The Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

So, week two. Where do I even begin? It's been one hell of a roller coaster ride so far. Constantly on the move, meeting new people, exploring all that the Big Island has to offer. I'd be lying if I said we weren't exhausted at this point but don't get me wrong, there's no negative connotation to that statement here. We've finally settled down (somewhat) here at the end of the week and now it's time to reflect. This post would be far too long if I told you about everything that we experienced so I'll just present some highlights. My personal favorites.

Personal, inner development has been a constant theme of this trip since we got here. We've been going through "The Artist's Way" every day, following the schedule and performing the exercises and this week we really got hit with something special (or should I say someone). Tracy Matfin is her name. One of the founding members of La Akea Gardens Intentional Community. She is truly a wonderful human being, a blessing to this world if there ever was one. She spent two days with us this week going over the concept of Non Violent Communication (NVC for short). The road to self realization, to maturity, is never an easy one. There are many, MANY, bumps along the way. It requires a complete devotion to progress, to self, a willingness to shed old belief systems, and most of all it requires courage. The combination of "The Artist's Way" and NVC has been immensely helpful on this journey and in my own life. It hasn't been pretty, but it's been necessary and already I feel myself becoming a better person. I'm learning how to love myself and others in a way that is genuine and healthy. Look into it, folks. You won't regret it.

Next I want to talk about another truly inspirational person that we met this week: Uncle Jerry Konanui.We spent an entire day with Uncle Jerry learning how to cultivate and process Awa (aka Kava), a very relaxing and traditional Hawaiian drink that I have personally developed a very strong fondness to. There's nothing else like it, man. Try it. There's something to be said of the value that manual labor holds too. That first drink after hours of work was so rewarding, dudes and dudettes, like I can still taste it. And Jerry himself? One of my favorite people on this entire planet I swear. When I think of a genuine, Hawaiian elder I think of Uncle Jerry. So full of knowledge and wisdom. Stories for days. When he talks everyone listens. He just radiates this sense of calm that is rare to find these days. Truly one of a kind.

So there ya have it. There's my blog post. Until next time! Hope all you lovely readers enjoyed my input. Much Aloha to you all.

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