“‘Greed’ can ride you with minimum or no effort while maximizing all your work until your services are no longer needed.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, March 17, 2016.
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Truth
The truth is only relevant if it is believed, but it will always exist, with or without the believers. In a world of imperfection, we must never lose faith in it. – Jon Riki Karamatsu (March 5, 2016).
These thoughts came to me just now as I’m eating with my immediate family and observing my 3-year-old niece and baby niece.
Filed under Career, Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
Gratitude & Compassion Will Fire Our Engines Through the Darkness.
In our toughest times all we can do is try our best to be the best person we can be. Sometimes only our ancestors know what really happened during our darkest hours when the truth gets lost in the weave of conflict. We mustn’t be sad or angry by the negative outcome, but strive forward through gratitude and compassion, which will fire our engines to transcend us to a higher level of love.
On Sunday February 28, 2016, as President of Jodo Shu Hawaii, I made a speech thanking our Fujinkai, an organization of women within Jodo Shu Hawaii, many of whom are in their golden years and were friends with my grandma. As I thanked them for all the love and compassion they have given to their loved ones and to our organization, I held back my tears that were welling up in my eyes. I told them how influential grandmas, mothers and sisters are in our lives. I mentioned about the single mothers who are doing their best to make the most of their difficult situation and instill the values into their children that you – you’re generation have taught them.
Today, after a tough day, I told my mom how much I loved her. Since I was young, she made me believe that anything is possible. I also appreciate my dad, who shaped me through his strict style, but yet taught me compassion through all the volunteer work he did for my sisters and I, as well as our community. I’m also lucky to have my younger sisters who have caring hearts and have been with me through the ups and downs. Through my family, I’m able to strive for big goals, withstand my failures, and reinvent myself with new goals. It’s this appreciation of how lucky I am to have them that keeps me moving forward.
I dedicate the song below to you:
Filed under Life, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
Words.
Writing words down is a way to be present forever.
Filed under Career, Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
The Years of Life.
The years of life are like a gift each one of us can use to make a difference in the world in any way we choose.
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Moving but yet so still.
Today, I met my close friend and immediately noticed that she was pregnant. I was so surprised. She kept this fact from me until now. I’m happy for her. She’s moving forward with her boyfriend, while other friends of mine are separating or are trying to carry on with a life away from their former significant other as they try to deal with sharing time with their child or children. I’ve read many articles and studied the statistics on successful and unsuccessful relationships and also its impact on children. We make decisions because of the feelings we get and the pressures of time and expectation. Maybe I’m analyzing relationships and the family structure too much – Romanticized with a vision that only exists with about half of our nation’s families, as blended families, single parenthood, and a single life such as mine is a norm of our time period, in comparison to the days of our grandparents.
I know happiness is what we make of our lives, as we embrace gratitude for the good things we have. I understand this, and continue to move forward and evolve with time, but yet when I look within me, there is a dark corner where I am so still.
Filed under Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
The Heartbroken and the Lonely.
I’ll write millions of words until my story is no longer mine, as I wish it will touch your heart and somehow give you hope, if not in this world, then in the next.
Filed under Life, Love, Music, Positive Living, Uncategorized
Love will be your friend.
I feel your pain.
I know you will dance . . . And free your soul.
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I will build a spaceship for you.
I will build a spaceship for you.
That will take you up to the stars tonight.
It will be a spaceship for two.
If you’re going to make it to the moon – I will be right there by your side.
I just want to laugh with you.
Leave the world and start anew.
We just got to try.
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House Chambers of the Opening of the 2016 Legislative Session
Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar, myself, Melvin G. Mason Jr., and Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Tom in the chambers of the Hawaii State House of Representatives for the opening of the 2016 Legislative Session.
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1/19/2016 Meeting with Hawaii State Senator Will Espero
Hawaii State Senator Will Espero, Hong Li, Melvin G. Mason Jr., Lin Mei, and I at Espero’s office on 1/19/2016.
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The Real World and the Dream World.
This song “Sunshine” by Robaer featuring Meerah is inspiring my creativity in the real world and the dream world.
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2015 Honolulu Marathon
I finished my 8th consecutive Honolulu Marathon. I didn’t train much this year, so a little bit tired but it was fun!
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Good Day For My Loved Ones/Friends/Business Partners
Today was one of the best days of 2015! I found out good news from my baby sister Lara Karamatsu that will change her life! Also, my friend Melvin G. Mason Jr. and I hit a milestone for our largest business project that includes 4 other team members in our management company. I also have other friends who I’m working with on other projects. There have been so many ups and downs, and we still haven’t truly bore the fruits of our work yet, but the risk-taking and journey is worth it. Though anxious, I’m even more excited on what the future will bring. I dedicate this song to my loved ones/friends/business partners!
