My mom dropped off Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back glasses that was part of a promotion with Burger King when I was a kid. After, we did some errands together and had lunch at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers.
#starwars #empirestrikesback #burgerking #glasses #mindfulness #gratitude #honolulu #oahu #hawaii
Filed under Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness
Filed under Compassion, Empathy, Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Influencer, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity
Happy 3rd birthday to my niece Sophie! Here we are on January 11, 2018 in San Mateo, California.
#birthday #3rdbirthday #march7 #niece #family #love #grateful
Walked home at 11 P.M. on March 6, 2018 after Starbucks closed. There’s a peacefulness in walking alone while listening to an educational podcast after a day’s work at a place that helps me to attain a level of peace, happiness, and productivity.
#starbucks #coffeeshop #work #walking #walk #exercise #educational #podcast #peace #innerpeace #happiness #productivity #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Law, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Positivity, Productivity, Quotes, Study, Writing
We know what’s our means and what’s our end. Build up our closure and end ourselves with everything we’ve got.
#tiger #yearofthetiger #quote #quotes #eyeofthetiger #mysign #means #end #death #life
Filed under Career, Death, Goals, Happiness, Life, Mindfulness, Motivation, Quotes, Writing
I offered incense during the service and made a speech as President of Jodo Mission of Hawaii at the Fujinkai annual general membership meeting today, Sunday February 25, 2018. After we had a New Year’s party with food, memory games, bingo, and recognition of members who are 80 years old and above. It was a nice time!
#jodomissionofhawaii #jodoshuhawaii #jodomission #jodoshu #fujinkai #service #meeting #newyearparty #food #mindfulness #gratitude #thankful #happy
Filed under Buddhism, Friends, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Positive Living
Ran the Great Aloha Run, an 8.15-mile race from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on Monday February 19, 2018 from 7:00 A.M. It was my 10th time running the race and my time this year was 1:06:22. Here I am with my mom at McDonald’s near the stadium who drove me to the race. My mom has been driving me to my meetings and appointments for the past week. I have so much love and gratitude for my mom. I owe the world to her.
#greataloharun #run #race #running #exercise #mcdonald’s #mom #mother #love #gratitude #peace #innerpeace #happy
Filed under Exercise, Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Peace, Positive Living
People and things will not complete us. We must complete ourselves.
#peace #innerpeace #buddhism #music #mindfulness #gratitude #quote #quotes #saying #happiness #mindset #rightthoughts #positivethinking #positiveliving #mentalhealth #health #love #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Empathy, Happiness, Health, Life, Life Coach, Love, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
An example of nonattachment and gratitude combined. Two very powerful practices. “My love will always be attached to you, but not my selfish desires. I’m forever grateful for what I had with you. I love you.”
#nonattachment #buddhism #love #romance #breakup #lovedones #death #peace #innerpeace #mindfulness #gratitude #quote #quotes #positivity #positiveliving #writing
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Creative Writing, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Life Coach, Love, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nonattachment, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Romance, Writing
The Jedi religion creates killers. So does our societal system, as it provides the knowledge and skills needed for one’s selfish desire to rise to power just for the almighty feeling of having control. Like Luke Skywalker, maybe we need to detach from the current practices and instead, seek the middle within us, that calm and peaceful zone, just as the thousands of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas attempted before us. Let the old religion that develops killers die with us.
#jedi #bodhisattva #starwars #lukeskywalker #thelastjedi #buddhism #buddhists #jedis #bodhisattvas #jedimaster #buddha #jedimasters #buddhas #love #gratitude #mindfulness #meditation #transcend #happiness #quote #quotes #middle #middlepath #innerpeace #peace
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Creative Writing, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Meditation, Mindfulness, Peace, Philosophy, Positive Living, Positivity, Quotes, Writing
I’ve been on the board of directors of Jodo Mission of Hawaii since 2006, taking the seat of my grandmother Bessie Karamatsu after her passing that year, serving as the 1st Vice President. Since 2011, I’ve been serving as the organization’s president. On Sunday January 28, 2018, I chaired Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s General Membership meeting and ended it with my annual speech, most of which is below, though I free-styled a chunk of my speech:
“Happy New Year everyone!
