and judge others. These negative types of people may only realize the most important things in life when they face their own imminent mortality if they are lucky enough to have some time to think before they die.

With this state of mind, death has been a strange friend of mine. I love death as much as I love life because death has taught me how to live.

#death #life #gohard #allout #goforbroke #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #gratitude #thankful #lovelife #onelove #innerpeace #peace #passion #joy #happiness #love #mindset #noregrets #makethemostofit #dream #goforit #quote #quotes #thoughts #spilledthoughts #spilledink #creativewriting #deepthoughts

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Hawaii Buddhist Council service at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, May 20, 2019 at Oahu, Hawaii.


This morning was beautiful at Punchbowl Cemetery or the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, May 20, 2019 at Oahu, Hawaii. The Hawaii Buddhist Council, in which I’m a member of had a service for all the veterans. My late great uncle Roy Okubo was a member of the 522nd Artillery and 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.

#punchbowlcemetery #nationalmemorialofthepacific #memorial #memorialservice #veterans #military #buddhist #buddhism #mindful #mindfulness #oahu #honolulu #hawaii #hawaiilife #hawaiilifestyle #hawaiiplaces

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I cherish my time with my family. I dedicate my Sundays to be with them.


I cherish my time with my family. I dedicate my Sundays to be with them. My family and I in Hawaii enjoy video calling my sister and her family on the U.S. mainland.

Here’s a collage of photos with my niece and I on April 10, 2019.

Have fun with your family!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#family #lovedones #moments #preciousmoments #familytime #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindful #oahu #hawaii #hawaiilife #hawaiilifestyle

My niece and I.

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Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and two younger sisters!


Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and two younger sisters! I love them so much. My mom taught me love, compassion, empathy, and gratitude, all the fundamentals of life. My sisters are amazing moms for their young children. I’m super lucky!

Every single mom, whether they’re with us physically or in spirit means so much. Often times, they bring balance to our lives and world because they truly want the best for us. They want to see us happy. Sending my love to all you moms out there!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#mom #mother #mothersday #family #lovedones #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #love #compassion #empathy

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Filed under Compassion, Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Writing

If you ever need to move furniture and appliances, the Shoulder Dolly is amazing!!!


If you ever need to move furniture and appliances, the Shoulder Dolly @shoulderdolly_official is amazing!!! On May 8 and 9, 2019, my friend and I was able to move really big furniture with this product that would have been very difficult without it. I’m super grateful for the entrepreneur(s) and workers at or contracted with Shoulder Dolly who created such a value!!!

Here’s a product that solves a challenge and sparks joy!!! Mahalo Shoulder Dolly @shoulderdolly_official !!! Great job!!!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#shoulderdolly #usefulproduct #greatproduct
#business #entrepreneurs #entrepreneur #value #goodvalue
#movingfurniture #movinghouse #mindful #mindfulness #bepresent #grateful #gratitude #thankful #useful #products #product

I used the Shoulder Dolly in Hawaii with my friend to move large furniture.

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Reset your daily hustle by helping others, and enjoying a meal and conversation with friends.


My friend Mike made some awesome cornish hen, a great meal after we did some moving of furniture for his mom the past two days. I don’t watch much TV or movies so it was great to see Aquaman and Game of Thrones over dinner. Nice to see a Hawaii boy star in a big studio film! Game of Thrones is such a moving and inspirational TV show and book series for me!

We can’t just work on our #career all the time. Every so often we need to reset our daily #hustle by helping others, and enjoying a meal and conversation with friends. It’s also good to watch a movie and read a #book that lifts our spirits. Our #experiences and #messages can transcend this physical world. When we die, they live on through those we’ve touched. The messages we leave behind through our content will share a bit of our soul for others going through their journey of life.

#cornishhen #hen #poultry #hawaiifood #hawaiieats #onolicious #hawaiigrinds #grindz #onogrindz #homemadecooking #ono #yum #yummy delicious #foodpicture #foodphoto #foodphotography #foodpic #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful

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Peace is my purpose.


Peace is my purpose.

I became a lawyer and politician with this goal in mind through the laws and programs I created or supported.

I enjoy business because #commerce can connect people when a great value is provided.

I love writing fiction because you can touch the souls of people by evoking their emotions through the struggles your characters go through. If you can make a reader have compassion and empathy for a character they would have disliked or even hated but for the story, then you’ve played a small role in bridging the division created by human judgment. Such stories can be adapted into audio and visual form such as audio books and movies to reach a greater audience.

Nonfiction writing can play a role in our self-development in not just our career but our personal development to attain inner peace. If all of us are at peace, the world will be at peace.

So what do you think about attaining world peace? If we break it down into bite size pieces and work on ourselves and help others every single day, it’s possible right!

May peace be with you! Sending you positive energy!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#selfdevelopment #personaldevelopment #selfhelp #innerpeace #motivated #determined #hustle #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #gratitude

I’m pictured here working with a former business partner for branding and marketing on 2/13/2019.

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What is your mantra? Is there a word or phrase that inspires and motivates you?


What is your mantra? Is there a #word or #phrase that #inspires and #motivates you? Many Buddhists chant #mantras or have them sounded internally in one’s thoughts. They are either repeated continuously for some time or just sounded once. Mantras can keep our mind awakened with a crystal clear #vision of our lives and world filled with #love and #positivity . A #mantra can #motivate us to keep working on a practice that helps us maintain our positive #lifestyle .

