Mahalo ke Akua literally means “thanks be to God.” If you’re like me, sometimes I look back at my life and marvel at the fact I even survived. How did I get out of some of my circumstances alive and (somewhat) stable? Then it makes me think of all the people who helped along the way, all of the choices I made… and I see how God always had a plan, and when I take the time to be grateful, I see all he did.
Choosing mahalo (gratitude) can change our lives.
God never leaves us
God always had a way for me to succeed. Whenever I made choices, I felt alone. But I reminded myself of the tender mercies he gave to me on a daily basis and I knew I was not alone.
I became stronger, more empathetic, more compassionate, and more patient through my trials. I also had moments of joy and peace. God compensated me with people who raised my spirits and reached out in genuine friendship. Mahalo ke Akua, I’d always think to myself.
These words stuck, not because they’re easy to say, but because of the meaning behind them. When we take the time to express thanks, our perspective changes. It becomes easier to see the good in all things.
In high school, I conducted a song for my graduating class, called “Thanks be to God.” It was a simple Protestant song, but the meaning sank deep in my heart, especially these words, “Thanks be to God for love divine, the hopes that ‘round my heart entwine, for all the joy that now is mine, thanks be to God.”
Mahalo ke Akua for the ocean to provide comfort, for the food we have, for the rain that nourishes the earth, for the sun to shine benevolently, for our families, for the good people in our lives, for the challenges we face, and for the blessings we are so generously given…
Mahalo ke Akua for life
These words have helped me immensely through any of my trials. As I express gratitude for all that I have, even my challenges, my mind is enlightened, I am content, and I have more peace.
This year and always, remember these simple words. Mahalo ke Akua. Be thankful for your life, for the people in your life, for your home, for your health, for the creations on this earth.
I wanted to include the words to the song, “Thanks be to God.” Whether you are alone or with family or friends this Thanksgiving, I hope these words give you encouragement and peace. Mahalo ke Akua.
Thanks be to God for roses rare,
For skies of blue and sunshine fair;
For ev’ry gift I raise a prayer,
Thanks be to God!
Thanks be to God for lovely night,
For mystic fields with stars bedight,
For hours of dream and deep delight,
Thanks be to God!
Thanks be to God for love divine,
The hopes that ‘round my heart entwine;
For all the joy that now is mine,
Thanks be to God!
Thanks be to God for all the joy that now is mine,
Thanks be to God!
Write your thoughts daily
I truly believe that the more we express and record the things we’re grateful for, the more miracles and blessings we see each day. I created a Mahalo Ke Akua gratitude journal to help us get into the habit of recording what we’re grateful for daily. I hope this helps you on your journey to living mahalo! 🙂
Ho’omau is the Hawaiian word encouraging us to carry on. It means to be steady, constant, enduring, persevering, and unceasing.
Those who ho’omau do not give up, especially when the going gets hard. They know that, in most cases, the best things in life are not easily won.
Those who live ho’omau are resilient against opposition. They don’t worry about what others say to them or about them. They are focused on their goals, knowing that they can do it with faith in God and balance in their lives. At the same time, they know that some things require sacrifice, but the reward will be worth it.
The Ho’omau Challenge
Is there something you started that you just haven’t been able to finish? Is there something you need to carry on from? Are you in a situation that requires endurance? Is there a goal you want to reach that others say is impossible?
The Ho’omau challenge can help you overcome these self doubts, and even self abuse. By learning how to set goals and make plans to reach them, you can learn what it means to be steady and constant, no matter what challenges might come your way. This is a very broad overview of setting goals. I go more into depth on setting goals in my course, which will be available for purchase soon! 🙂
In your journal, separate your page into four categories: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental.
List no more than 3 goals under each category, making sure that they are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based). For example, you might write “eat healthier,” which is a great goal BUT is it measurable? A more measurable goal might be, “Eat at least 2 fruits and vegetables per day for the next two weeks.”
Make plans to accomplish each goal, meaning now is the time to open up your planner and write when and how you will make it to your goals.
Create a vision board or write your goals on a sheet of paper. Place this somewhere you can see it so that you 1) won’t forget and 2) will be encouraged each time you glance at it. You got this!
Extra: My Story
Ho’omau is one of my favorite words… like. ever (ok, besides my husband’s name). The reason is that it is full of so much meaning, and it holds so many stories—for me and for many others. I had to carry on from so many things in my life.
I hear stories all of the time of people who gathered the strength to carry on: a once-nobody rising from the darkness to become a somebody, whether an athlete, a singer, a writer, etc.