2017 was a year of rebuilding and repainting our infrastructure. We’ve repaired cracks and breakage on our temple, and painted a new coat of cherry blossom pink on our uniquely designed temple, a beautiful landmark in Honolulu, Hawaii. For the first quarter of 2018, we will continue the repairs and maintenance by rebuilding our copper awning on the Diamond Head end of our temple. We’ve requested the company involved with the awning to board off the construction area so that our members can continue to visit the niches of their loved ones. Also, we will be repairing and repainting our apartment building.
Please join us in this year’s obon services and bon dance, bazaar, mochi-making and sales, monthly services, guest speakers, and other activities. Feel free to invite family, friends, and acquaintances to our events as well. We are very lucky to have you.
In Buddhism, a positive mindset and nonattachment is critical to having a positive life as reflected in the Eightfold Path’s “Right Thought.” How we think will determine our actions. Too often we blow out of proportion what we perceive as problems with excessive worry and sadness, or worse, anger. A person with a positive mindset sees problems as challenges, opportunity, and change. Focus on what we can control, rather what we can’t control. If no can, no can – detach, evolve, and go back on the offense for other opportunities, and everyday say “thank you” for every good thing in your live, the beautiful nature around us, and our loved ones here and those who passed away for being a part of our lives.
“Nonattachment” is an area that can be challenging to practice. Our suffering can arise from our attachments to people and things. When we break up with a significant other or face the death of someone we love, it’s heartbreaking. We can still love people and things even when they’re no longer with us, but not be attached to the darkness of our desires that makes us yearn for them that can cause depression, anger, and the downfall of our health and relationships. The energy of our loved ones who passed away have never been taken away from us, and the same goes for the love and lessons we’ve learned from a difficult break-up.
Buddhism teaches us the importance of being in the middle, that calm and peaceful zone. What brings us great joy can quickly bring us great sadness when we lose what brought us joy. What makes us angry can lead us to the darkness of moodiness, hatred, and even revenge. We can be aware of our feelings, but constantly be awakened as Buddhists and practice our Right Thoughts and avoid attaching ourselves to the darkness. In order to help others we must be at peace within ourselves. Just like in an aircraft emergency, we have to put our oxygen masks on ourselves before we can help others.
Buddhism is a way of life. Our practice sends positive energy to others and the universe. Just as we just prayed to those who passed away with Reverend Nakano. I’ve had enough supernatural experiences to know there is something beyond this physical world. Thus, our soul that’s filled with compassion, empathy, and love will never die, but transcend through all realms to make our universe more peaceful.”
Below are pictures from the 2018 Jodo Shu Hawaii New Year’s Party:
#jodomissionofhawaii #jodoshuhawaii #jodomission #jodoshu #buddhism #buddhist #speech #2018 #generalmembershipmeeting #peace #innerpeace #eightfoldpath #rightthought
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Gratitude, Happiness, Love, Mindfulness, Nonattachment, Peace, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Ever wondered why positive people make huge comebacks and negative people fade away? Negative people may be able to win the short game but only positive people win the long game!
#positivity #positivepeople #kindness #empathy #compassion #love #gratitude #mindfulness #peace #quote #quotes #writing #innerpeace #entrepreneurship #politics #business #career #life #joy #happiness
Filed under Business, Career, Compassion, Empathy, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Quotes, Writing
I counted 1,400 wins in 2017, the latest practice within my self-development system, an ever-evolving program I’ve used since I was about 10 years old. We’ve written our always-changing plan for our life, New Year’s Resolution, and our daily goals scheduled in our calendars. On top of these plans, I enjoy counting my daily wins, which keeps me moving towards my life goals and annual resolutions, boosts my happy chemicals of dopamine with every accomplishment, and keeps me mindful of all the good that is happening in my life daily, critical to show me that life is good, even during my darkest times. So count your wins – Time with your loved ones, win! Several hundred words for your document, win! Cooked a meal, win! Learned a new topic, win! Exercised, win! Kind gesture to another person, win! And on and on. Life is not just life, but an adventure.