Of the many #practices I do to keep myself #happy and motivated, it’s amazing how this simple #practice of speaking your mantra daily can boost your entire your day. For example, my mantra is “gratitude.” Gratitude is a practice in itself. I learned how to be #grateful from my mom since I was a little kid. She would always be telling me about how good and useful certain products are. While driving, she would compliment on how smooth a road was. From the moment I wake up, I tell myself, “I’m grateful to be alive.” I’m super grateful to be able to strive for all kinds of ideas. I’m extremely grateful for all my loved ones. On my bad days, by focusing on all the things I’m grateful for, I’m able to get some wins. In fact, my suffering has played a role in expanding my gratitude, which I wrote about in previous posts.

Pictured on my wrist is a bracelet with “Gratitude” engraved on it by My Intent @myintent . Also pictured on my wrist is my Jodo Shu Buddhist prayer beads from its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, given to me by one of the head Bishops when he was in Hawaii in 2018.

Everyday speak out your mantra and attack your day with the light of positivity!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#words #phrases #myintent #gratitude #quote #quotes #motivationalquotes #motivationalquoteoftheday #motivationalmonday #writing #reader  #writingcommunity #hawaii #book #books #author #writer

My bracelet with “Gratitude” engraved on it by My Intent and my Jodo Shu prayer beads from its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan.

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The children in our lives can inspire us to continue being curious and have that excited desire to learn.


Howzit! What’s up! I love this moment with my #niece on February 16, 2019 at Salt Our Kaka’ako @saltourkakaako in Honolulu, Hawaii. Everyday, #children #learn exponentially with their desire to find out what they don’t understand. They have an immense amount of #curiosity . The children in our lives can inspire us to continue being #curious and have that excited #desire to learn.

Stay curious my friends! Sending positive energy to you!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#family #familytime #lovedones #curiousmind #business #career #law #entrepreneurship #writing #fiction #nonfiction #goals #vision #dreams #inspirational #motivational #quote #mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #health #kakaako #honolulu #hawaii

My niece and I at Salt Our Kaka’ako in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 16, 2019.

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My niece and I on 4/6/19.


My niece and I on 4/6/19. I’m super grateful to have these moments with my loved ones!

#niece #family #familytime #lovedones #priority #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #gratitude #thabkful #joy #happy #love

My niece and I with all the stuff animals around us as she eats!

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Moon and clouds above the evergreen trees at Waikele Country Club!


I’m grateful to be alive to experience life. I enjoy capturing beautiful #sceneries like this with the #moon and #clouds above the evergreen #trees at Waikele Country Club @golfwaikele on March 14, 2019 as I walked around the neighborhood in Waikele, Hawaii.

Daily Practice: Gratitude and Mindfulness!

#gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindful #mindfulness #happy #happiness #joy #photo #hawaii #pic #photography #evergreentrees #golfcourse #waikelecountryclub #oahu #hawaiilife #hawaiiphotography #hawaiiscenery #sky #skypictures #clouds #cloudpictures #peaceful

Moon and clouds above the Evergreen Trees at Waikele Country Club.

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My niece and I making funny faces!


My niece and I making different funny faces on 4/9/19!

Practice: Spend time with my loved ones!

#niece #family #familytime #lovedones #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #happiness #joy #love #memories #honolulu #hawaii

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My niece and I on 4/11/2019!


My niece and I on 4/11/2019!

Practice: Spend time with my loved ones!

#niece #family #familytime #lovedones #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #joy #fun #love #oahu #hawaii

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Our “why” in life is very clear when we have little ones in our hearts! 😊


My niece and I on 4/11/2019 at 1 year and 3 months old. Our “why” in life is very clear when we have little ones in our hearts! 😊

#niece #family #familytime #love #joy #preciousmoments #oahu #hawaii #grateful #thankful #mindful #mindfulness #happy

My niece and I in Pearl City, Hawaii on April 11, 2019!

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Make our suffering strengthen our purpose!


Make our #suffering strengthen our purpose! 👊

We can be selfish with our suffering or we can be #loving with it. If we are selfish with our suffering, we get frustrated and angry and then blame people, events, and things for the pain we feel. When we are loving with our suffering, we embrace its painful power and use its energy to #improve ourselves and execute on our #goals and #vision for a better life and world. Once we boost ourselves with positive energy, we are able to help others and our environment. In turn, these people will help others like a domino effect that will cause the environment and culture to shift. One practice will destroy you, the other will #empower you.

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #health #psychology #positiveoutlook #anger #depression #purpose #selfimprovement #selfdevelopment #selfhelp #writing #books #quote #quotes #motivationalquotes #motivationalquotesoftheday #motivation #reader #betterlife #readingcommunity #love

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Quadrupling Down in My Race Against Time – Race Against Time Part X


I have so much #gratitude for Starbucks @starbucks , especially the @waikelestarbucks @waikelepo because the baristas are so nice and the #vibe is good. I can #work there for 10 hours straight. Pictured here are some free samples: a brownie and the Pink Drink! Grateful ! Got my constant companion, my @apple #macbookpro #laptop ! 💻

For the past few years, I feel like almost every month or two, someone I know dies. My last poem was about racing against time. It’s the 9th time since 2004 that I’ve titled a post on my website “Racing Against Time.” We have to go all-out on what we want to do before our time in this realm expires. I’m super #thankful to have lived this long and experienced many things I envisioned #accomplishing but I still have so much more on my mind that I need to execute before I die. I’m quadrupling down on my work and going harder now! 💻

My friends, keep going, keep loving, and keep smiling! 😀

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#keepgoing #hustle #grind #read #learn #write #relationships #consistency #dailyhabits #smallwins #business #career #love #mindful #mindfulness #happy #process #workanywhere #books
#novels #poems #law #fiction

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“I’m Racing Against Time” – Racing Against Time Part IX


You elevated me with this high.

