Tag Archives: Writing

Who Cares If I Die?


Falling from the sky

into the depths of darkness.

Who cares if I die.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #189, 11/6/2018 –

First, we all have problems, death of loved ones, attacks from our opposition and haters, legal woes, financial hardship, broken relationships, bad working environment, and such. To put things in perspective, there are children who are dying because there’s no drinking water. Our problems are tough but we can make it through them.

Second, most people don’t care whether we’re alive or dead. The only ones who do are our loved ones and haters. Avoid the haters and focus on our loved ones.

Third, practice things that counters our anxiety and depression such as but not limited to getting enough sleep, gratitude, exercise, eating well, getting sunlight, going to our happy places, appreciating nature, being around positive people, listening to happy music, writing our hearts out, helping another, meditation, lighting a nice smelling candle or wearing an uplifting scent, having a nice hot or cold shower or bath, working on our passions, and updating our vision board and life plans. I have much more practices that I will share with you in the near future after I finish editing my second novel.

I’m in emotional pain right now so I feel you if you’re going through anxiety or depression. I’ve been through these lows before so I know I can get through them. As mentioned above, I have a long list of practices that I execute to get myself back to my happier levels. I’m with you on your comeback. Sending you my love.

With Warmest Aloha, Jon

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #sadness #comeback #keepmoving #motivation #innerpeace #peace

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Life, Motivation, Peace, Positive Living, Writing

Romanticize Life


My future me smiled.

More to do before you’re dead.

Romanticize life.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #188, 11/6/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #death #life #mindset #positivemindset #mentalhealth #keepgoing #keepmoving #moveforward #staypositive

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing

Fear My Tiger Eyes


Fear my tiger eyes.

Closer to biting my prize.

I got a good vibe.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #187, 10/30/2018 –

When we have a vision of a better life and better world, we must eye it down like a tiger does its prey with patience until we execute and taste our vision and goals. I love tigers because I’m born in the year of the tiger.

#haiku #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #creativewriting #writing #vision #goals #tiger #focus #determination #patience #tenacity #live #love #career #business #mindfulness

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing

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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Filed under Blog, Family, Goals, Gratitude, Motivation, Writing

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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Filed under Business, Career, Creative Writing, Empathy, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Life, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivational, Poems, Writing

Leave the Angry Kings


Leave the angry kings.

They rule in their small boxes.

Play in blank spaces.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #185, 10/28/2018 –

Have empathy for angry people who limit themselves by their anger into small boxes, but create your dream life in blank spaces where anything is possible, and be happy while they destroy themselves.

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #mentalhealth #mind #psychology #mindset #anger #positivemindset #happiness #happy #joy #chooseyourself #loveyourself #behappy

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Mental Health, Poems, Writing

My Isolation


PicsArt_10-28-02.59.36.jpg

Left the noise for peace.

Training in the outer rim.

My isolation.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #186, 10/28/2018 –

Sometimes we need to cut ourselves off from the noise and hate so we can rebuild and reinvent ourselves. When we return, we’ll have more value and love to offer others and our society in a way where our critics and haters no longer recognize us.

 

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoetry #dailyhaiku #haikuaday #haikuoftheday #poem #poems #poetry #quotes #writing #creativewriting #business #entrepreneurship #law #poetrycommunity #reinventyourself #chooseyourself #crushit #selfdevelop #positivemindset #hustle #grind #vision #goals #dreams #goforbroke #goforit

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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!

#exercise #run #running #training #marathon #honolulumarathon #smile #greet #stranger #groundskeeper #entrepreneur #jamesaltucher #business #aviation #partner #writing #novel #book #honolulumarathonshirt #asics #asicskayano #bose #bosesoundsport #waikele #oahu #hawaii #happy #happiness #joy #mindful #mindfulness #gratitude #love

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

Go Within and Build


Go within and build.

People and things won’t fill us up.

Explore and create.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #177, 10/8/2018 –

PicsArt_10-27-06.48.59.jpg

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Positive Living, Writing

Treat Her Like A Queen


Draw her smiling face.

Write what she will do. Love her.

Treat her like a queen.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #183, 10/18/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #love #lovestory #lovestories #romance #relationships

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Fell Asleep Awake


Strange feelings at night.

They pretend to be loved ones.