#goals #wins #personal #career #entrepreneurship #life #relationships #love #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Consistency, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Productivity, Success
Since April 7, 2015, I’ve been working quietly on a few start-up companies and taking in business clients once in a while that need legal or government affairs services. I often joke to my friends or acquaintances who wonder what I’m up to, by telling them that I’m training quietly at a planet in the outer rim called Tatooine where Obiwan Kenobi and Luke Sywalker were in hiding, and rebuilding the way of the Jedi. On the eve of 2018, I reflect on the things I’ve done in 2017 such as spending time with my family on 83 occasions or days; being with my sister Mia and her family who lives in the Bay Area, California for 12 days, and when apart, video conferencing them 27x with my parents and sister Lara; exercising (running, lifting weights, and swimming) 144x; running 550 miles; finishing the Honolulu Marathon and Great Aloha Run; writing 68,979 words for my 2nd novel; receiving a finalized land deal just before the end of the year that I will sign on behalf of one of the companies I’m building; working on 3 other start-up projects in the preliminary stages that’s slated for launch in 2018; and traveling to Beverly Hills, California in February 2017 for work and San Mateo, California in December 2017 to share the Holiday Season with my immediate family. Excited for 2018!!!
Here, I’m pictured in San Mateo, California as I enjoy my time with my family. I wish you a happy, healthy, and succesful 2018!!!
#newyear #happynewyear #2018 #newyear2018 #family #business #entrepreneurship #law #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Family, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Law, Life, Mindfulness, Motivational, Positive Living, Productivity, Success, Writing
Feeling good this morning! My younger sister Mia, second of 3 siblings had a baby girl, her third daughter! Mia and her family lives in the Bay Area, California. I have tears of joy forming as I write this, amongst all the work I’m doing for my business projects. I can’t wait to see them soon!
#baby #niece #sister #family #love #joy #happiness #peace #mindfulness #gratitude
I now have 70 practices for my inner peace and happiness. One is listening to music, especially Electronic Dance Music or EDM, and yes, I dance by myself!!! I once got caught dancing by myself in my office by a staffer from another office when I was a young politician. Lol!!! Let’s go boys and girls!!!!!!!
#music #electronicdancemusic #edm #peace #innerpeace #happiness #mindfulness #gratitude #business #law #entrepreneurship #aviation #construction #novels #books #concerts #honolulu #hawaii #positivity #positiveliving #joy #happy
Filed under Gratitude, Happiness, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Writing
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!
#thanksgiving #thankful #gratitude #construction #constructionlaw #law #business #entrepreneurship #love #mindfulness #hawaii
Filed under Books, Business, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Law, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
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!!!
#friends #friendship #lawyers #attorneys #highwayinn #restaurant #food #lunch #pulehuribs #kakaako #honolulu #hawaii #thanksgiving #thankful #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Career, Friends, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Mindfulness, Positive Living
Sports, activities,
law, politics, business, love.
“Just try!” Got it mom!
– 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!)
#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #creativewriting #writing #mom
Filed under Creative Writing, Family, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Influencer, Inspiration, Life, Life Coach, Live Events, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Writing
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.
#innerpeace #peace #love #compassion #empathy #creativewriting #writing #quote #quotes #buddhism
Filed under Buddhism, Happiness, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Quotes, 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!!!
#watanabebakery #bakery #anpan #pastry #japanesepastry #coffee #masakiauto #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Food, Gratitude, Happiness, Hawaii, Mindfulness
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.
#exercise #mind #body #soul #health #physicalhealth #mentalhealth #mindfulness #gratitude #24hourfitness #mililani #hawaii
Filed under Exercise, Gratitude, Happiness, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Uncategorized
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!!