Break open another special moment.

I hold my heart. It’s thumping. I’m still alive.

How many thumps do I have left before I die?

Back at my computer, I download my mind.

I have to keep going. I’m racing against time.

I have more to do, more to share.

My joy, my pain, how much I care.

Detach the anger, detach the hate.

If we all have love, we can determine our world’s fate.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 4/3/2019 –

I took this picture in Waikele, Hawaii on 2/19/19.

#poem #poems #poetry #poet #writing #writer #creativewriting #quote #quotes #fiction #story #storytelling #novel #book #author #entrepreneur #motivational #motivationalquotes #motivationalquote #inspiringquotes #reader #readers #poemoftheday #spilledthoughts #nonattachment #love

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Grateful for Starbucks, the frees samples, and the kind baristas!


I have so much #gratitude for this free sample and the nice #baristas at Starbucks @starbucks @waikelestarbucks !!! My companion is in the backdrop, my @apple #macbookpro #laptop .

#grateful #thankful #starbucks #waikelestarbucks #apple #macbook #hustle #grind #work #workanywhere #mobileoffice #business #law #writing #creativewriting #fiction #novel #book #writersofinstagram #mindfulness #mindful #dailywork #stepbystep #dailypractices #dailyhabits

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Thank you Hawaiian Electric for the Power Bank! I’m making super good use of it in my daily hustle on my projects while moving about using mass transit! Also,


Thank you so much to Hawaiian Electric @hawaiianelectric and Drive Electric Hawaii @driveelectrichi for the power bank, which I’ve been wanting for about 5 months!!! I’m super grateful!!! I’m making really good use of them in my daily grind on my #work !!! I got them at First Hawaiian Bank’s @fhbhawaii 2019 First Hawaiian International Auto Show at the Hawaii Convention Center @hawaiiconvention on Sunday March 31, 2019. Now, more than ever, since I don’t drive, and instead, catch the bus to all my meetings and events, I’ve been needing one of these to recharge my @samsungmobile Galaxy S7 Edge, which I use for business and personal use. A couple of times my smartphone ran out of power while in transit. My friend Brandon Mitsuda @brandon_mitsuda gave me his since he already has his own.

#thankful #gratitude #powerbank #hawaiianelectric #driveelectrichawaii #firsthawaiianautoshow #bepresent #livenow #mindfulness #mindful #dailywork #stepbystep #dailypractices #dailyhabits #smallwins #career #personallife #mentalhealth #positivemindset

Thank you so much to Hawaiian Electric for these power banks! I needed them badly as I do business while moving about in Honolulu’s awesome bus system!

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She hopes your suffering will be taken away.


People bickering.

Cussing and yelling, for what?

People hating.

Wanting and desiring what others got.

When you face death, all of it is a waste.

You should’ve been nicer.

It’s way too late.

Now you face your own fate.

The seconds tick away on your last day.

Yet, somewhere in the world a soul prays.

She hopes your suffering will be taken away.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 3/26/19 –

#poem #poems #poetry #creativewriting #poet #quote #quotes #writing #writer #author #reader #fiction #nonfiction #novel #book #mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #anger #hate #suffering #motivationalquotes #motivational #behappy #begrateful #compassion #empathy #love

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Get-together with my friends Jerry L. Chang and Dick Kim!


I only catch the #bus for #meetings. Yesterday was different. As usual, I do #work on my @samsungmobile #smartphone and @apple #macbook pro while riding the bus, but I was super excited because I was meeting with my friends Jerry L. Chang @mastif8 and Dick Kim for a get-together @shirokiyajvw !!! Jerry and I served in the Hawaii State House of Representatives together. He is also a real estate developer and former administrator for the University of Hawaii at Hilo. We have so much fun memories, especially our adventurous travels to other states and countries. He’s a great statesman and has so much positive energy. Jerry has been a huge mentor in my life!!! 😊

Dick is an import/export businessman doing trade between the United States and many countries. He is a very kind person, and I enjoy listening about how he sees opportunities in business. He has also influenced my life as such a positive and kind person!!! 😊

I’m so lucky to have wonderful experiences with great people like Jerry and Dick!!!

#friends #mentor #influencer #goodtimes #funtimes #memories #experiences #business #entrepreneurs #politics #politicians #happy #joy #love #lucky #happiness #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful #thankful #shirokiya #shirokiyavillagewalk

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Thankful for good times with my friends and tasty food!


Thank you to my #friends Brandon @brandonraimitsuda and Ellen Mitsuda for picking me up in Waikiki yesterday evening after I finalized some #legal documents for a client and taking me to #dinner at Outback Steakhouse @outback in Kapolei, Hawaii! Brandon has been my good friend since 2000. We studied the bar together, planned and executed our entry into Hawaii #politics, and practice a lifestyle to try and maintain inner peace so we can spread some good #energy to others. In #life, we will have wonderful #experiences, but we will always face #challenges. It’s the adversity that really tests how positive our soul is. Brandon is one of those awesome people who can lift my #soul even when I’m in the depths of #darkness.

Deep content for a #food post.

Daily Practices: Be present ( #mindfulness ) with your loved ones, #rejuvenate with positive people, and be #grateful to have them in your lives.

#thankful #gratitude #lovedones #outbacksteakhouse #kapolei #hawaii #hawaiifood #hawaiieats #foodpic #restaurant #dailypractice #dailyhabit #mindset #mentalhealth #positivemindset #mindful

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Mindful and Grateful for Every Meal


When I eat, I do my best to be #present and enjoy the #flavors of my #meal. I’m #grateful for being able to #experience it and #thankful for the #efforts of the #chefs and #staff in preparing the meal.

