Beach Walk 773 – The Currency of Happiness

What makes you happy? Is that an abstract thing that comes before or after you have money? Not only do we get to choose what makes us happy, I would say it is our duty to know, and then make it so!

Can you tell I am going for extreme brevity recently? I am conscious of the time-stress factor – heaven knows I have been grappling with that one for years! Now though, I realize that the energy can transmit as much or more than the actual words. So I intend to embed a quality of experience in these episodes, and to merely suggest a line of thought, a direction of feeling, so we can each carry it forward to the degree we wish. PLUS, we can have a more detailed discussion here or on Facebook!

Of course the silent messenger is that you must have money to have happiness. Or that you must choose between the two. Isn’t it crazy how we humans can concoct so many strong yet conflicting imperatives? To me, it is all just currency. The main point is to know what makes each of us happy! Because that is the energy that attracts all kinds of other good stuff to us, and generates all kinds of good outflows from us too. My friend Sylvia recently wrote a blog post, Happiness is Good for Your Website. She took a delightful and no-nonsense approach to the business basis for this, and the article itself literally bubbles over, for me, with the energy of happiness!

As I share the ever-developing “Beach Walks Philosophy,” one of the key goals is to unplug from so many old, rote beliefs that in fact rob us of being happy in the here and now of 2012. I lived under the shadow of that money is evil thing for decades until I realized everything simply has the energy I give it.

Hawaiian Word:
Hauʻoli: happy

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photo of Rox and Lexi on Beach Walk 773 - The Currency of Happiness

Beach Walk 771 – Life is a play ground, not a proving ground

This is a playground! It’s OK to be you now, try new things, break down old systems – you are entitled to be here and you have nothing to prove.

How much energy would you save if you were not having to prove things – to yourself or to others. How much easier would it be, to just be you? What sort of ideas would flow to you and how easy would they be to execute if your mind was not second-guessing you on a regular basis? You have nothing to prove. As for others approving you, also not necessary. Just a few ideas to play with this week, another installment of the Beachwalks Philosophy!

Love to you, from Maui,

Rox

Hawaiian Word
Kahua: playground, foundation

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Beachwalks 770 – Memorial Day in the Pacific, Revisited

This Memorial Day rerun is one of our favorites. It has a timeless message and Shane’s shooting and editing is evocative and powerful.

We originally filmed this episode for Memorial Day in 2006. But it clearly stands out as a timeless message, and represents the true essence of Beach Walks – even though it was not filmed on a beach! It was completely unscripted, no shot list, we just showed up and worked as fast as we could before the sun set. Sometimes, you know the universe is on your side. Today’s show was filmed at the Hawaii Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. 50,000 leis were donated, and over 100 young Scouts placed a lei and a flag on each gravestone. I was quite stirred to be in the presence of death while smelling the sweet scent of plumeria lei. Though most of those buried here are from modern wars, this “punchbowl” of an ancient volcano was the site of Hawaiian aliʻi burials and human sacrifice of those who violated the kapu or taboos. May all who died suffering, rest in peace today.

If this military topic resonates with you, may I suggest our 7-episode series filmed on the USS Nimitz, where Rox, a former anti-Vietnam war protester, spends the night with 4500 US Navy sailors and air force fighter pilots.

Hawaiian words:
Puowaina: hill of sacrifice
Kaua: war
Kapu: taboo
Maluhia: peace

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Beachwalk 769 – Get Off Your Case

I laid out my to do lists and got some crazy math! It helped me understand why I am behind on a few things. Note to self: I realized that the more I stay off my case the more I get done!

Have you noticed this explosion of opportunity and possibility? Well it brings along with it “a lot of stuff to do.” In fact the easier something is, the more likely I am to put it on a list somewhere. This is creating some fun challenges in the time-space continuum however. Translation: I sometimes get behind and my personal goals get shoved into tomorrow. Writing it all out and seeing the math on paper made a big impact on me! So much so, that I found time with my Secret Cameraman and Lexi to record this video note to self: get off your case about being “behind” and keep resetting priorities.

Why does that matter? Because for me life is all about the energy. I’ve learned that criticism only slows me down. If I am down in the dumps, I am not energized or creative – you know, those attributes that help me get things done. There is also this magical side benefit. When I am all lit up, I see many things that I don’t have to do anymore – they just get handled “in my absence.” #HowCoolIsThat?

OK, so what is your secret sauce for staying ahead of (or letting go of) those 21st century wish lists aka to do lists?

Hawaiian Word
Hoʻomāmā – to lighten up

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Beach Walk 766 – Hawaiian Islands Land Trust

Since moving to Maui, I have become involved with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. Their annual fundraiser is this weekend and we are intend to raise $5000 via online connections so that we qualify for a matching donation of another $5000! Watch the video then keep reading!

HILT has secured a matching donor. If we can raise $5000 in online donations by January 28th, the donor will match us with another $5000. I think we can, but alas, it is going to be up to all of us to get this done. Please donate here now.
donate now to the Hawaii Island Land Trust via PayPal

This is your chance to double your gift and help preserve those precious Hawaii scenic lands and beaches. Please watch the video – there is even a clip of Lexi Dogg at the end, chasing her ball in our back yard. Mahalo nui BeachWalks fans – I am counting on you to share your love of Hawaii with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust – and make a donation by 5 pm HST Saturday, January 28th! And follow me on Twitter Saturday as I will be at the event – a special luau at Old Lahaina Luau in Lahaina! Please support the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust – do it for Lexi!

Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook Saturday as I will be sharing the amazing luay festivities with you! @roxannedarling and facebook.com/beachwalks.

Friend them on Flicker to see more beautiful photos of reserved lands throughout Hawaii.

Hawaiian Word:
Kuleana – responsibility

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