#halloween #trickortreat #children #friends #jadeplant #happy #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Friends, Gratitude, Happiness, Hawaii, Live Events, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Positivity
Even when I’m tired, I get up excited to be working on a few projects that I’m passionate about that have the potential to positively impact Hawaii and the Pacific rim with more revenue, jobs, services, and products – maybe even the world. I fear failure, but I learn and develop relationships from both, success and failure, which continues to build my ideas, skills, and network, so like a music producer/DJwho mixes different sounds and talent, I can mix my ideas, skills, and friends across different sectors of our economy to create a different service or product for people to enjoy. When I was a politician, I did the same technique to create or better programs and laws. Building things through entrepreneurship and lawmaking is much more fun than fighting and breaking apart things through litigation, which I also do once in awhile. I recently got an arbitration case closed, which I’m so happy about. Here I am reviewing about 750 pages of documents for one of my projects. Notice I have my good friend, my Macbook Pro. I have so much gratitude for all the things we’ve done together. Have a great weekend my friends!!!
#excited #gratitude #mindfulness #business #businessdevelopment #entrepreneurship #law #businesslaw #transacrionallaw #writing #reading #creativity #macbookpro #apple
Filed under Books, Business, Career, Computer, Consistency, Creative Writing, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Laptop, Law, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Positivity, Productivity, Quotes, Writing
I used to be in the top 1% with my health examinations, but a year ago, my LDL or bad cholesterol went up into the high-risk zone. Stress from my high-risk endeavors and eating out with not the healthiest foods so I could keep working on my projects may have contributed to this. My HDL or good cholesterol has always been high, which helps, but I wanted to improve, so I’ve been eating oatmeal regularly, as well as brown rice, other grains, and vegetables to get the fiber I needed to take away the bad cholesterol. I also increased my exercise to help raise my HDL. This year, my doctor and I were happy I’m back in the healthy zone. Here I am on the morning of October 14, 2017, about to cook my oatmeal. May good health be with you! The longer we live, the more we can do!
#health #healthyfood #nutrition #oatmeal #quakeroats #cholesterol #goodhealth #effort #habits #determination #tenacity #goals #mind #body #soul #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Consistency, Cooking, Food, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Inspiration, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation
Getting some positive energy from my lucky piggy bank, and sending positive energy to all of you in your endeavors! Keep going!
#positiveenergy #piggybank goodluckpiggybank #goodluck #keepgoing #daily #effort #tenacity #career #business #exercise #education #projects #mindfulness #gratitude #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Events, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Peace
Keep at your goals everyday, and celebrate your small wins!
#wins #smallwins #motivation #habits #work #daily #tenacity #career #projects #business #law #entrepreneurship #exercise #selfdevelopment #mind #body #soul #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Events, Exercise, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Law, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Novels, Positive Living, Productivity, Quotes, Success, Writing
I cooked Beef Burgundy with my slow cooker and made mashed potatoes as a side on October 10, 2017.
#beefburgundy #beefbourguignon #mashedpotatoes #cooking #frenchcuisine #homemade #smallwins#mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Cooking, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness
Don’t let a little dispute injure a friendship. – Dalai Lama
#friendship #friends #friends #quote #quotestoliveby #dalailama #buddhism #peace #innerpeace #compassion #empathy #love
Filed under Buddhism, Gratitude, Happiness, Influencer, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Quotes
Today, October 3, 2017, I exercised for the 117th time in 2017. Early this morning, I lifted weights at 24 Hour Fitness in Mililani, Hawaii, and then I ran a quick 2.5 miles in Waikele, Hawaii before my meeting. Yesterday, my doctor and I were very happy with my physical examination results!