Here’s a close-up on the #hamachi #sashimi I had a week ago or so @magurobrothershawaii in Chinatown, #honolulu #hawaii .

My daily practices: #mindfulness & #gratitude .

#mindful #hawaiieats #hawaiifood #hawaiirestaurant #japanesefood #japanesecuisine #hawaiilife #oahueats #honolulueats #selfdevelopment #selfimprovement #selfhelp #peace #innerpeace

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Breakfast for energy, productivity, maintaining weight, and essential nutrients!


When I was younger, I often skipped breakfast and went straight to work. Now, I do my best to eat breakfast. Here are some of the benefits:

  1. Breakfast gives us that boost of energy to wake us up and move forward in our day.
  2. Breakfast fuels our brain and helps us with our concentration and information retention, key for our productivity.
  3. Breakfast helps us maintain our weight by increasing our metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day.
  4. Having a healthy breakfast provides us the essential nutrients we need for the day.

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I’m pictured here on the morning of Tuesday March 19, 2019. I had just awakened with puffed up and uncombed hair. I’m holding my bowl with oatmeal and sliced banana. These foods are very beneficial for us, which I’ll go over in future posts.

My daily practices: breakfast, mindfulness, and gratitude!

Have yourself a wonderful breakfast so you can attack your day with a healthy mind and body!

With Warmest Aloha, Jon

#breakfast #meal #firstmeal #food #energy #morning #routine #habits #practices #practice #health #metabolism #weight #mentalhealth #mind #body #productivity #concentration #memory #body #oatmeal #banana #mindful #mindfulness #grateful #thankful #gratitude

 

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Grateful for the public access room at the Hawaii State Capitol!


The public access room at the Hawaii State Capitol is my office when I’m there. Grateful for those who created this service for the public for as long as I can remember, dating back to when I was volunteering for my friend when he was a State Representative, the late U.S. Congressman K. Mark Takai while I was Vice President of the #studentgovernment at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

My daily #practices : #mindfulness and #gratitude

#hawaiistatecapitol #publicaccess #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #thankful #gratitude #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #office #pc #computer @apple #macbookpro #workonthego #hustle #grind #law #lawmaking #business #entrepreneurship #governmentaffairs #government #privatepublicpartnership #honolulu #hawaii #oahu #dailypractice

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Growth Mindset


I’m a strong believer in having a positive mindset in order to be happier and more fulfilled in life.  In this post, I would like to point out the importance of us having a growth mindset, which is believing that our abilities and intelligence can be developed.  We can develop our knowledge and skills by reading and practicing everyday.  The more we work on our knowledge and skills, the better we get.  If we keep up this daily practice, over time, we may attain the knowledge and become very good at the skills we envisioned ourselves achieving.

I like to schedule in my Google calendar blocks of time to learning and building skills and I color code them according to the subject matter.  I count each 30-minute period of learning or practicing as a “win” in my Count My Wins program I created for myself.  This program gives me a natural high from the happy chemicals released when I finish each 30-minute self-development session. I’m a very curious person so I push myself even in areas I’m unfamiliar with.  I really want to become a better person mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Have fun in your self-development!  Crush it!

3 of my daily practices: growth mindset, mindfulness, and gratitude.

(I took a picture of these plants and trees in Waikele, Hawaii on March 12, 2019. They represent growth in our growth mindset practice. I’m always mindful of the beauty around me. I’m grateful to experience such simple pleasures.)

#growthmindset #learn #read #skills #skillset #skillsets #practice #practices #dailypractice #habits #selfdevelop #mind #body #soul #positivemindset #mindset #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful #thankful #trees #plants #sky #simplepleasures

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Technology has made it easier for us to produce and consume.


Technology has made it easier for us to produce and consume. When I started an Internet retail store selling Hawaiian themed products back in 2002, customers were increasingly becoming more comfortable on buying products online. Now, it’s a part of our lifestyle. It’s such an exciting time where we don’t need offices and brick and mortar stores. We can bypass the gatekeepers and provide value straight to the consumers. We can research and learn online. We can produce content and services on our computers. We can communicate with one another in many ways. It’s also a great time for artists and entrepreneurs to disrupt markets and be found. I just love this time period and it will keep getting better!

In this picture, I was working on my @apple Macbook Pro in the lounge of a hotel on March 6, 2019 before my lunch meeting with a law client in regards to business contracts and business documents. Isn’t this lounge and all the plants beautiful!

I’m so grateful for technology and all of my technology toys for work! They make the hustle fun!

My daily practice: mindfulness and gratitude!

#technology #internet #online #apple #macbookpro #laptop #computer #workanywhere #law #businesslaw #transactionallaw #contractlaw #agreements #contracts #attorney #lawyer #business #entrepreneur #waikiki #oahu #honolulu #hawaii #hustle #grind #work #fun #mindfulness #mindful #gratitude #grateful

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My awesome REI Bookpacker Plus backpack with all my gear to make me a mobile office.


In the past year, I’ve stopped using my briefcase that I got from the University of Hawaii at Manoa bookstore when I was a college student and turned to my awesome REI Bookpacker Plus backpack that I used while a law student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. It’s so comfortable and sturdy, great for walking and moving about in the bus transportation system in Honolulu, Hawaii. Briefcases aren’t comfortable to carry. Backpacks like the REI Bookpacker Plus has cushion and support for long walks.

