The light is so much brighter when we’re in the dark. For it is darkness that makes us appreciate the light. The challenges of life and the evils of humankind should make us even more grateful for what positive things we have in our lives, and the many good people there are among us. Let the force of darkness motivate us to maximize our daily practice of love and compassion.
Sending my warmest aloha,
Jon Riki Karamatsu
Filed under Blog, Creative Writing, Gratitude, Happiness, Journal, Life, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Peace, Quotes, Writing
On the afternoon of Sunday, January 15, 2017, I attended my friend Gregg Teruya’s mom’s memorial service at Nuuanu Memorial Park. When we were in our teenage years, we used to sleep over Gregg’s house to watch movies, play video games, and play basketball. Mrs. Teruya was always so kind, and often cooked or picked up food and beverages for us. I remember having some very nice talks with her. I’m grateful to have these nice memories of her. My thoughts are with Gregg, his dad, sister Marcie, and their family.
Lost in a forest.
Rain washes away my tears.
Whispers – I love you
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 1/2/2017, Haiku #53 –
Filed under Blog, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Journal, Poems, Writing
Just found this song, “With Every Heartbeat” by Son of 8 & Phats & Small.
Nice beat – though the meaning behind the song and its music video can make your heart ache:
So I don’t look back.
Still I’m dying with every step I take.
But I don’t look back.
And it hurts with every heartbeat.
Filed under Blog, Dance, Dance Music, DJ, Electronic Dance Music, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Hawaii, Journal, Love, Lyrics, Performances, Pop Music, Production, Promoters, Song, Tunes, Uncategorized, Writing
I feel you in me.
Take the paths built by my words.
In time, we will meet.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #39, 11/25/2016 –
Amazon (AMZN) has created a very heartwarming commercial that shows how multi-religions can live together harmoniously, especially between Christians and Muslims where there has been conflict between leaders and members of the two religions for hundreds of years. This positive message can be applied to unify all conflicting groups. We can all make a difference in making our world peaceful by spreading love and compassion to everyone we interact with.
The commercial features a priest and imam having a pleasant conversation over tea. As the the imam prepares to leave, both men remark at their sore knees, share a hug, and part ways. Afterward, they both take out their smartphones and buy the other knee braces through Amazon Prime.
The commercial ends with both the priest and the imam kneeling to pray while wearing the knee braces they received from the other via Amazon Prime.
I love this. So touching. Wonderful work Amazon!
Filed under Blog, Business, Happiness, Inspiration, Journal, Love, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
I can’t stop crying.
Tears are my fuel for my art.
I hope it heals you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 11/19/2016, Haiku #36 –
[I hope my Haiku poems and my novels when they go public, can help you to heal the pain in your soul and inspire you.]
Filed under Blog, Books, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Journal, Life, Love, Poems, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
You exist in dreams.
You seem so real – Is it so?
I sleep to seek you.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 11/19/2016, Haiku #35 –
[This Haiku poem was inspired by my first novel, which I’m still pitching to agencies.]
Filed under Blog, Books, Creative Writing, Creativity, Fiction, Happiness, Journal, Life, Love, Love Story, Novels, Poems, Uncategorized, Writing
It hurts to know you.
Everything has its reasons.
Learn from good and bad.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 11/19/2016, Haiku #34 –
Filed under Blog, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Poems, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
Running and writing.
My medicine, my escape.
Visions come to me.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 11/19/2016, Haiku #32 –
Filed under Blog, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Journal, Life, Love, Poems, Uncategorized, Writing
Death and broken hearts.
We all experience them.
Upside down feeling.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 11/19/2016, Haiku #31 –
Filed under Blog, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Journal, Life, Poems, Uncategorized, Writing
Such a moving song and nice video. “I Would Do anything For Love” written by Jim Steinman and sang by Meatloaf with Lorraine Crosby. Michael Bay directed the music video.
Romantic lyrics:
Woman:
Will you make me some magic with your own two hands?
Can you build an emerald city with these grains of sand?
Can you give me something I can take home?
Man:
I can do that!
Burst through their fire.
Relentlessly pursuit it.
They can only watch.
-Haiku #28, Jon Riki Karamatsu, 10/9/2016-
Filed under Blog, Books, Creative Writing, Creativity, Haiku, Poems, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
Curls under blankets.
Follows me from room to room.
Cute tilted head stares.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, 10/1/2016-
Filed under Blog, Creativity, Dogs, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Hawaii, Journal, Life, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Peace, Poems, Positive Living, Positivity, Writing
There’s only one you.
Love yourself and love others.
