Returning to the place I call "home", the Big Island of Hawai'i, has brought a wonderful feeling to my Soul. Within the first 24 hours of my return I was greeted by old friends who were happy and pleased to see me even though I needed their help. That alone let me know I was in the 'right place'.
Having left this country as a result of the actions of the past federal administration, I spent the last 4 years of my life teaching ESL in the countries of Mexico and Thailand, specifically in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand and lastly on the island of Phuket, Thailand.
Although my experiences spanned a range of energies from everlasting enthusiasm to creativity to clever animation in my teaching, to sheer stubbornness and will power to overcome the 'ugliness' of absolute corruption and all of the negativity it carries, none have been so heartwarming as being recognized by folks who 'knew me when'.
Today when I visited the local State Employment office and had a request that is not usually met, it was suggested that I speak to the manager who immediately remembered me from 10 years ago and allowed me to do a task that is usually not sanctioned. Two days ago, when I went to get some needed medical tests, the nurse remembered me from 1979, when my oldest son, then 9, had been confined to the hospital where she was a new LPN serving in the Pediatrics Unit. Her delight and awe in seeing me again after so many years and her extremely warm hug of ALOHA again confirmed to me "I AM HOME".
In just 3 weeks I have seen those who remember me as a school teacher, a dancer, a mother whom hired them as babysitters, store clerks in grocery stores and clerks in the local post office, all armed with smiles of approval at seeing someone who has returned after a long absence.
The ALOHA of Hawai'i is still alive. Speaking of ALOHA, I would bet that most of you understand it as a greeting given to those who travel to this most 'healing' state of America. Yet it is so very much more than just a word that replaces the "Hello", "Hi", "What's up", "Yo" or any of the other familiar greetings found throughout the 50 states of this country.
The Hawaiian language is full of imagery that reflects the truths of the culture and the awareness of Oneness with the Universe that it always amazes me. So, I will share with you the actual meaning of the word ALOHA as it has been given in the history of the Hawaiian people.
ALOHA means LOVE. The Hawaiian kahunas (priests/famed teachers) were taught the principals of aloha which were kept secret from the general populace until modern times. The following is the meaning of each of the letters of this well known and commonly used word in Hawai'i.
A, ala, watchful alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty
H, ha'aha'a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance
So, it is that as I return to my beloved home, I am aware of the watchful alertness that fills me as I go about my daily business. As I carve my 'niche' once again on this beautiful island I must do so in the Spirit of working in unity with all of those involved with my endeavors. I offer truthful honesty of where I have been and what I have experienced in my journeys in other lands and I do so with the humility of having served as a teacher in those countries, receiving far less pay than if I had been teaching here in America. As I build my life anew here I am blessed with the patient perseverance needed in knowing that all comes to me at the 'right time' and in the 'right way'.
Though I left to escape the dark fear and hatred put into place in the minds of the American people by the past federal administration, the mighty influence of this land still spread that same energy throughout the world and so it tainted the atmosphere of even the countries where I was living and working.
Nonetheless, all of that is in the process of change and I have come home to partake of the 'newness' that we are all experiencing as a result of the bold attitude that exists in our nation's capital.
Coming home to America has been good for me at this time in my life. I am happy, so very happy to be home, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in all of it's might and grace, enveloped in the love of those who remember me and are happy to see me again.
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