My REI Bookpacker Plus also has a lot of space and compartments to put all my useful things. My backpack carries the following: good luck charms; Apple MacBook Pro; plastic folders of different colors from Office Depot and Fisher, which holds my business material; black gunmetal Bose Quietcomfort 25 noise-cancelling headphones; black Bose Soudsport wireless headphones; space gray Apple iPod; plugs and cables for my devices; batteries; black Imation flash drive; black with silver designs samurai umbrella by Waterfront in Japan; UNIQLO black foldable windbreaker hoodie; black Fossil sunglasses; black with gold accent Perry Ellis prescription glasses; several pairs of Dailies AquacomfortPlus contact lenses; Victorinox Swiss Army knife with my first and middle name on the transparent frame that my mom and dad got for me when they went to Switzerland; blue-purple with gold accents Parker dress pen; blue Eagle Scout pen with a rubber end to touch the screen of my phone, great for designing ads; pens; mechanical pencil; eraser; gray Totoro foldable reusable bag; black blue gunmetal Tiger Sahara stainless steel water bottle; hand sanitizer; napkins; and food and snacks.

The one thing I need is a portable charger to recharge my smartphone. I’ll reward myself this once I achieve a major goal.

All in all, I’m pretty functional as a mobile office with the gear I have in my backpack. The only times, I need my office is to work on my finances with my Dell PC desktop; scan, copy, and print in color and black and white documents on my Brother Inkjet All-in-One, or print large amounts of documents quickly in black and white with my Dell laser printer. I’m extremely grateful for my backpack and all my useful things in it that help me to maximize my productivity. It makes work fun!

My daily practice: gratitude!

#mobileoffice #portableoffice #smartphone #laptop #backpack #goodluck charms #folders #headphones #ipod #mp3player #umbrella #plugs #cables #batteries #flashdrive #umbrella #windbreaker #hoodie #sunglasses #glasses #contactlenses #pocketknife #dresspen #pens #mechanicalpencil #eraser #reuseablebag #waterbottle #handsanitizer #napkins #food #snacks #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #useful #products #fun

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From the Middle, Suffering Expands Our Gratitude Practice!


From the middle, suffering expands our gratitude practice by making us more present and aware of the light in a mass of darkness, which is all the good things we have in our lives. Here are my 10 examples of how suffering can expand our gratitude practice:

1. When a loved one dies, we’re grateful for the time we had with that person.
2. When our romantic relationship falls apart, we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to experience romance.
3. When we fail at a goal, we’re grateful for the lessons we learned from the failure.
4. When we face financial hardship, we’re grateful for every little thing we have that helps us get by.
5. When we provide value for others and get attacked by opposition or critics, we’re grateful for our ability to create value for others and evolve.
6. When facts in litigation aren’t believed where we face fines, jail, or unfavorable rulings for business, divorce or our personal life, we’re grateful that we had the opportunity to tell what happened.
7. When we can no longer drive a vehicle, we’re grateful for public transportation.
8. When our health declines, we’re grateful for still being alive and having what abilities we still have.
9. When we are wronged by people, we’re grateful for all the positive people in our lives.
10. When our life appears to be in turmoil, we’re grateful that we were born to even have a shot at life.

3 of my daily practices are shown here: the middle way, gratitude, and listening to music (Im wearing Bose Soundsport)!

#middleway #gratitude #buddhism #music #practices #dailypractices #bose #bosesoundsport #grateful #thankful #mentalhealth #health #mindset #positivemindset #mindfulness #mindful #peace #innerpeace

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Missing My Aunty JoAnn Matsumoto


With the passing of my aunty JoAnn Matsumoto on February 1, 2019 due to pneumonia, I’ve fallen deeper into sadness. I feel an emptiness in my soul. Everyday I practice gratitude, mindfulness, meditation, creative writing, and my many other positive practices to keep moving forward. Nothing seems to matter to me except for those I love and my fiction and nonfiction writing for my far-reaching entertainment company. Everything in the stories I create embodies what my aunty JoAnn was: loving, caring, compassionate, emphatic, and positive. All my worse problems are small in comparison to losing my aunty. I would go to prison for my driving under the influence charge and lose more money with start-ups to have her back.

Yesterday, March 7, 2019, I attended the funeral services for my aunty JoAnn. She’s my mom’s cousin. She was like a sister for my mom Laraine and her sisters aunty Jamie and aunty Maydeen and brother Wilson because she stayed with them and their parents when she moved to Oahu for college from Hawaii island and spent so much time with them up to her recent passing.

My friends, cherish every moment with your loved ones. Them being with us makes our problems small. We can always make our comeback but we can’t get our loved ones back in physical form once they’re gone. We can always find ways to make money but that stuff doesn’t impact us the way good people do. I love you all. May peace be with you.

#aunty #aunt #joannmatsumoto #loving #caring #compassionate #emphatic #positive #family #lovedones #sadness #emptiness #suffering #life #career #business #entrepreneurship #prioritize #whatisimportant #timeisprecious #writing #fiction #nonfiction #creativewriting #healsmysoul #mindset #positivemindset #loveyou

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Live the middle way. From the middle, we can see the light in every dark situation.


Live the middle way. From the middle, dark and light is one. From the middle, we can see everything, dark, light, and everything in between. If you can see the light in darkness, then you can be grateful in your darkest moments.

Humans are prone to judging others and experiences. From the middle, you don’t jump to conclusion that someone is either dark or light, good or bad. From the middle, you don’t jump to conclusion that an experience is dark or light, good or bad.

When a person lashes his or her anger at you, you’re tempted to label that person as a dark person. When you’re in the middle, you’ll see the light, in even the most hateful person. You go deeper and have empathy for that person who may have suffered deeply at the hands of others.