#exercise #weightlifting #24hourfitness #fitperks #mililani #run #running #waikele #oahu #hawaii #health #healthy #mind #body #soul #happy
Filed under Exercise, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living
Mindfulness is being present in the moment and making the most of it. The past is the past, the future will be the future, but we can do a lot with now. I immersed myself with the positive vibes radiating in the Starbucks coffee shop in Pearl City and savored the taste of my Salted Caramel Mocha Frapuccino as I engaged in my work on my MacBook Pro, my favorite toy for 4.5 hours in preparation for next week with all my business partners flying into Honolulu, Hawaii so we can meet with government departments and companies.
#mindfulness #starbucks #saltedcaramelmochafrapuccino #work #goals #business #law #governmentaffairs #entrepreneurship #motivation #motivated #positivevibes #gratitude #pearlcity #hawaii #innerpeace #peace #boseheadset #tigerbottle #macbookpro #apple
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Laptop, Law, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Productivity, Quotes
May peace be with you on this official day of peace recognized by the United Nations, the State of Hawaii and other jurisdictions, and may it always be with you in every moment of your life!
When 7.5 billion of us attain inner peace, the world will be at peace. These pictures are from the 2017 Peace Day Hawaii event on Saturday September 16, 2017 at SGI USA, Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii was the first State in the United States to pass a law recognizing September 21st as Peace Day in 2017. I chaired Peace Day Hawaii in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
#peaceday #internationaldayofpeace #peacedayhawaii #peacedayhawaii2017 #peace #innerpeace #september21 #hawaii #unitednations #love #compassion #empathy #mindfulness #gratitude #happiness
Filed under Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Motivational, Peace, Positive Living, Quotes
I’m feeling much happier today, September 18, 2017 after feeling anxiety in my personal life and career for the past 11 days or so. At 8:00 A.M., I had the first part of my annual physical at the hospital. Throughout the morning, I was texting my business partners in a different time zone/country. Then at 10:00 A.M., I took the minutes of the Hawaii Buddhist Council (Higashi Hongwanji, Mission of Hawaii, honda Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Koyasan Shingon Mission of Hawaii, Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, Soto Mission of Hawaii, and Tendai Mission of Hawaii) as it Secretary for 2017. After the meeting, Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bishop Emeritus Gensho Hara gave me a gift. Next, I reviewed and signed an EPA review for the repair and maintenance that we are contracting a Hawaii company to repair and repaint our buildings for Jodo Mission of Hawaii. Also, I reviewed a trust from a deceased member of Jodo Mission of Hawaii who was the secretary for my political influencer, Governor John A. Burns, and she had left some money for our organization.
When I returned home, I received a couple of good news from my business partner who I was texting in the morning in regards to traction for our project. Then I opened my gift from Bishop Gensho Hara, and was so delighted to see this glass display of Buddha. As President of Jodo Mission of Hawaii for 7 years, I was fortunate to have worked with Bishop Hara who served as Bishop for 8 years. He has shared with my so many teachings of compassion, and touching stories of people who have come to his temple at Lahaina, Maui from different walks of life and with diverse ethnicities. They sought refuge from life’s problems, and prayed/meditated for strength to attain inner peace. One 30-something-year-old Vietnamese woman prayed everyday at about 5 A.M. before the large statue of Buddha at his temple, and she’s now becoming a leader of Buddhism on the U.S. mainland. A middle-aged Caucasian male who was a U.S. military veteran of the Vietnam War would visit him, enjoying the rice that Bishop Hara’s wife made. He was sad with the passing of his wife a couple of years ago, and ended up shooting himself to death. It’s these touching stories that taught me the importance of love, compassion, empathy, mindfulness, and gratitude. When I told Bishop Hara that someday, after I make money, I can do more, he would gently shake his head with a slight smile – I understood his gesture, that even our simple acts of kindness can go very far to touch another’s soul. We can spread peace, even without money.
#peace #innerpeace #compassion #empathy #love #mindfulness #gratitude #aloha #buddhism #jodoshuhawaii #jodomissionofhawaii #jodoshu #jodomission
Bishop Gensho Hara and I at the Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions 41st Biennial Convention
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude, Happiness, Influencer, Inspirational, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Motivational, Nonprofit, Peace, Positive Living, Stories, Writing
Help me to find it.