Ho’omau is exactly that, but it doesn’t have to be that huge. I’ve talked to many women and men who have suffered terrible trauma. Their ability to come out of depression, mental illness, and leave toxic relationships always inspires me. Their commitment to ho’omau is AMAZING.
I give myself credit too. I feel like I literally rose from ashes. It’s been a long journey for me: from being super poor, with little to no family support, and just totally mentally crushed to who I am today. I am so grateful for my challenges, and I’m especially grateful for ho’omau: the constant willpower telling me to keep going, the little bits of energy I would get as I looked at my goals, and the power I felt from accomplishing what I’d set out to do.
‘Imi ola literally means “seek, hunt, or search the highest, wellbeing, and life,” but the broader application is to seek the highest in life. Each person is constantly learning but the key with ‘imi ola is to actively search out and choose the best things in life.
Those who live ‘imi ola know how to balance knowledge with wisdom. They have personal beliefs and convictions, which they allow to guide their lives. They view every interaction with others as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Seeking ‘imi ola is a continual process of seeking the highest, such as a higher way of thinking, of doing tasks, or of learning. Though some tasks may feel like an impossible mountain to climb, remember that every step taken brings you closer and closer to your goal.
Those who live ‘imi ola also know that learning is easier when there is someone to guide the way. They find mentors who challenge, encourage, and support them in their endeavors.
The ‘Imi Ola Challenge
Is there a skill or talent that you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance, the time, or even the finances? With the internet, you can learn anything nowadays, from playing the piano, learning a new language, or trying a new recipe.
The first part of the challenge encourages you to find something new that will expand your knowledge or find something that you already love and make a goal to improve in it.
The second part of the ‘Imi Ola challenge is to find a mentor. This mentor can be someone to guide you along your spiritual or emotional journey, or someone to teach you a new skill or trade.
Share Your Story
Every person has a unique story, and we’d love to hear yours! How have you felt while doing this challenge? Was there anything that was challenging to you? Was there anything that truly inspired you? Be sure to share in our Hawaii Vibe Tribe Facebook group or use the hashtag #HIVibe on your social media! Replying and commenting on others is also another wonderful way to keep the vibe HI!
Mahalo is more than just being grateful for something. It is an attitude of gratitude. I’ve come to learn that some of the happiest people I know are the most grateful people. They seem to see the situation differently: It’s raining outside? What a blessing to the earth! Someone is bullying? They probably have a lot going on in their life.
Those who have an attitude of gratitude, who live mahalo, know that this life is temporary. Things happen. People make mistakes, plans don’t always happen the way they’re supposed to, and life is full of ups and downs. Those who live mahalo express gratitude in the hardest of times and the happiest of times. They are grateful for their challenges, knowing that they will become stronger.
Our life experience is a lot like people who walk through an art gallery. Some people look at the artwork close up, scrutinizing the texture or pointing out flaws. Some people totally miss certain pieces of art, walking past to the next canvas in hopes of something that will catch their attention. But those who live mahalo see and experience every picture. Even when some parts of the picture are dimmed out, they find another aspect of the picture to appreciate. They recognize that some paintings have flaws, but they appreciate those flaws as a part of the whole painting and they shouldn’t be ignored. They take their time on each painting, viewing the bigger picture.
Take a moment to be still. Ask yourself, When was the last time I truly appreciated someone? Perhaps it was earlier that day. Maybe it was a week or month ago. Each person expresses appreciation in different ways. Some people write and deliver notes, some people opt to texting or talking over the phone. Some people just never show their gratitude. Evaluate where you are and write down one goal of something you can change to show more gratitude.
Record Your Journey
I truly believe that if you ponder, notice, and record the things you’re grateful for, it will help you see even more blessings and miracles in your daily life. It will also become a habit, and a habit of gratitude is a great way to improve our character and confidence.
I created a Mahalo Ke Akua gratitude journal, a journal to help you record things you’re grateful for daily. Record in the morning, evening, before or after prayers, or whenever you want! This is your gratitude journey. 🙂
Mahalo has been one of my greatest lifesavers. If it weren’t for an attitude of gratitude, I sometimes wonder if I’d even be here today. When I moved to Utah for two years to obtain a teaching license, I struggled to make friends. I was so different from other people, and the constant questions about why I left Hawaii made me feel very lonely. I felt like people didn’t want me there, but I knew I had to keep going because I wanted to be successful. But, more than that, I just wanted to be happy.
My efforts to be happy started within myself. I kept a daily journal, in which I poured out all my emotions and frustrations. I shared my raw feelings, but before I closed up my laptop, I always made sure to express gratitude, especially to God.