When you experience suffering, you may feel tempted to label it as darkness, which will drag you further down into sadness, frustration, and/or anger, all negative emotions that pushes away your happiness and negatively impacts everyone you interact with. From the middle, you’ll be able to see the light in even the most darkest of situations.

From the middle, suffering expands our gratitude practice by making us more present and aware of all the good things we have in our lives. Here are my 10 examples of how suffering can expand our gratitude practice:
1. When a loved one dies, we’re grateful for the time we had with that person.
2. When our romantic relationship falls apart, we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to experience romance.
3. When we fail at a goal, we’re grateful for the lessons we learned from the failure.
4. When we face financial hardship, we’re grateful for every little thing we have that helps us get by.
5. When we provide value for others and get attacked by opposition or critics, we’re grateful for our ability to create value for others and evolve.
6. When facts in litigation aren’t believed where we face fines, jail, or unfavorable rulings for business, divorce or our personal life, we’re grateful that we had the opportunity to tell what happened.
7. When we can no longer drive a vehicle, we’re grateful for public transportation.
8. When our health declines, we’re grateful for still being alive and having what abilities we still have.
9. When we are wronged by people, we’re grateful for all the positive people in our lives.
10. When our life appears to be in turmoil, we’re grateful that we were born to even have a shot at life.

2 of my daily practices: the middle way and gratitude.

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Waikele on the early morning of February 22, 2019.

#middleway #middle #practice #buddhism #light #dark #good #bad #empathy #compassion #love #grateful #gratitude #thankful #mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #health #staypositive #positivity #positiveliving #peace #innerpeace

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Time with our loved ones is valuable


I was so lucky to spend time with my younger sister and my baby niece in February 2019 when they came to Oahu, Hawaii for my baby sister’s baby shower, which I helped to prepare! Here, my niece’s laughter and smile is so cute!!!

The speed in which a baby develops is a great example on how valuable time is. I dedicate every Sunday for my family in person and by video calling my family in the San Francisco Bay area. My parents, baby sister, brother-in-law, and I fly out about twice a year to be with my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces on the U.S. Mainland. We hang out in California or travel to different places. They also visit us in Hawaii. Further, I do my best to attend all of my extended family’s gatherings and events. I also spend some time with my friends.

We don’t know how much time we have to live. Neither can we predict how much time our loved ones will live. When I’m with my loved ones, I do my best to be present and absorb all I can, every moment. I love my family and friends. May you have joy with your loved ones as well. Take care!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#baby #niece #family #lovedones #friends #mindfulnes #mindful #grateful #gratitude #thankful #love #hawaii

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Mindfulness & Gratitude!!!


I took a picture of the half moon in downtown Honolulu after an event while waiting for the bus to go to my next event on the early evening of February 12, 2019. The view looked even more beautiful in person! Being present has made me more appreciative of the beauty around me.

Second, I’m super grateful for the terrific bus system in Honolulu, Hawaii. I told Mayor Kirk Caldwell at the event that The Bus is awesome!

He replied, “Jon, it was always awesome!”

“I didn’t get to experience how awesome it is until now!” I said. Not driving a vehicle for a year has made me super grateful of public transportation. I can’t wait to use the rail, which I voted in support of when I was a politician in the Hawaii State Legislature.

Two of my daily practices: mindfulness and gratitude!!! Crush it my friends!!!

#mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindful #moon #halfmoon #architecture #towers #beautiful #bus #publictransportation #business #politics #events #businessevents #work #honolulu #hawaii #oahu #lessismore #appreciative #lovelife

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If you have problems and flaws, you have a story!!!


Dim the light of my laptop.
Darkness moves all over me.
I play a song.
The melodic sound pulls my soul.
I float to a place where only emotions flow.
The feelings of love overwhelms me.
Tingling sensations move throughout me.
I cry.
– Poem, Jon Riki Karamatsu, 2/22/19 –

I wrote this poem in about a minute in the early morning of 2/22/19. Poems are a way for us to write at a higher emotional realm. It’s therapeutic for me. When I was younger, I would go to events & gatherings that often involved alcohol. I would work super hard, nonstop & saw charity events, business mixers, & social gatherings as a break to look forward to, a reward for the hard work I’ve done. Socializing with positive people is good but the alcohol part led me to my DUI incidents, one I called the police on myself, the other I was placed in jail & charged with refusal when I asked questions that only a prosecuting attorney would ask, which I was at the time. There’s other ways to relieve stress, anxiety, & sadness. I spend a great majority of my time with my laptop, my partner. Together, we produce things for myself & others. I catch the bus & only go to events if it’s something I have to do for my business or client, or if it’s for someone I care about. Sometimes I get rides with my mom or my business partner.

To heal my suffering, I have to go within me. By working on creative writing, especially fiction, I can live other lives, experience different places, & fall in love. The words we put on paper evoke our five senses & feelings. Every journey, like our own lives, has its conflicts. Every protagonist has his or her flaws & vulnerability. Without conflicts & character flaws, there is no story. If we did write it, it would be boring. So if you have problems & flaws in your life, you have a story! You’re our protagonist, our hero who we are rooting for!!! Keep going my friends!!!

#poem #poems #creativewriting #poetry #micropoem #poet #quote #quotes #motivationalquotes #motivational #hero #journey #story #storytelling #fiction #nonfiction #experiences #lifeexperience #challenges #conflict #flaws #vulnerability #keepgoing #staypositive #sendinglove #positivemindset

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Happy Birthday to My Friend Itoko!


Happy Birthday to my friend Itoko!!! She had the Polar Bear Shave Ice @minorihawaii Minori Craft Japanese Tavern, which she wanted to try for awhile since the restaurant was Tsukada Nojo.