Fell asleep awake.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #182, 10/18/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #scary #strange #haunting #haunts #haunted #ghosts #ghost #halloween

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Uncategorized

Puddles of Tear Drops


Pretend it’s sunny.

It feels nice to cry alone.

Puddles of tear drops.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #182, 10/18/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #cry #sad #sadness #alone #mentalhealth #mindset

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Time to Create Something New


Blank pages are fun.

Time to create something new.

Come back hard and love.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #181, 10/17/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #story #stories #storytelling #artist #art #love #romance #startanew #newbeginnings #newstart #freshstart #chooseyourself

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They Came Back For Us


They came back for us.

The same clouds we flew under.

A light mist of tears.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #180, 10/11/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #artist #art #clouds #tears #story #stories #storytelling

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Spark Them Up With Love


Spark them up with love.

All one needs is a flicker.

It will light the way.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #179, 10/10/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #love #hope #spark #light #support #encouragement

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Good to See the Sun


Couldn’t sleep. Wrote more.

Woke up like I was crying.

Good to see the sun.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #178, 10/9/2018 –

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Go Within and Build


Go within and build.

People and things won’t fill us up.

Explore and create.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #177, 10/8/2018 –

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Poems, Writing

Find Out or Wonder


Can’t see past the arc.

Go for something or nothing.

Find out or wonder.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #176, 10/7/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #quote #writing #creativewriting #novels #fiction #risk #chance #plan #goal #determination #goforit #selfdevelopment #improvement #life #business #career #love #relationship

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Sound Wave


What is this I feel?

Riding a sound wave in you.

Pull me in and out.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #175, 10/5/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #sound #soundwave #feeling #feelings #love #romance

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It’s Now Within My Reach


Just pink sexy me.

Spilling my milk over you.

It’s now in my reach.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #174, 10/5/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #heartbreak #heartbroken #brokenheart #relationship #relationships #love #romance

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Speeding to the Light


Fire up your hate.

You can’t crush what you can’t catch.

Speeding to the light.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #173, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #poets #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #anger #hate #light #love #compassion #empathy #joy #mindset #positive #positivemindset #mentalhealth #positivity #positiveliving #mindfulness

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Angry Explosions


Bullets in their mouths.

They backfire in their throats.

Angry explosions.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #172, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #anger #peace #innerpeace #love #compassion #empathy

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Two Voices From You


Two voices from you.

One saying, “Come back to me.”

The other – “Goodbye.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #171, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #love #romance

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Your Cute Twinkling Eyes


Is it from the lights?

I want to go inside them,

your cute twinkling eyes.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #170, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #quote #quotes #writing #creativewriting #writer #writers #author #authors #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art

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Love Sprouts Like Flowers


Love sprouts like flowers.

Bees and diseases want us.

Live. Reproduce? Die.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #169, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #poet #writing #creativewriting #writer #author #novel #novels #fiction #nonfiction #artist #art #love #romance

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Each Word Blooms Stories


Each word blooms stories.

Writing to fill my blank spots.

A cure and my joy.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #168, 10/2/2018 –

#haiku #haikus #haikupoem #haikupoems #poem #poems #poetry #writing #creativewriting #art #novels #fiction #nonfiction #books

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Filed under Haiku, Poems, Writing

Secure Me But Don’t Lock Me.


My wings are dying.

Secure me but don’t lock me.

Let’s fly together.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #167, 10/2/2018 –

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You Are So Precious


You are so precious.

Don’t ever think otherwise.

Flowers bloom from dirt.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #157, 9/18/2018 –

I dedicate this poem to all of you. Keep your heads up!!! The flowers are from the farmers market in Hilo, Hawaii on 9/22/2018.

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #quote #quotes #art #creativewriting #writing #books #novels #nonfiction #love #life #positivemindset #mentalhealth #positivelife #positiveliving #joy #happiness #mindfulness #gratitude #flowers #orchids #hilo #hawaii

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Filed under Books, Creative Writing, Gratitude, Haiku, Happiness, Life, Life Coach, Love, Mindfulness, Poems, Positive Living, Quotes, Writing

White Fluffy Carpet


White fluffy carpet.

It shot us up to the sky.

Screaming pain and joy.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #164, 9/25/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Lions Talk to Me


Lions talk to me.