Live with gratitude.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, 9/14/2016-
Filed under Blog, Creativity, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Journal, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Peace, Poems, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
Entrepreneur and Author James Altucher wrote a nice article, which is linked below my article. Mr. Altucher wrote, “The world doesn’t need more DO-ers.” He also stated, “Stillness ultimately creates, Doing often destroys.”
Sometimes “doing” does nothing such as having meetings that have no new information or purpose, just rehashed things that were already in motion. There are times when “doing” is destructive such as having a meeting where people are offended or where we cannot commit to an action because we didn’t complete the preceding tasks yet. At times, waiting on action such as actions by the government or investors can be a good thing because new investors and opportunities pop up that could never have happened had things progressed faster. Patience is a key to success when “doing” does nothing.
Filed under Blog, Business, Career, Creativity, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Goals, Inspiration, Journal, Life Coach, Productivity, Success, Uncategorized, Writing
Ideas are like love. When we work on them daily, fruits of joy explode.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, July 12, 2016-
Filed under Blog, Creativity, Journal, Writing
What is, is.
What will be, will be.
We can’t dwell on what has happened, and worry about what will happen.
If we do, it will depress us, slow us down, and even kill us.
Good things will happen and so will bad things.
We have to appreciate what we have and focus on what we can control.
By accepting what is and what will be, we can keep moving forward.
To help us overcome our hardships, I dedicate this song to you called “Light It Up” by Major Lazer ft. Nyla and Fuse Dog.
Filed under Blog, Books, Business, Career, Concerts, Creativity, Dance, Dance Music, DJ, Electronic Dance Music, Entrepreneurship, Events, Failure, Festivals, Fiction, Goals, Gratitude, Happiness, Hawaii, Life, Live Shows, Music, Performances, Performers, Pop Music, Positive Living, Positivity, Production, Promoter, Promoters, Song, Talent, Tunes, Uncategorized, Writing
Of all the sectors to be involved with, people ask me why I’m involved with the music events sector. After soccer, I acted in theatre and a few TV commercials, so the arts has always been in my heart. It’s where creativity floats at a high. That’s why I enjoy writing fiction. Like many of you, music is a part of our soul. It has a way of lifting us up. During college, while I was Vice President of the student government of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a member of the University of Hawaii American Marketing Association, a member of the University of Hawaii Pre-Law Society, a member of Sigma Lambda, a member of the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, a member of the Young Democrats of Hawaii, a member of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, staff for politicians, volunteer for political candidates, and working in Flightline at Duty Free Shoppers Hawaii, my friend Gregory Dehnert, otherwise known as G or DJ G-Spot was bringing me to his music events and dance parties – now known as EDM, one of the biggest genres in the music industry. In 2014, G brought me into the the industry where I handled the logistics, government affairs, agreements, and media affairs. Now I understand the entire operations. For this, I will always be grateful.
Filed under Blog, Business, Career, Concerts, Creativity, Dance Music, Electronic Dance Music, Entrepreneur, Events, Festivals, Happiness, Hawaii, Inspiration, Life, Music, Pop Music, Positive Living, Positivity, Promoters, Rock, Song
Knocked down by bullets.
Red eyes glow in the shadows.
I smile at myself.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, June 13, 2016-
Filed under Blog, Books, Business, Career, Creativity, Haiku, Journal, Life, Peace, Philosophy, Poems, Uncategorized, Writing
In life, we often come across opportunities or get involved with something that seems good, but it’s out of our comfort zone. We can analyze the pros and cons, get opinions from others, and follow our intuition.
Sometimes our situation will be more obvious when red flags start popping up everywhere and people advise you to stay away or leave. At other times, there may not be any noticeable problems for us or anyone to analyze. In either situation, we will get an intuition, if not at that earlier moment, it will occur along our journey.
Marie Forleo, an entrepreneur, life coach, and author said it best in her Youtube Show Marie TV that is linked below, “Do you feel expansive? Or do you feel contracted?” Does your shoulders open up and do you feel excited? Or does your body pull in, your head start to shake, where you dread about it?
Our body doesn’t lie. When you talk about something you shouldn’t do, you start to look pasty and depressed. But when you’re excited about what you’re working on, you light up like a Christmas tree.
Great advice that we can apply in our lives and career.
Filed under Blog, Business, Career, Decisions, Entrepreneur, Goals, Happiness, Inspiration, Intuition, Journal, Life, Life Coach, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized, Writing
Orange fiery flames.
They rage, anger for anger.
Good becomes evil.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, June 6, 2016-
Images fading.
I try to remember us.
Time pulls you away.
-Jon Riki Karamatsu, June 5, 2016-
Filed under Blog, Creativity, Haiku, Happiness, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Peace, Poems, Uncategorized, Writing
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 