Maybe it is not out there.
Look inside of me.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku #70, 9/9/2017 –
#poems #poem #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #quotes #quote #sadness #sad #mindfulness #gratitude #motivation
Filed under Creative Writing, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Inspiration, Life Coach, Live Events, Love, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
Merge fantasy with reality until the two become one.
#quote #quotes #jonrikikaramatsu #fantasy #reality #imagination #dreamscometrue #execute #implement #dailypractice #action
Filed under Buddhism, Business, Career, Creative Writing, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Family, Fiction, Friends, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspirational, Life Coach, Love, Motivational, Peace, Positive Living, Quotes, Romance, Stories, Uncategorized, Writing
Is peace forever elusive? It seems, so long as there are humans, there will always be those who hurt others emotionally and physically. Yet, it is the energy of negative people that fires up the power of those who are positive. With bad people, as much as their acts feels terrible, they make the world more challenging and gives the good people a greater purpose. If the world was perfect, we may take things for granted because there would be less bad experiences to compare to, and there would be no need for heroes. So long as there are people who harm others with words or might, it is the hero in all of us who will keep the world tipped towards compassion, empathy, and love.
#peace #innerpeace #love #aloha #good #bad #positive #negative #compassion #empathy #humans #people #quote #quotes #jonrikikaramatsu
Filed under Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Peace, Quotes
Nice change in pace. Hanging out with my friends and their children on Sunday August 27, 2017 at My Gym in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii.
#friends #children #mygym #kailua #oahu #hawaii #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Friends, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Uncategorized
Starbucks is the company I go to, to develop my mind. 24 Hour Fitness is the company I go to, to develop my body. Jon Riki Karamatsu is the company I go to, to develop my soul. Sending you positive energy in all that you pursue!!! (This is how I cruise at my house, Hawaiian style. 😁🤙).
#starbucks #24hourfitness #fitperks #jonrikikaramatsu #mind #body #soul #goals #selfdevelopment #career #business #law #entrepreneurship #mindfulness #gratitude #joy #happiness #quote #quotes
Filed under Entrepreneurship, Exercise, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Inspirational, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivational, Positive Living, Quotes
My friend Brandon Mitsuda gave me a good luck piggy bank to attract capital, cookbook with recipes from the top chefs in Hawaii, and a beverage to be drank for wins along the journey. I’m motivated to keep working hard every day, enjoy life, and have gratitude for the opportunities and little wins along the way.
#piggybank #goodluckpiggybank #cookbook #encouragement #goodluck #dailypractice #work #projects #companies #business #law #entrepreneurship #tenacity #perserverance #gratitude #wins #smallwins #bigwins #friends #friendship
As my 5-year old niece Elyse says since she was 2 years old, “I’m so happy!” I’m so happy to finish drafting a 75-page business plan that was overhauled to include 48 more pages of data, strategy, and content; and 6 financial spreadsheets for a project my business partners and I are moving closer to launching after 1 year and 10 months of sweat equity work. Gratitude for the small wins.
#happy #joy #gratitude #businessplan #financialspreadsheets #financials #dailypractice #entrepreneurship #businesslaw #business
Sending you positive energy for your passionate endeavors! You never know, anything is possible.
#sendingpositiveenergy #positiveenergy #positivethinking #positivity #positiveliving #endeavors #goals #dreams #projects #career #entrepreneurship #life #love #positivequotes #quotes #positivequote #quote #anythingispossible #goforit
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspirational, Life, Life Coach, Motivational, Positive Living, Quotes, Uncategorized
I wish you a great week, to the point you have moments where you feel like you can fly! Here is a fun song, “Fly” by Melano.