Beasts who guard the gates of death.

Heroes just hear roars.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #163, 9/23/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poems #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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We Burn Much Hotter


Bombs fall around us.

You hold me. It’s not scary.

We burn much hotter.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #162, 9/23/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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This Story Lives On


Like an eighties song,

you can’t throw away my heart.

This story lives on.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #161, 9/23/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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You said, “We were dead.”


We talk in silence.

Closer than when we were real.

You said, “We were dead.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #160, 9/23/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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At Night They Gain Ground


At night they gain ground.

Meditate to my music.

I still hear footsteps.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #159, 9/23/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Music Plays A Huge Role In My Life!


Music plays a huge role in my life. I listen to songs with happy hooks and beats, especially electronic dance music to keep my myself happy and positive and when exercising. Classical and relaxing instrumental music is what I listen to when writing legal documents and researching laws. I like fun music when researching and writing business documents and nonfiction projects. When I write my novels and poems, I enjoy romantic and sad songs so I can bring out the emotions in the characters and dramatic scenes, then I switch to uplifting songs for the happy scenes. Here, I’m wearing my wireless Beats headset from my friend Ryan Sanada in my office with the plumeria flowers in the background. There’s also coconut trees behind the plumeria tree, all very relaxing to look at while I work!

#music #songs #edm #electronicdancemusic #beats #beatsheadphones #headset #headphones #work #law #business #writing #research #fiction #novels #poems #nonfiction #entrepreneurship #office #plumeria #flowers #coconuttrees #oahu #hawaii #mindfulness

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Filed under Business, Creative Writing, Electronic Dance Music, Mindfulness, Music, Poems, Pop Music, Writing

You Are So Precious


You are so precious.

Don’t ever think otherwise.

Flowers bloom from dirt.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #157, 9/18/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Filed under Creative Writing, Haiku, Peace, Poems, Writing

Condolence Speech for Bishop Yubun Narashiba


Condolence Speech for Bishop Yubun Narashiba

Bishop Yubun Narashiba had a huge presence at Jodo Mission of Hawaii. Huge presence. On March 3, 1985, he became a reverend here at the Betsuin.  On September 1, 1987, he was assigned to Koloa Jodo Mission in Kauai. He returned back here at the Betsuin on November 1, 1997.  Bishop Narashiba served as our temple’s religious leader and a member of our board of directors.  He was also serving as Bishop of the Hawaii Council of Jodo Missions since September 16, 2017, the religious leader of our statewide organization.  This last go around was Bishop Narshiba’s second stint as our Bishop since he was also Bishop from September 1999 to September 2003.

I’ve known of Bishop Narashiba since I was a boy coming here at Jodo Mission of Hawaii with my grandpa Maurice Karamatsu, grandma Bessie Karamatsu and my immediate family. I became closer with him as a young adult after I became a member of the Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Board of Directors in 2006 as First Vice President, taking my grandma Bessie Karamatsu’s board seat after her passing that year. I got to work even closer with Bishop Narashiba after I became president of this organization in January of 2011.

What was really impressive about Bishop Narashiba was his ability to do so many things from religious services, welcoming members and guests, office and administrative work, handiwork to fix minor repairs on our premises, labor work by helpings us set up and breaking down our otoba for obon service and our yagura for bon dance, traveling to Japan to for training or to meet with leadership at Jodo Shu headquarters, representing our organization at the Hawaii Buddhist Council with leaders of other sects of Buddhism, and attending community events.

Like many of you, it’s hard to believe Bishop Yubun Narashiba passed away.  He was still young, and it happened so suddenly.  I feel like he’s going to step up to the podium right now and speak to us with his warm smile.  In many ways, he’s still with us because he left such a wonderful impression on us.  He lived with compassion, empathy, the Eightfold Path, and all the Buddhist teachings.  He lived it.  Besides being with us spiritually, his legacy is also all around us. When you see all the wonderful improvements of our temple, social hall, and apartment building, think of Bishop Narashiba. He played a large role in fixing and beautifying our facilities.

Bishop Narashiba lived by example through his love and compassion.  We are so lucky to have experienced the time we had with him.

Bishop Narashiba, thank you so much for being a part of our lives.  Aloha.

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Take the energy from your suffering to boost the power of your creativity.


Take the energy from your suffering to boost the power of your creativity.