Mahalo ke Akua, I always wrote. Thanks be to God that I have a place to stay, food to eat, a job, and that I’m getting by just fine. My life has been filled with so much joy because of this attitude. I know that I can’t get on without Him, and I know that all of my blessings are the tender gifts of a loving Heavenly Father.
Mahalo ke Akua. I hope you can find that attitude of gratitude and allow it to change your life too! Can’t wait to hear more of how you’re doing with the challenge so be sure to share your thoughts in the Facebook group!
Lōkahi means unity, oneness, and harmony. Those who perfect the art of lōkahi are not afraid of others. In fact, they embrace the differences of others, knowing that people work best when they listen, seek understanding, and come up with the best solution together.
Together is the word that encompasses the spirit of lōkahi. Nature shows us a pattern of working together, as birds fly against the wind in the beautiful shape of the letter V. Dolphins swim in pods, allowing the young ones to swim in the center for protection. Ecosystems work in harmony to produce rain, sunshine, and oxygen, which provide the necessities of life. This is lōkahi.
On a human level, lōkahi is fostering an environment of complete cooperation, where every person in a group recognizes and supports the best decision for everyone. It is, as Stephen Covey describes, a win-win situation. There are no losers with lōkahi; every player of the team works together with the same goal in mind, knowing that each role, no matter the size, is greatly important.
The Lōkahi Challenge
Lōkahi is all about building trustworthy relationships through listening and understanding. It is also having courage to share your own thoughts, trusting that as you are respectful, you will be respected. It is being strong enough to put aside your own prejudices and beliefs to synergize with others and reach powerful solutions.
To begin this challenge, consider whether the following statements are True or False for yourself.
I always have to be in charge or nothing gets done.
I hate team/group projects because nobody does their part.
I work better by myself—that’s just how I am.
I am a quiet person and everybody bosses me around because of it.
I can’t ever share my opinions because people never agree with me.
I have my own goals and don’t need other people to hold me accountable.
After answering true or false for each of these, carefully evaluate the answers that you marked as TRUE. What do these statements say about your beliefs? Do you believe that you are better off working alone? Do you believe that YOU are the only person with all of the answers?
The lōkahi challenge is rigorous, but it will dramatically improve the way you work with others. Try it for one week
1. In any interaction you have with others, make an effort to listen empathetically.
2. If you have some kind of a conflict with another person, make a conscious effort to change the energy through ho’oponopono. If it is someone you interact with regurlarly, such as a spouse, make the effort to share your feelings and don’t point fingers.
3. Write in your journal a list of the relationships you are grateful for, then ask yourself what needs to change in order for the relationships to be strengthened. Do you gossip with one of these people? Do you tend to talk negatively with one of these people? What can you do to change that negativity to become inspiring and uplifting?
Share Your Story
Every person has a unique story, and we’d love to hear yours! How have you felt while doing this challenge? Was there anything that was challenging to you? Was there anything that truly inspired you? Be sure to share in our Hawaii Vibe Tribe Facebook group or use the hashtag #HIVibe on your social media! Replying and commenting on others is also another wonderful way to keep the vibe HI!
Much love,
Lei
Extra: My Story
I’ve always been independent. I’ve never relied on others for help, truly believing that if I didn’t get a certain task done, then it would never get done. I learned quickly that my parents would provide me the necessities of life: food, shelter, but other things like emotional support was a 50/50 gamble.
Because of the inconsistencies I witnessed growing up, I never fully learned to trust people. I would work well with others, usually “losing” through not saying anything, letting people boss me around, not offering my ideas, or just having my own personal goals to accomplish and not letting the group know. Whenever I had group projects, I groaned in anger because I knew that I would always “lose” and end up doing all the work.
However, I began to realize that there IS a better way. I’ve truly learned lōkahi from my husband. Even before we got married he expressed how he wanted to always be in agreement. He said he always wanted to be on the same page, meaning we support each other in our personal and couple goals, we make big decisions together, and we always, always communicate. Having this open discussion and making lōkahi a priority in our marriage has made our lives so much easier and our marriage so much stronger.
I learned that it’s ok to work with other people and that I don’t always have to LOSE. There are win-win relationships, and the more I learned to listen empathetically, the more I am able to achieve win-win with groups. It’s not perfect—people have to want to work together as well, but every effort you make will help your relationships, including your relationship with yourself.
Now go out and bring more unity in your relationships. You got this!
E komo mai! 🌺 I am the author of Aloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. My blog, Naturally Aloha, focuses on all things Hawaii: culture, values, food, lifestyle, and more. I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Learn more…
Get my debut novel, “Aloha State of Mind”
Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more!
Check out my Hawaiian Epic Fantasy, “Rise of the Manō”