#fly #melano #positiveenergy #positivity #positiveliving #mindfulness #gratitude #happiness #joy #love #peace
Filed under Dance, Dance Music, Electronic Dance Music, Gratitude, Happiness, Motivational, Music
Waiting for members of the 💔💖 club to share what I’ve learned in my journey of self-reflection. I’m trying to attain a higher level of inner peace. Transcend past all that we desire and all that pains us, and have gratitude for what currently exists around us.
#peace #innerpeace #selfreflection #mindfulness #gratitude #honolulu #hawaii #quote #quotes #happiness
Filed under Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Positive Living
Sleep is key to our physical and mental health. It provides us the energy to exercise, work, and enjoy the day. Sleep also gives us the energy to overcome challenges. When I bought my place in 2003, I purchased a Simmons plush bed, which has foam and isolated pocket springs that has great back support and isolates movement, allowing me to continue to sleep even with movement on the other side. My bed is so comfortable.
#sleep #sleeping #sleepbenefits #benefits #simmonsbed #simmons #hawaii #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Gratitude, Happiness, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Sleep
Go to your fun places. Here’s my fun place to work, Starbucks coffee shop in Waipio, Oahu, Hawaii.
#funplace #starbucks #work #waipio #oahu #hawaii #mindfulness #gratitude
Filed under Business, Career, Computer, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspirational, Laptop, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivational, Productivity, Writing
If gratitude is the most powerful practice, mindfulness is the second because it is the fuel that boosts gratitude.
#mindfulness #gratitude #peace #innerpeace #positiveliving #positivity #positiveenergy #positivevibes #positivequotes #quote #quotes #jonrikikaramatsu #writing #creativewriting
Filed under Creative Writing, Gratitude, Happiness, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park on July 20, 2017 at the age of 41. He was also the lead singer for Dead By Sunrise and fronted Stone Temple Pilots from 2013 to 2015. His voice had a great range for melodic top 40 tracks to the hard screaming sounds of rock and roll that sometimes blended with rap by Mike Shinoda, the other frontman of Linkin Park.
Chester was authentic and open about his life, the struggles of his childhood when his parents became divorced, being sexually abused by an individual older than him, and getting bullied in school. He let out his frustration and suffering in his art and music. Much of his struggle resonates in the lyrics of the songs he helped write and through the sound of his voice. However, Chester also turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain. Even with his rise into a rockstar with amazing bands, he faced depression until he took his life.
As a politician in Hawaii, I worked on the issues of bullying, sex abuse, drugs, and mental health. I continued with some of this work while a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Legislative Liaison at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu. I left public service after being charged by the police for driving under the influence when I was stopped at a roadblock. Half the time I served in public service, I felt like I was dealing with power trips of politicians and judges, many with temper tantrums who were unable to put the issues above themselves. Now, I direct my efforts in helping the community through start-up business ventures, business law, and nonprofit organizations. If I succeed in building the businesses that I’m passionate about, I want to dedicate my money on causes that I’ve failed to achieve as a politician and government attorney such as building a peace curriculum in our schools to teach our children positive daily practices to reduce bullying, sex assault, verbal abuse and physical violence; and helping orphans of war receive water, food, medicine, clothes, toys, and an education.
The death of Chester by suicide hit me emotionally. I’ve been listening to Linkin Park since their beginning. I’m listening to Linkin Park songs as I write this post. I know the power of the darkness can haunt us, especially when we’re alone. At night and early morning is when they attack me. When they win, nothing matters – nothing. I know this. I live because I’ve created so many goals to work on. I work hard – so hard that it pushes away my pain – that is until I’m alone, then I have to start all over again. But I can’t just live by working. I want to love and be loved. I want to have fun. For these reasons, I created a system of practices I created that helps me to keep moving forward through gratitude, peace, and happiness. If you are facing anxiety and depression, these are the things I do to counter the darkness:
(1) Sleep – For maximum output, 7+ hours of sleep works for me.
(2) Exercise – Run, lifting weights, and swimming are some of the exercise I do that gives me a high and a feeling of confidence that I can achieve anything.
(3) Healthy Diet – Foods that have Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C helps us against depression and anxiety. L-Theanine in green tea has a calming affect.
