Issue 2: Finding Aloha 🌺☀️
Finding the simple nuggets of happiness in Hawaii
Hey everyone!
It’s been five months since I moved to the beautiful island of Hawaii, specifically Oahu. When I initially moved here from Guam, there were many things that I was hoping to find the answers to on my journey around the world. Most importantly – what makes people happy.
I spent the last several months asking that question to people and exploring that more for myself. I’ve come to learn that:
The root and definition of happiness all have an origin story – the seed. For most people that seed is planted by family.
There are three core values that will shape your outlook on life and what it means to be happy. These serve as the root that keeps you grounded when life around you becomes chaotic.
Happiness is constantly changing.
It also pairs nicely with a Nutella banana waffle.
Stability, money, family, and adventure. Who are we to say what’s right or wrong for the other person? We’re all driven by different experiences and it reaffirmed that wandering thought in my mind – what is it that makes me feel like I’m living? Is it sitting with others and discussing these deep questions over some Korean pancakes and dumplings? Is it reading about them in novels and memoirs? Is it going out and experiencing nature?
There’s so much magic that surrounds you, and you’ll notice the subtleties in that when you first slow down. For the first time in a VERY long time, I did just that – let my hair down and danced in the rain at Hawaii’s Finest Music Festival. It was the first time in a very long time that I allowed myself to enjoy the company of others, or even attend an event. Maoli ended the night with one last song, and in perfect timing, a cloud of rain showered all of us from head to toe. There was magic watching everyone’s unwavering spirit dance and sing, throwing off their jackets and ponchos just to be that made me feel that there was some light that came from the darkness of the 2020 pandemic. Sometimes the simple answer to finding happiness is being complete in the present.
As I continue my journey to “Finding Happy,” I’m curious to know what makes the top three on your list.
Much love,
Akina
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