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Racing Against Time Part VII
“Death is inevitable, and like the period at the end of your final statement, it closes your story in this world.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, December 4, 2015
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Purpose
“Purpose is the essence to living. Without it, the gloom seems gloomier, but with it, anything is possible.” -Jon Riki Karamatsu, December 4, 2015-
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Hug it Out for Oxytocin!
Oxytocin creates intimacy, trust, and builds healthy relationships. It’s released by men and women during orgasm, and by mothers during childbirth and breastfeeding. Often referred to as the cuddle hormone, a simple way to keep oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug. Intimacy or even several hugs a day is what we need. Having human touch is critical, but for those of us who are single and live alone, we don’t get much of this. With this issue in mind, in 2008, when I was in the Hawaii State Legislature, I joked with my close friends that I wanted to create the legal guidelines for a cuddling program where the private sector can provide cuddling services called “Cuddle Care” for adults 18 and over and “Snuggle Care” for seniors 65 and older at a discounted rate. Ironically, in 2012, Japan launched its first “cuddle cafe” where customers can pay to cuddle with a professional cuddler. Hmm? Anyone up for some Cuddle Care and Snuggle Care legislation?
Filed under Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
Change and Relevance
“One thing’s for sure, change is constant. Through the good and bad in our lives, we have to grow and evolve. We are only as relevant as the hearts of those we touch.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, November 28, 2015.
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Show Me to a Higher Place
Show me to a higher place. Take me to outer space. I want you to be my friend. We’ll make it to the world ends.
Don’t give me love governed by life. Limited by these worldly heights. I want a love that the universe can never stop – can never hurt. I want a love that will last after this world is our past. A love that no time could erase. A love in a higher place.
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Life’s Ups and Downs
Every so often something crazy happens in our lives that makes us reflect. Physical violence, verbal violence, anger, jealousy, and resentment seems to haunt us as we try to progress in life. Yet through it all, we try to forgive those who attack us, and progress as better human beings. It’s important that we persevere and not give up in the goodness that exists in humankind. We must keep striving for our vision of peace and happiness, and not get blinded by the headlights of negativity.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2015 to be held at Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, I dedicate this song to all of you going through life’s challenges. It’s titled “Headlights” by Robin Schultz featuring Ilsey. My heart is with you.
Stars or planets aligning with the moon on the early morning of November 7, 2015, after a tumultuous evening.
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Love Fest Hawaii 2015
Love Fest Hawaii on 11/13/2015 & 11/14/2015 at Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817.
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Alone
Our past and our future. Sometimes it’s hard to understand it. What if things happened differently? Or maybe nothing needs to change, as everything is suppose to be the way they are. All we know is, that our feelings are deeply sincere. So much so that it pains us. Even if what we desire exists only in our imagination, at least it exists. These thoughts have given me a 4th story to write for some time now, as soon as I finish writing my 2nd and 3rd one.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) to be held at Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii on 11/13/2015 & 11/14/2015, I dedicate this song to all of you who are sad and alone.
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Beautiful World!
Thank you for making our world more beautiful by all the love and compassion you have shared with so many people! That’s the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii! Celebrate life, loved ones, and the future we will do together to make this world even greater!
Love Fest Hawaii 2015 will be at an exciting new venue, the Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Tickets can be purchased at http://lovefesthawaii.com.
Here’s a song for you, one of my favorite dance songs called “Beautiful World” by Blasterjaxx & DBSTF feat. Ryder.
Stage with lights, computer graphics, and smoke at Love Fest Hawaii 2014.
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Free Mahaloween Concert Tonight 10/30/15 @ Hawaii Events Center
Dress up in costume and enjoy our free Mahaloween Concert tonight, October 30th at Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, a 8,000 square foot venue with a mezzanine. Enjoy Lion Fire, MaryAnn Ito, Kapu Systems, Astatine Collective, and our resident DJs. Enter our costume contest for a prize, and we’ll be giving away free Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) tickets that will be held at Hawaii Events Center on November 12 and 13, 2015. Also, bring a canned food in our effort to help Hawaii Food Bank. Doors open at 9 p.m. Strive for your dreams, stay healthy, and enjoy life! See you soon!
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I don’t want to be alone.
Love isn’t always the way you want it to be. Sometimes it doesn’t work out. We move on. Through it all, we remember the good things, yet keep an open mind for a brighter future.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii 2015 (http://lovefesthawaii.com), which will be held on 11/13/15 & 11/14/15 at Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, I dedicate this song to all of you feeling sad and alone.
Sunset of south shore, Oahu, Hawaii on 4/24/2014.
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Mahaloween on 10/30/15 and Love Fest Hawaii on 11/13/15 & 11/14/15
Radio ad and video ad of Mahaloween for Friday, October 30, 2015 at 9 P.M. & Love Fest Hawaii 2015 (www.lovefesthawaii.com) for November 13 & 14, 2015 at Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817.
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JON RIKI KARAMATSU 