#writing #thoughts #quote #quotes #mindset #positivemindset #positivity #positiveliving #mentalhealth #negativity #creativity #positiveenergy #motivation

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Filed under Creativity, Mental Health, Motivation, Writing

I want to go home.


Jane, what a feeling.

Mary, take my pain away.

I want to go home.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #155, 8/31/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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I will find you – love


Either here or there.

Maybe after we are dead.

I will find you – love.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #154, 8/31/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing #love

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My Dear, I’m Still Here


My dear, I’m still here.

Breathe. Feel the air. See the clouds.

Sun rays hugging you.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #153, 8/31/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing #love

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Yes, I’m Almost Back.


Almost back to life.

A grin. Even a few laughs.

Yes, I’m almost back.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #152, 8/30/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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A Place We Found Love


Stumbling in the snow.

I follow the sounds of joy.

A place we found love.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #151, 8/30/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Shouldn’t Life Be Fun?


We were once children.

If it’s not a game, why play?

Shouldn’t life be fun?

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #150, 8/30/2018 –

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Serious Writing


Here’s a great article on what serious writers do to get their writing done.

1. Show up regularly.
2. Get started, no matter how inspired they’re feeling.
3. Think on paper.
4. Get bored, and understand it’s part of the process.
5. Meet their deadlines no matter the hardship or duress.

https://www.copyblogger.com/serious-writers/

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I Just Want Your Dot


Two dots and their line.

Circles connecting circles.

I just want your dot.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #149, 8/20/2018 –

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The Rest Is Bonus


I picked a flower.

It’s all I have at this time.

The rest is bonus.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #147, 8/11/2018 –

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Friends


I took the bus into Waikiki and got off a couple of blocks away from my destination, the Moana Surfrider Hotel. The only thing I had with me was a little black tote bag. Upon arriving at the hotel, I went through the main entrance and out onto the lanai in the back where I paused to absorb the red and orange sun setting into the ocean. I don’t know what was causing me to sweat more, the humidity or my anticipation. I proceeded to the outdoor restaurant covered by a huge tree. I sat at a table to side of the stage that had a large umbrella top covering. A blonde waitress with wavy hear tied in the back came to take my order.

“Hi, is Kanae performing tonight?” I inquired.

Her smile subsided. “Oh I’m sorry. Not tonight. Kainani is dancing.”

“Hmm, I guess I made a mistake. I’ll take a guava juice.”

In a few minutes the waitress returned with my beverage. I drank it down quickly and closed my bill. A part of me was relieved. I strolled out of the dining area and to the beach. I sat on the warm sand. The rhythmic waves of the ocean was soothing to listen to. The clouds hovering had turned pink, one of my favorite things to see.

“Ken,” said a female voice. I turned behind and saw Kanae standing just a few feet away with a grin. She was wearing a white dress with a black sash tied around her waist and white and beige sandals. She was definitely not performing hula tonight.

“Hey,” was the only sound that I could blurt back in response.

“Is it okay if I join you?”

“Sure.”

Kanae sat by me. We both faced the ocean. “It’s been awhile,” she said.

“Yes, about a year. How did you know I was here on the beach?” I asked.

“I had a meeting in the hotel lobby. I saw you walk by. Did you have something here?”

“No. I mean yes. Uh. Actually, I came here to see you dance.”

“Really?” She was now gleaming. “I’m off tonight.”

“I know. The waitress told me.” I reached into my tote bag and pulled out a cardboard item that had numbers on it and the colors red, green, yellow, and white. “Here’s the game piece that you forgot at my party a year ago.”

She laughed. “You came all the way out here to give me a game piece.”

I chuckled. “Well partly. Also, I want you to know that I think about you, and you still have a friend.”

Her eyes swelled up with tears. She moved in and hugged me tightly with her head on my shoulders.

“I’m so happy,” she whispered.

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

Two pink clouds descended and floated in front of us and above the blue ripples of the ocean.

#fiction #creativewriting #writing #friends #friendship

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That’s When She Appeared


Reality died.

I re-wrote the way it ends.

That’s when she appeared.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #146, 8/10/2018 –

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It Hurts to See Them


Pinkish white petals.

Please blow the last ones away.

It hurts to see them.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #145, 8/8/2018 –

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