Hana hou (one more time in Hawaiian language)! Woke up with my hair sticking up and put on my exercise clothes for motivation to produce more happy chemicals from my drugs – talking about exercise boys and girls. One of the best ways to get a natural high. Cut it up for inner peace!
#exercise #abs #arms #back #run #24hourfitness #happychemicals #endorphins #naturalhigh #peace #innerpeace #health #mind #body #soul
Filed under Exercise, Health, Life Coach, Mental Health, Motivation, Positive Living
I just woke up from a bad dream where I was with one of the two former business partners who stole money from my other business partner and I. I woke up with my heart racing. I began thinking of my other bad experiences in my career, where certain judges and politicians punished me harder because of the high positions I held in government at a young age, to make an example of me before others and sometimes the public. Power and money play a role in making people do mean things against others. My good friend Brandon Mitsuda texted me this beautiful picture of Capri, Italy. I want to vacation there when things settle down. I feel much better. I know I’m on a better path now. I’m seeking peace within me. May peace be with all of you as well.
#politics #law #business #entrepreneurship #powerhungry #greed #jealousy #peace #innerpeace #aloha #compassion #empathy #nonattachment #hawaii #capri #italy
Filed under Business, Career, Compassion, Entrepreneurship, Law, Live Events, Politics
When you work hard and put yourself out there, people will judge you, hate you, and punish you harder, but you keep going for the smiles and tears on the faces you’ve helped. Keep flying with positivity my friends!
#goals #work #hate #peace #innerpeace #staypositive #positivity #positiveenergy #aloha #love #compassion #empathy #mindfulness #gratitude #quote #quotes #nonattachment
Filed under Buddhism, Career, Compassion, Empathy, Goals, Gratitude, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Motivational, Nonattachment, Positive Living, Quotes
Stop the madness by breathing in slowly, then exhaling slowly. Lower your heartrate. Become one with your soul. Think of love, and fill yourself up with energy. When charged up, send your love/energy to another. Aaaahh, it feels so good!
#meditation #relax #relaxation #zen #energy #positiveenergy #transcend #heal #soul #innerpeace #peace #esoteric #esotericbuddhism #buddhism #bodhisattva #bodhisattvas #buddha #buddhas
Filed under Buddhism, Compassion, Gratitude, Life Coach, Meditation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Peace, Positive Living
Here’s a great video “The Power of Now” about living in the present by Aileen of Lavendaire, a young entrepreneur promoting self-development practices on Youtube, her blog, and social media. I love the value she is providing for everyone.
#mindfulness #mindful #lavendaire #aileen #powerofnow #presentmoment #now #selfdevelopment #gratitude #peace #innerpeace #motivational #motivation #inspirational #inspiration
Filed under Gratitude, Life Coach, Mindfulness, Motivational, 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
Shedding some tears for peace with my friend and University of Hawaii Professor, Jeannie Lum, a key organizer for Peace Day Hawaii held at SGI USA, Honolulu, Hawaii on September 16, 2017. Peace Day Hawaii briefly recognized me for introducing legislation in 2007 to make Hawaii the first State in the U.S. to recognize Peace Day on September 21st. I chaired the organization in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
#peace #innerpeace #peaceday #peacedayhawaii #internationaldayofpeace #aloha #gratitude #love #emotional #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Events, Gratitude, Motivational, Nonprofit, Peace
With Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin at Peace Day Hawaii 2017 at SGI USA, Honolulu, Hawaii on September 16, 2017. Attorney General Chin and I met at my office when I was Chairman of the Judiciary Committer in the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 2009 when he was First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. Chin made a speech on equal rights. I thanked him for all his work. I’m so proud of him. He’s been defending equality for immigrants from policy moves made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Peace Day Hawaii briefly recognized me for introducing legislation in 2007 to make Hawaii the first State in the U.S. to recognize Peace Day on September 21st. I chaired the organization in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
#peace #innerpeace #peaceday #peacedayhawaii #internationaldayofpeace #aloha #gratitude #love #emotional #attorneygeneral #hawaiiattorneygeneral #honolulu #hawaii
The Peace Day Hawaii 2017 event will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017, 2:00-7:30 pm, which is free and open to the public at Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Culture Center, 2729 Pali Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2007, when I served as a Hawaii State Representative, I worked with community leaders, legislators, and children in passing House Bill 345 into law as Act 23, declaring “September 21st of each year shall be known and recognized as “Peace Day” to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace.” Hawaii was the first State to recognize a day of peace, a goal I continue to work on through my efforts with nonviolence teachings, Buddhism, and my novels. I chaired the organization from 2007 to 2010, and this year I’m helping the organization to promote the event. For more information check Peace Day Hawaii’s website at: Peace Day Hawaii
#peacedayhawaii2017 #peacedayhawaii #peaceday #internationaldayofpeace #peace #innerpeace #honolulu #hawaii
Filed under Entertainment, Events, Peace
My 55-gallon tank is once again filled with life with 10 Neons Tetras and some plants that I bought from Petco today, September 9, 2017, after a few years of only Zen-like water flowing. Since I was a young child, I’ve been raising freshwater tropical fish. I rewarded myself these fish for a personal goal I achieved and my best efforts on another one. These pals of mine will come with me on the new paths I’m traveling on or alongside. They will help me to maintain inner peace.
#fishtank #neontetras #pets #fish #tropicalfish #petco #tropicalfishtank #relaxing #zen #mindfulness #gratitude #peace #therapy #stressrelief #anxietyrelief #innerpeace #moveforward
Filed under Gratitude, Mindfulness, Peace, Pets, Positive Living
Self-explanatory, but a cute way to express my feelings.