(4) Gratitude – I have gratitude for not just the big things, but also the many little things.
(5) Mindfulness – I live in the moment to be aware of the beauty and wonderful things around me. Mindfulness is what energizes our gratitude. The more mindful I am, the higher the level of my gratitude.
(6) Win-Win/Positive Thinking. There are wins in everything we do, even failure and bad incidents.
(7) Goals – I plan and execute my goals by a system that rewards small wins and big wins. It’s the process of the daily practice that gives us a rush of dopamine every time we achieve small wins, and in time, we get that satisfaction from attaining our big wins.
(8) Writing – Blog, journal, social media, fiction, and nonfiction. Writing is so therapeutic, and it feels good to send positive messages to my friends and network.
(9) Positive Relationships – Stay near positive people who will fire you up with good energy, and avoid negative people who drain your energy.
(10) Music – Soothing music is great while working, and when you need a lift, play a lively song and dance.
(11) Read and listen about amazing people – Exposure to people who overcame huge challenges keeps me motivated and thinking extraordinary with a mindset that anything is possible when you consistently work hard, build relationships, and learn.
(12) Go to your happy places – My happy places are beaches in Hawaii for relaxation and coffee shops for work.
(13) Ocean Therapy and Nature – For me, swimming in the ocean does wonders by heightening all my senses and revitalizing my vision for my life.
(14) Sunlight – Vitamin D3 from the sun helps us against anxiety and depression.
(15) Sensory Therapy – I enjoy lemon scented cologne, vanilla and lavender scented candles, hot and cold showers, and massages.
(16) Learn – Right now, I enjoy learning about subjects such as self-development, health, writing, Japanese language and culture, aviation, fuel, Iraq war, and orphans of war.
(17) Meditation – This practice calms my mind, body, and soul.
(18) Travel – Experiences at other locations creates wonderful memories and recharges our mind, body, and soul.
(19) Read Fiction – Experience other lifestyles and locations, feel the beauty of love, and do extraordinary things.
(20) Inspirational Movies and Television Shows
The following song, “Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park expresses how I feel about the loss of Chester Bennington and the darkness that haunts us all.
Here is “Heavy” by Linkin Park, another song that moves me emotionally.
“Numb” by Linkin Park is a song that resonates with the frustration we feel after working so hard to be who we are, only to be attacked by others who want something, and punished harder by others because of who we’ve become, despite us still being human.
“Sorry For Now” by Linkin Park
“Nobody Can Save Me” by Linkin Park. On a positive note, near the ending of the song, the lyrics goes:
I wanna fall wide awake now
So tell me it’s alright
Tell me I’m forgiven, tonight
And only I can save me now
I’m holding up a light
Chasing up the darkness inside
And I don’t wanna let you down
But only I can save me!
Been searching somewhere out there
For what’s been missing right here
I want to end this entry with a positive and motivational song by Linkin Park, “Battle Symphony.” Chester will live on through his music, loved ones, and fans. My heart goes out to him and his loved ones.
#depression #anxiety #darkness #linkinpark #chesterbennington #peace #innerpeace #compassion #empathy #gratitude #mindfulness #happiness #sleep #exercise #health #diet #winwin #positivethinking #goals #writing #happyplaces #oceantherapy #nature #sensorytherapy #learn #meditation #travel #movies
Filed under Exercise, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Music, Peace, Positive Living
My friend and mentor, Hawaii Speaker Emeritus Calvin K.Y. Say and I back in 2010, speaking to a Chinese organization in Honolulu, Hawaii. “Always forgive,” is what he told me in my early years as a politician when I was being attacked by opposition and negative people. This advice has stayed with me. Keep moving forward with peace!
#peace #innerpeace #forgive #forgiveness #positiveliving #positivity #positiveenergy #politician #quote #quotes #calvinsay #throwbackthursday
Filed under Business, Career, Happiness, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Politics, Positive Living, Quotes
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 