#minoricraftjapanesetavern #birthday #happybirthday #celebration #restaurant #japaneserestaurant #hawaiirestaurant #shaveice #dessert #happy #happyday #friends #friendship #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful

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Learn, Hustle, Live With Patience, & Be Grateful!


Since I was little, my mom and dad encouraged me to try different things, learn, & work hard. You never know, anything is possible. You may live your dreams. Some of mine came true, like becoming a politician, practicing law, building businesses, & helping nonprofits with a mission of peace within ourselves & the world.

However, when you take a chance on a dream, a vision, a value you want to share with others, you put yourself at risk of failure, criticism, & even hate. I get most of my anxiety worrying about whether I will fail or if someone will attack me or my organization. Most of these anxieties are about things I can’t control. To lessen this darkness that slows down my progress & deflates my happiness, I practice what I can control: (1) Always keep learning & building new skills; (2) Hustle like I’m a fiercely determined soccer striker with #7 on the back of my jersey, practicing my craft everyday so I can play for that championship title; (3) Have patience in the process, as I understand many big goals take years to achieve; & (4) Be grateful from the moment I wake up until I sleep. I appreciate the chance to be alive, all the good things in my life, the lessons of my failures, the ability to learn new things, Hawaii, travel, & my loved ones.

It’s not always easy. We all have our down days. Yet, tomorrow is always another day to crush it! And yes, with a positive mindset, we can achieve great heights & fill our lives with happiness a vast majority of our time. So attack your dreams! Learn, hustle & live with patience. Most importantly, be grateful for your shot at life & all the wonderful things around you!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#thoughts #practices #learn #hustle #patience #grateful #gratitude #quotes #quote #motivationalquotes #dreams #goals #vision #personallife #career #business #entrepreneurship #books #novels #writing #law #politics #events #peace #innerpeace #worldpeace #hawaii #lovedones #family

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Farewell Mrs. Yoshiko Kitagawa.


This afternoon, January 26, 2019, I attended the funeral of my friend and long-time member of Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Mrs. Yoshiko Kitagawa that was held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Mrs. Kitagawa was a friend of my late grandparents Maurice (passed away in 1992) and Bessie (passed away in 1996) Karamatsu. As President of Jodo Mission of Hawaii, I represented the organization in placing incense at the front of the service.

Mrs. Kitagawa passed away on December 15, 2018 at the age of 99. She was born in Wailuku, Hawaii. She is the founder of L&L restaurant, which was sold to Eddie Flores. Mrs. Kitagawa is survived by her sons, Hiram, Eric; daughters, Mary Lim, Dianne Douglas (Ashley), Audrey Kitagawa (Dr. Gary Umeda); grandsons, Ian Douglas, Kai Melton-Kitagawa.

For the last 3 decades, I would see Mrs. Kitagawa at Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s services and events. For awhile in the last 8 years, she would playfully ask me when I was going to find a girl and settle down. I enjoyed my chats with her. I will miss her.

#funeral #friend #jodomissionofhawaii #jodomissionofhawaii #jodoshuhawaii #jodoshu #buddhism #honolulu #hawaii #mindfulness #mindful #grateful #gratitude #thankful

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My Niece & I on 10/21/2018


My niece and I on 10/21/2018 in the Bay Area, California.

#family #lovedones #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #memories #experiences

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Happy New Year 2019!


Hustling into 2019 without breaking a stride like my niece excitedly crawling up a long flight of stairs in a fast pace! Let’s take it to the next level in 2019!

#newyearseve #newyear #newyear2019 #2019 #hustle #niece #family #goals #vision #tenacity #happynewyear #happynewyear2019

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2018 Christmas!


Merry Christmas! Seeing my nieces happy and excited on Christmas Day is such a memorable moment!

#christmas #christmasday #christmastree #christmaspresents #happyholidays #family #lovedones #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful

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2018 Honolulu Marathon


I ran my 11th Honolulu Marathon on Sunday December 9, 2018.

#honolulumarathon #marathon #marathons #marathoner #running #run #runner #exercise #gratitude #grateful #thankful #mindful #mindfulness #accomplishment #goal #goals #health #mentalhealth #mindset #happy

2018 Honolulu Marathon

2018 Honolulu Marathon.

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Happy Baby!


My baby niece has a pleasant personality. Hopefully her happy genetics will compound over time and become super when she incorporates positive living practices as she grows older. She’s an inspiring and lovable little girl.

#baby #niece #family #happybaby #babygirl #happy #happygenes #happiness #littlegirl #joy #mindset #positivemindset #pleasant #personality #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #love #mindful #lucky #positiveliving #lifestyle #positivelifestyle #inspiring #lovable #superbaby

My baby niece who is always smiling and pleasant.

My baby niece who is always smiling and pleasant.

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Step by Step


Step by step and we’ll get there. My 10-month old niece crawling up the stairs with me on 10/21/2018.

#stepbystep #smallgoals #goals #consistency #dailyhabits #habits #practice #dailypractice #hustle #grind #patience #family #baby #niece #sanmateo #california #mindset #positivemindset #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #happiness #joy #love

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Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much gratitude for my family. Their love and support has a huge impact on me. I’m able to keep moving forward because of them. Here’s a picture of my family at MW on 11/16/2018 for my mom’s birthday and Legoland and California in October 2018.

I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to be alive. The odds of each of us being born is about 1 in 400 trillion. We’re super lucky to have a shot at life!

Wishing more happiness and peace in your life!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#thanksgiving #family #lovedones #friends #thankful #thanks #gratitude #grateful #mindset #mentalhealth #positivemindset #positivethinking #positiveoutlook #mindfulness #mindful #love #joy #happy #happiness

Thankful for my family.

