It is knowing that there is a God, whom we owe everything to. I heard someone once say that “It would be disrespectful to God if I were ungrateful.” Mahalo is recognizing + trusting in God, that his plan and ways are greater than our own. It is knowing that he, as the creator, has given us all these things and supports us, even from one breath to another.
When it rains, as it frequently does in Hawaii, our hearts are always full of gratitude. As the sun shines, we are grateful. When we go to the beach and swim, feel the warmth of the waves, and interact with the sea animals, our hearts are full of gratitude. When we go to the mountains and hear the birds sing, the wind whistle through the trees, and the lava flowing continuously, we are grateful.
Mahalo ke Akua. Thanks be to God.
Swimming in the middle of the ocean
When I was about 16 years old, I went to a summer program called Na Pua No’eau. There were different groups in this program but my group was especially meaningful to me, because I love the ocean. We learned how to man and sail the wa’a, the Hawaiian canoe. We learned the basics of reading the stars, how to tie the knots, and how to show respect to the canoe, the ocean, and to one another.
One day, we sailed out past Hilo bay. I was so excited for this, because we’d only stayed in the bay to practice sailing, and I knew it was nothing like being out in the great wide ocean.
As we broke free of the Hilo bay wall, the ocean loomed for miles: deep, blue, wise. We sailed quite a ways, the view of Hilo bayfront looking like a postcard in the distance.
Our captain let us take a jump in the water, which we willingly did to cool off. As I floated in the middle of the ocean, knowing the water went down for miles below me and around me, I realized how tiny I was. What mother Teresa said was true, that we are just “a drop in the ocean.”
Who knew what creatures lurked in the water beneath me, or how deep it went? The water was an intense dark blue, and when I turned my body to look out at the horizon, it stretched on forever.
I felt so vulnerable. So small. My body totally exposed in this sea of unknown, my legs dangling into the unknown. It was terrifying. And, yet… so humbling.
Even though I was this tiny human being—that was so fragile physically and emotionally, that could be swallowed up in this deep blue by the water or by some creature, that I was just one person in a world of billions of people—I still mattered.
The Great Paradox
That is the great paradox… that even though we are “nothing” in comparison to the grandeur and glory of all God’s creations, we are still everything to him. We are still his greatest and grandest creation.
This perspective changed my life. God has given us everything, and yet we are nothing. God loves us with all he has, and yet we only give him back a portion of our thanks and gratitude.
To complete the quote by Mother Teresa, she said: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
We all matter. And, most importantly, we matter to God. Of all the things he’s given us, our time and life here is a precious gift.
We are each a part of the picture.
We all have a contribution to make.
We’re all needed.
Knowing this changed my heart. Mahalo ke Akua. Thanks be to God for all the life he gives us—the world around us, people, and even the magnificence of our own bodies. When we realize how tiny and seemingly insignificant we are in the world, we learn the value of mahalo.
Here are some other ways to live mahalo.
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Go out in nature
Nature is one of the world’s greatest teachers. There is no rebellion in the spirit of nature and animals. As a young adult returning to the Big Island, I used to swim laps at my favorite beach every morning, sometimes passing turtles.
The turtles taught me many valuable lessons… not that they did anything special, but their spirits were special. Their behavior, their grace, their patience taught me things I needed to do and change in my life.
Let the stars, the trees, the moon, the animals, and the sun—let nature—teach you.
Have an attitude of gratitude
It’s so easy to look at your life and see the things you lack. If someone else has a product or “thing” then we seem to immediately want that. We grow sad when we can’t get the things we want, when, really, we should be looking at what we do have.
One of the best things I’ve done for myself, especially growing up in poverty and experiencing abuse, was to look at the things I did have: I didn’t have money or control over my family situation, but I had creativity, a good brain, and the value of ho’ohana, doing meaningful work. I was so grateful for those things I had—though not physical “things.” This attitude of gratitude helped me get out of my darkest times.
Encourage selflessness in your life
I watched a video once that said ingratitude is a result of selfishness: We think we deserve more. We think we’re better than others. We think others don’t deserve what they have.
What if, instead of thinking only of ourselves, we thought more of others?
How can I serve them?
How can I be happy for them?
When we focus on service, our lives become more joyful. Serving helps us be grateful for the things we do have: our knowledge, our life, our people.
Mahalo ke Akua – Thanks be to God
Saying a prayer of thanks, and then showing our appreciation to God through our actions are powerful ways to live mahalo. Thanks be to God for the wonderful opportunity we have to live each day.
I know sometimes it’s hard to find something to be grateful for. Sometimes we think we have to dig deep to find gratitude. But it can become habitual, and the more grateful we are, the more blessings and miracles we see.
I created this Mahalo ke Akua gratitude journal to inspire you to write and reflect daily on the things you’re grateful for. With practice, this book can blossom your gratitude into a beautiful habit, a habit that no longer requires a book to record!
Mahalo for being here!
There are so many ways to implement the value of mahalo in your life. I’m sure if you’ve visited Hawaii, it feels good when people tell you mahalo. You feel appreciated. You feel seen.
Let’s give our thanks to God by living an attitude of gratitude for ourselves and all around us. We can do this!
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! 🙂
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!
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…
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