#love #peace #innerpeace #mindfulness #intuition #innerpeace #nonattachment #followintuition #gratitude #single #singlelife #singleisgood #moveforward #opportunities #openmind #anythingispossible #universe #messagefromuniverse
Filed under Intuition, Life, Life Coach, Live Events, Love, Peace
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
My friend Representative Ken Ito asked me to come with him to a Mindful Hawaii community meeting chaired by Jimmy Toyama on Saturday August 26, 2017 from 1 p.m. at Kaito Gakko, next to the Manoa Chinese Cemetery. Saw some old friends and one of our Peace Day Hawaii co-founders. There was a presentation by Hui Aloha, a non profit led by James Koshiba that is working on spreading Aloha with events and workshops. They are helping the homeless issue in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marina Piscolish outlined her training course “Toolz For Tough Conversations” for conflict resolution.
#mindfulhawaii #manoa #honolulu #hawaii #mindfulness #peace #innerpeace
Filed under Uncategorized
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
How many stars will I kill tonight?
Thousands if I let my dark voices in with no fight.
Quel my fears with a lasso I can hold.
Yank them to the side, and focus on the things I can control.
Cherish everything that brings me joy.
Sure tomorrow can be great,
but right now is what I must appreciate.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, August 6, 2017 –
Filed under Creative Writing, Gratitude, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Peace, Poems, Positive Living, 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
In life, we will have happy times, but there will be periods of challenges whether it be deaths of loved ones, illness, financial hardship, difficult relationships, bad work environments, spiteful law suits, violence, and/or prison time or penalties because of false or inaccurate statements. Gratitude is a powerful practice that helps us to always be mindful of all the good that we have in our lives. Through gratitude we can proceed through even our darkest days with the things we can control such as time with positive loved ones, exercise, meditation, writing, learning, passionate projects, helping others, and other positive things that keep us high above the things we can’t control, like negative events and people. Gratitude keeps our energy positive with love, compassion, and empathy that helps us rise over anxiety, sadness, and anger. Positivity spreads when we share it with others. Some of the most beautiful pictures of light occur when it pierces through darkness. Likewise, gratitude makes us appreciate the light or good even among darkness. I took this peaceful picture of sunlight glowing around the dark clouds at Haleiwa beach on July 6, 2017. If you have challenging times, I hope this post helps you to still appreciate and enjoy life. May peace be with you. With Warmest Aloha, Jon
#gratitude #mindfulness #innerpeace #peace #love #compassion #empathy #positivity #positiveliving
Filed under Gratitude, Inspirational, Life Coach, Love, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivational, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Writing
Every little moment has potential for something great.
#gratitude #mindfulness #peace #innerpeace #love #positivethinking #positiveliving #relationships #romance #futurelove #ideas #career #quotes #quote #jonrikikaramatsu
Filed under Business, Career, Entrepreneurship, Friends, Happiness, Inspirational, Life, Life Coach, Love, Peace, Positive Living, Romance, Success
Do whatever it takes to have that inner peace: sleep, meditation, self-reflection, exercise, nutritious food, vitamins, nature, ocean therapy, sunlight, aroma therapy, mindfulness, gratitude, forgiveness, goal planning, learning, reading, writing, art, music, movies, massage, hugs, time with loved ones, helping others, and anything that makes you feel good! If all of us are at peace, the world will be at peace!
#peace #innerpeace #worldpeace #love #compassion #empathy #sleep #meditation #selfreflection #exercise #food #vitamins #nature #oceantherapy #sunlight #aromatherapy #mindfulness #gratitude #forgivenes #goals #reading #writing #art #music #movies #massage #hugs #lovedones #helping
Filed under Peace
Here’s a picture from my short 2.77 mile run along the coast of Ko’olina on 5/15/2017. After my run, I swam the length of Lagoon 4 six times. Exercise and being in and near the ocean is helpful in alleviating stress and anxiety. I’m grateful to live in Hawaii.
#koolina #koolinabeach #disneyaulani #hawaii #oahu #oahuhawaii #running #run #swim #swimming #exercise #health #oceantherapy #therapy #stress #stressrelief #anxiety #anxietyrelief #innerpeace #peace #mind #body #soul #gratitude #mindfulness
Filed under Exercise, Hawaii, Health, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nature, Peace, Positive Living, Writing
I like to do a gratitude prayer to the universe in the morning, followed by a meditation. I start off by lighting a pair of candles on a display with stones and an oil diffuser. Then I start an app on my smartphone that plays soothing sounds of water and calming instrumental music.
In my gratitude prayer, I express my thanks for my loved ones, the ability to experience life, useful things I have, the beauty of nature, and much more. Throughout the day, I would continue to be thankful for many things.
I meditate by clearing my thoughts and breathing slowly. After some minutes in emptiness, I envision what I will accomplish for the day.
To practice this, all you need is ten minutes, but you can always go longer. It’s a good way to start your day with positivity and clarity. Sometimes I do a gratitude prayer and meditation at night or whenever I need to stabilize my soul after facing some challenges. There are studies that show how gratitude and meditation practices reduces stress and benefits your overall health. Have fun with your gratitude and meditation practice! Aloha!
#gratitude #prayer #meditation #peace #innerpeace #domesticpeace #worldpeace #buddhism #compassion #love #happiness
Filed under Blog, Gratitude, Happiness, Journal, Life, Life Coach, Peace, Positive Living, Positivity, Writing
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
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 