aloha
by annaleah atkinson

Dearest WNC Woman Readers,

This is my last Practical Spirituality column. My family and I are moving to Kaua’i, Hawaii, and I will no longer be a WNC Woman. It has been my joy to share this column with you, as I believe that Spirituality is meant to be applied, and is not just a nice ideational framework. I say “Aloha” to you, but want to share the deeper meaning of the word. It is practical spirituality, a way to resolve problems and accomplish goals.

“In the Hawaiian language, aloha stands for much more than hello or goodbye or love. Its deeper meaning is: the joyful (oha) sharing (alo) of the life energy (ha) in the present (alo).” So states Serge Kahili King in “The Aloha Spirit” on his website.A Hawaiian acquaintance of mine states that aloha is being aware that we are sacred beings sharing the same sacred breath. This about sums up how I would like to live my life, always being aware of the sacredness of all life, and feeling joyful about it in the eternal now. It’s a challenge in our society where instant judgment of others is so often the norm.

Hawaiians also have a wonderful way of living, which has power in it to create a happy life. It is:“Bless everyone and everything that represents what you want.” Blessing means supporting with the intention of helping it increase in this world. I may support a mediation center to see communication skills be taught because I believe it creates more peace in the world. I could support it by donations, by volunteering my services, by telling people about it, and by thinking good thoughts about it, and praying that its goodness extend into the community for the highest good of all. Certainly people bless their families, churches, communities in many creative and fulfilling ways.

With this philosophy, I turn the other cheek—I look away from things that I don’t want to see in this world. In a world of form, everything needs energy to continue manifestation. Remove the energy source, and remove the manifestation of it. I may go one more step. I may choose to support that which removes the energy of whatever I don’t want in this world.

Blessing effects us by initially stirring up the positive creative forces of the Universe and by moving our expressive energy outward allowing more to come through. The blessing helps create the same good in our lives. I always feel good after I’ve watered my garden, because I know I’ve made thousands of beings feel better.

Piaget found that when kids were praised for good behavior they were more likely to do it again: it was much more effective than just telling a child that they shouldn’t do something. That just let the child know what not to do, but not what to do. In a sense, this praise is a blessing

My first year of teaching I was blessed by a principal who used praise liberally with everyone in the school. She wrote appreciation notes all of the time. It felt good. When I felt good, I was likely to “bless” someone else It was infectious. If poop rolls downhill, then so does blessing. It actually can becomes a way of life. That’s what I believe the Aloha spirit is.

May all of our lives be full of blessings. Aloha dear friends.