Category Archives: Gratitude
Bidding You Aloha but Not Goodbye 6
Aloha Is More Than a Word
You hear it frequently in Hawaii, but it is so much more than just a word we use. People use it as a greeting or to say goodbye, but not when we talk about spreading aloha. Aloha is a way of life many strive to reach. It involves showing kindness, compassion, and empathy to others in big and small ways. It is about showing love and respect.
I believe in spreading aloha, and I cannot honestly say that my blogging has been an effective tool for doing so. That is why the focus of this blog has changed.
Aloha Tower. Located at the dock where visitors were greeted with aloha prior to the airport opening.
Finding a Place for Aloha
I find I need to be present more in life. I have learned so much during my twenty-eight months of blogging, and I am grateful for my followers and the handful of people who have continued to read and share my posts. Yet, I know so many others who are more effective.
This is why I have decided to decrease my presence in the autism and anti-bullying on-line communities and concentrate on spreading more aloha. The blog will remain open for any who want to read prior posts including prior guest posts. I will use it for sharing photos and positive quotes and the occasional update on Cal’s story.
Showing Aloha to Others
I will continue to share Special-Ism.com posts on Twitter. I will no longer be writing for them, but I believe there is still a need for their on-line magazine, and I still support their work. Look for positive posts by others there too.
Hopefully, I will find time to finish my second novel, where Mia’s brother, Cal will be living aloha by helping others to change while supporting those with differences.
With aloha,
Sue
RIP Senator Daniel K. Inouye 4
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Yesterday at 12:01 HST, 5:01 EST the world lost a man of honor and integrity. Senator Daniel Inouye was more than just a senator from Hawaii. He was third in line to the United States presidency. He was a true national hero not just because he lost his arm fighting for our country after Pearl Harbor, during a time when America did not trust anyone of Japanese ancestry. He lived aloha and he taught the world the meaning of the term. He was my hero because he championed civil rights for all.
He recently cosponsored the Student Non-Discrimination Act, S. 555. He sent me a letter when I wrote to him through an on-line petition about the bill back in May noting, “our nation’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and requires protection from the law.”
He understood the need for disability rights too although I doubt that he ever saw himself as disabled.
Mahalo Senator for all you did to help make the world a better place.
Kindness, Compassion, and Support Are What the World Needs Now 9
November 13, 1012 is World Kindness Day, a day designated to realize the need for more compassion and kindness. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone observed it and really was kind for one full day? Yes, I am a dreamer, but like John Lennon, I am not the only one. I still believe in the goodness of humanity despite evidence to the contrary. I still dream of a kinder world, and that is why I think it is essential that we teach children how to be kind and how to recognize the difference between kindness and meanness. I will be posting some ideas about how to do this at Special-Ism.com on the fourth.
Overwhelmed By Horror
Last week I became overwhelmed with all of the horror stories of children being murdered, of those making the news for their poor choices, etc. By Friday, I was in overload and finding myself overwhelmed with emotions. I decided to avoid the Internet for a few days.
Then Canada had an earthquake, Hawaii had a tsunami warning and the East Coast was hit by Hurricane Sandy. I needed to escape it all, but I also had to verify my family and friends were safe, so I checked Facebook, watched the news, and checked Twitter, but much less than normal. I have family in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Massachusetts, and my sister-in-law has a younger sister in New York whose husband works at NYU. I am grateful that they all weathered the storm without injury. One family does have water damage to a beach house on Long Island Beach, but it could have been so much worse and I know it was for many. I am praying for all who are affected by the storm.
Where Are the Heroes?
Even though I am sure there must have been stories of heroes during the storm. I only heard of two. One was of a the premature baby born during the storm, who is doing well. The other was of someone bringing a lady’s cats to her at a shelter. Today, the news media is again reporting stories that break my heart, like fights over gas and a mother’s plead for help that was ignored.
Share Your Stories
I would love to hear the stories about the heroes instead. Are you with me? Do you have stories you want to share? I know I am not the only one who could use some good news. Tweet me with your hero stories.
Delightfully Different Life 