Day 2-10 Checking In and Discovering
I've received notes from a few of you on the 29-Day Giving Challenge wondering where I have been and wondering how we were doing "post-tsunami" here in Hawaii. I would like to thank you for your caring and taking the time to write. I am, as some of you may have deduced, traversing a major bump in the road of life currently and as a result have not been feeling physically at my best in general. I am still actively doing the challenge and even as I recognize that blogging increases the benefit of the experience tremendously, I simply haven't had the energy most days to corral my thoughts and commit them to paper -- er, rather to the ether via computer.
In trying to figure out what day of the Challenge I'm on, I came to the realization (my, how time passes when I'm not looking) that I have passed through to the second round of 29-day giving - day 10, no less.
We were staying at the Ala Moana Hotel, most decidedly in the tsunami evacuation zone.. The good news was that we were on the 18th floor and safe the entire time. Our home on the Big Island is at 900 feet elevation and was also not in danger. The bad news was that I had booked a "city view" room to save money. The good news was that I decided to make the most of it and try to switch to an "ocean view" room which they had available that morning! The bad news was the only rooms with real ocean views were the "ocean view suites" for a WHOLE lot more money. I pondered the situation (the hotel registration manager even took me up personally to view the suite first) and ultimately decided this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to actually witness a tsunami up close and personal, so I made the switch. The good news was it was a REALLY GREAT suite with a REALLY GREAT view! The bad news was that the view from our hotel room was exactly the one they were broadcasting continuously on KITV news and the internet. The good news was that although there was officially a tsunami, it was so small, that it never amounted to anything more than some highly abnormal tidal surges and caused absolutely no damage. The bad news is we never got to actually witness anything even remotely reminiscent of a "tidal wave". The good news is we had a wonderful time anyway!
Now, while a pessimist might only focus on or in fact only be able to see the "bad news" aspects, an optimist might choose to focus on the "good news" aspects.This of course, in my mind, begs the following questions. Is anything in life really in and of itself good or bad? What if all the occurrences of our lives are simply what is so and by infusing them with the labels good or bad, right or wrong, should or shouldn't, we skew our perceptions and thereby limit our capacity to fully experience life, it's promise and it's possibilities?
Both of my sons, Evan and Elliott, and I got to watch "Avatar" in 3D at the IMAX theater in Honolulu. (My island hasn't evolved to IMAX just yet). Even though Elliott's prep-tournament on Saturday was cancelled, he still was able to play in the pro-qualifying tournament on Sunday.
I got to go out dancing (by myself - I love dancing and am not in the least intimidated by going out dancing alone) Saturday night at "Rumors", a nightclub located right in the hotel. I had plenty of opportunity to dance that evening, but I discovered that for the most part, unlike where I'm used to going on the Big Island (think little kids on the dance floor with their parents and people dressed in island-style casual wear, including "slippahs"), people in Honolulu don't go out to night clubs (strict dress code, no "slippahs" allowed) for the primary purpose of dancing (imagine!). A lot of my dance moves morphed into boundary declarations. Fortunately, I possess the ability to improvise when necessary.
The roughly 10 or so bouncers (VERY, VERY BIG gentlemen in suits and TIES with little ear wires and communication devices) circled the floor continuously. (Little known fact: Macy's on the Big Island doesn't even sell men's ties because there's so little demand or use for them in Hawaii. One has to go to Walmart -- which I don't do out of principle for the most part -- to buy a tie). I guess I felt reassured, but had to wonder about the necessity for having them (the bouncers, not the ties) there in the first place.
What I've just written is infused with gifts I gave to others and gifts I gave myself over this past weekend. There are more than what I've talked about, but you get the idea. What I received is precious time spent with my sons, some R&R from a stressful situation and greater clarity to move forward. What I am grateful for is the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and well-being that allows me to live my life to my fullest capacity and the awareness that I alone am responsible for defining what that is.
Blessings,
Krystyn
Comment
-
Comment by Carylina on April 10, 2011 at 2:34pm
-
Comment by TriGirl on March 2, 2010 at 4:38pm -
Glad you are safe! Have a happy day!
-
Comment by genuine, wwt, welcomer on March 2, 2010 at 4:57am -
Enjoyed Reading ...... glad you were able to make it into a good weekend overall
-
Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on March 2, 2010 at 2:51am -
You have given and received many wonderful gifts. Glad things are going well and best to you always...Blessings~
Support 29Gifts.org
READ THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING 29 Gifts Book
Visit the 29 Gifts Boutique for 29 Gifts Starter Kits and other gifts that give back
Thank You to Mbali Creazzo for inspiring the 29 Gifts Movement
NEW? Please Read First
IN OUR GALLERY
PINCURL GIRLS
VIEW THE SHOW
Pincurl Girls by Jen Lukas-Landis encourage girls to avoid self-doubt by looking for happiness and expressing their artistic talents.
SACRED CIRCLE MANDALAS
Purchase art at sacredcircleart.com touchstonesofthesacred.com
TELL YOUR FRIENDS
Latest Activity
Lori Durham-Spencer posted a status"I started my 29 days..Today, I'm already planning my gifts and I'm very excited!"
Rita Lewis posted a status"Wishing everyone a good week ahead filled with abundant blessings.
Love & Peace to all. xo"
© 2012 Created by Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder.
You need to be a member of 29-Day Giving Challenge to add comments!
Join 29-Day Giving Challenge