My mom’s birthday at MW on November 16, 2018.

Gratitude for my family. I enjoy playing with my nieces.

My sister Mia, brother-in-law Mike with their three girls. My brother-in-law Ross is also with them.

Thankful for my family.

My niece in her walker at about 10 months old.

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Scott & Makiko’s Wedding


Congratulations to my friend Scott and Makiko on their marriage! I enjoyed their wedding reception at Cafe Julia in Honolulu, Hawaii on 11/17/2018. Wishing them good health and happiness!

#friend #friends #wedding #cafejulia #honolulu #hawaii #fun #gratitude #happy #happiness #love

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San Diego Zoo


My niece and I riding the open-air bus at San Diego Zoo on 10/17/2018 in San Diego, California. My brother-in-law is behind us, my niece’s dad.

For me, I do my best to spend as much time as I can with my family. My nieces changed everything drastically because time is clearly reflected by how fast they grow up, just like my hair. 😂

Have fun with you family and friends!

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#family #love #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #happy #happiness #mentalhealth #mindset #positivemindset #quote #quotes #vacation #therapy #relaxation #joy #lucky #fun #zoo #sandiegozoo #sandiego #california

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My Cousin’s Wedding Rehearsal Dinner


My entire immediate family and most of my extended family attended the wedding rehearsal dinner for my cousin Laura at Alamo, California on 10/14/2018.

I have to make it clear, that I’m nothing if it weren’t for my parents and sisters. Now, I have my three nieces who inspire me to keep hustling on creating value for others and making our world more peaceful. On top of that, I’m lucky to have great uncles, aunties, and cousins. I love them all.

#niece #family #love #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #grateful #thankful #inspiration #motivation #futuregeneration #children #peace #innerpeace #peaceful #liveinthepresent #countyourwins #wins

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Boy & His Daruma


When I was newly in this world, my grandma Ellen Sakai got me this awesome display for Boys Day from Japan protected by a glass box showing a baby boy and his daruma. They are determined to reach their goals despite others saying they can’t. A daruma is a doll that reminds you of your goals. You paint one eye when you have a goal and color in the other eye after you achieve it. A daruma is round so it will get back up when it is knocked down. The Japanese Zen have a saying, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” I grew up very focused on what I want, even one track mind at times, obsessively attacking my most passionate goals. I’m always thinking about them even when I’m not working. I’ve learned to tame my obsession for my goals by understanding that there are things I can’t control, so I focus on what I can. Good luck on your goals! With Warmest Aloha, Jon

#grandma #family #daruma #darumadoll #boysday #goals #dreams #determined #focused #obsessed #ambition #drive #tenacity #life #love #career #business #writing #quote #quotes #motivated #excited #gratitude

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The light will push through.


Something’s happening.

A feeling, a buzz-like high.

The light will push through.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #138, 6/27/2018 –

No matter how hard life gets, whether it be financial hardship, a death of a loved one, or a broken heart, we have to do our best to see all the good we have in our life. Day by day as we work at our projects, we get better and a bit closer to our dreams. In person and through social media, we can support one another. We’re in this together.

I took this picture in Waikele, Hawaii on 10/30/2018.

With Warmest Aloha,
Jon

#haiku #haikus #dailyhaiku #poem #poems #poetry #poet #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #novels #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #career #motivational #motivationalquote #mentalhealth #thinkpositive #positivemindset #inittogether #youcandoit #goforit #goforbroke #gratitude #thankful #mindful #mindfulness

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A smile to a stranger goes a long way.


I ran 5 miles in Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii on Monday October 29, 2018 at about 2:00 P.M. I ran up the hill to the upper part of Waikele. At the top, I smiled and waved to a female professional groundskeeper who was working on the front area of a house on the main street with her co-workers, a man and another woman. Their white van was parked on the driveway that stuck out onto the sidewalk. A little surprised, her serious face turned into a smile, and she waved back.

When I reached the house again on my second lap, I had slowed down into a walk, resulting from me being out of shape and the heat from the intense humidity. The same lady went out of the way to meet me on the street. “Did you run around? she asked with a beaming smile.

“Yes,” I answered.

“How many miles is it?”

“It’s about 2 miles.” The neighborhood block contains several planned communities within Waikele and about 40% of the Waikele Premium Outlets, which is about 2.5 miles to go around.

“Have a good one!” she cheered.

“Thank you!” Her happy energy pumped me up to get back into a run.

I stopped by the Waikele Community Park to drink water from a water faucet near the swimming pool. As I walked out into the parking lot, I saw the lady again in the driver seat of a the white van with her colleagues inside. They were parked in a stall near the grass of the park.

Upon eye contact, we enthusiastically waved at each other with laughter.

I put my hand by my mouth like it was half of a megaphone. “I’m following you!” I joked.

She laughed and made a running motion with her arms and upper body. “I want to run like you,” she said.

“Have a good day!” I told her. Happy, I was again motivated to run the last part of the way home.

This was one of only three people I spoke to that day and it made my day!

When I got home, I was even more happier when I found out entrepreneur James Altucher liked one of my haiku pictures I posted about going within ourselves to build, explore, and create. Plus, earlier that day, a business partner of mine from Kona, Hawaii emailed my a nice message, following up on a great meeting we had last Thursday at Starbucks in Waikele. All this positive energy is motivating me to finish my 3rd edits/4th draft of my 2nd novel, a historical, suspense, and romance based in Baghdad, Iraq during the U.S. occupation.

Everyday we can spread love through a smile!

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Filed under Compassion, Gratitude, Happiness, Positive Living, Writing