The Working World

I have been struggling recently with the concept of money and how to continue living the lifestyle I would like to live by paying for it through things I only want to do, not have to do...sounds good huh?

I have recently been having conversations regarding working and quality of life with several people in my life, whose opinions I respect very much.  There are those that are a slave to the 9-5 working day, others that are making just enough to get by so they can play and enjoy life the other 4 days out of the week.  There is the strong individual who is working way too hard for her age only to find that the cost of living never lets up no matter how hard you work.  What about the one that just got out of college, has a degree and is now waiting tables and working part time at something she is really passionate about (that doesn't pay hardly at all) (and yes, she is one of the lucky ones)?

One of the smartest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing put it bluntly, "you're part of the working class now, you better get used to it."  I had a frightening thought, what if the working world really sucks as badly as it appears?  Morbid, I know.  I have gone the first year out of college working jobs I have loved- for a year now... what if that isn't always the case?  And then on top of that, is it really in my control to change it or am I stuck?  What about when you throw relationships or my gosh, kids and house payments into the mix? You are quickly buried in a pile of important things that are dependent on your financial stability and location.  How do you get yourself out of this situation if the urge every arises?  Many will say, "you just don't get yourself in that situation to begin with..."- thank you Captain Obvious.  I think most of us would love to have that much control and be able to change anything at any moment...however in the real world situations arise, plans change and obstacles unfold.  Things do not always go as we plan, which is a beauty and a curse of living life.

My thoughts continue on the topic of how do you change your situation once you're settled in it?  How do you take that step to changing it?  What's the use in setting yourself up for a great life when you have no time or energy to live it?  This is a classic situation that I have seen countless times lived out by people I love and people I've just met.  How do you keep yourself from falling into the money wheel grind?  How do you keep your life and pay for it too?  

As near as I can tell, this tight rope is more precarious than Lost Arrow Spire and more frustrating than a day with no wind and no motor.  What do you do?  How do you do it?  

Do you live modestly and just hope nothing bad happens that will send you into the grind or do you work yourself into money bag-dom knowing that "it will all be worth it someday."  Do buy lottery tickets?  How about marrying rich?  

When did it turn into so many people hating their daily lives?  Why did it get to this point?  What are some little things we can do to remedy these situations and make life enjoyable on a daily basis?  

You can read books on how to be happy until you are blue in the face.  You can fill in that happiness hole with all the newest gizmos and gadgets that money can buy.  You can even surround yourself with a bunch of really important, sophisticated people that side track you from what's missing.  I'm no goddess (well okay, you got me), but I do know that masking things only works for so long.  Trust me, I may be young, but been there done that.

I recently talked to a woman who works at an old folks home on the mainland.  She has had the job of working with the mental health of these ladies and gentlemen, whose time on this earth is coming to a close.  You know what she told me?  She said the thing she heard more often than not was, I wish I had taken more chances.  I wish I hadn't settled for what I settled for.  I wish I had taken more time for myself and had a little more fun.  It went by too quickly.  I wish I could go back and take more chances.  This is coming from a generation where taking chances meant you were reckless because why go out and risk it all when you would just come home with your tail between your legs?  And yet, as they are living out their final days, they look back and realize it would have been worth it to take those chances.  No matter what you believe, you only have this one life as you, so you might as well take advantage and enjoy it.  Don't wait it out for something spectacular to happen and then wake up realizing you let your whole life pass you by.  It's gone too quickly.  

While I don't have the answer to what will make everyone in this world happy, if I did I truly would be the Goddess... what I can say is keep it in mind that you deserve the world and shouldn't settle for anything that makes you truly unhappy.  There are always going to be obstacles that won't be particularly enjoyable, however, long term, life is too short to stay grumbly.  Figure out if those gizmos and gadgets are really worth the ton of hours you spent working at a job you absolutely hate.  Weigh the options.  If it's worth it and it truly does make you happy, keep at it.  If you wish you had the lavish lifestyle and that's what you truly want, then keep working at it, because if you want it only you will know how hard you are willing to work to get it.  For the ones without work, who are just starting, or who are in a lull, keep your chin up because random wonderful things fall into your lap when you least expect it.  The universe truly is chaos and some things just happen and wind up making things amazing.  Don't lose hope.  I think above everything else, if things aren't going your way, you just cannot ever lose hope.  Those little pieces of happiness that happen every day will keep you going until something great comes your way.  This does not mean sit still and wait, this is not the Tao, unfortunately this technique does not ALWAYS work.  Staying positive and motivating yourself to switch out the things that make you unhappy for things that do will keep you going and if nothing else, occupy your time until the awesomeness unfolds.  Stay on a mission to have a good time.

-M.

~"Everything's going to be super duper." -Marc Johns

Little Cove, Mangoes and Fishing

Imagine being suspended 1000+ft above the constant crashing waves on a cliff side composed of nothing but loose rocks, vines and scurrying critters.   It is the dead of night and nothing but torches light the surrounding 10 feet of area, precarious indeed.  You’re a young warrior and you are about to carry out your destiny.  As you are slowly lowered down on rope that I can guarantee was not UIAA certified halfway down the cliff, you are not completely alone.  You carry with you the remains of a member of the Ali’i- the royal family.  As members of the royal family pass, onto what was thought to be the eternal life, their bones were taken by a young warrior and hidden in caves high out of hands’ reach in a protected cove known as Kealakekua Bay.  In Hawaiian culture, the bones, or final remains of any individual are said to possess the eternal soul and in order to keep these souls safe, especially the royal family’s souls, they were hidden high above any village.  As you can imagine, the young warrior was essentially the only one who would know exactly where these remains were hidden, so in order to guarantee that no man could steal away the souls of the elite, the warrior’s line was cut after his task was completed.  Falling the remaining hundreds of feet to the rocky abyss below, his sacrifice was seen as a great honor.   To be able to help keep the souls of the Ali’i safe for eternity was seen as heroic and noble. 

What must have been going on in these young men’s minds as they were slowly being lowered over the side of one the largest exposed cliff on the island?  Were they proud?  Scared?  Excited for their steps into the eternal life?  How does one prepare for this?  While I do not know the full scope of the ceremonies leading up to the actual “burial,” I do know that this is a very powerful piece of Hawaiian culture that has since been discontinued (for obvious reasons), but is still seen as a very sacred part of protecting the eternal being. 

This bay is also incredibly famous for something else- Captain Cook’s arrival.  In 1779, Captain James Cook, the first European to set foot on the island, “discovered” the Big Island.  His first landing put him right in the heart of Kealakekua Bay.  With its towering cliffs, sharp lava rocks and exposed reefs, Captain Cook’s ships were anchored far off shore out of the harm’s way.  Short boats were used to transport crew to shore where they were greeted by the native Hawaiian peoples- who thought of these light skinned men as Gods.  As you can imagine, as with any major land discovery, shit went awry relatively quickly.  As with the Native Americans, traditions were slashed, lives were lost, and general death, disease and destruction ensued.  The long and short of it is, Captain Cook overstayed his welcome and committed an unforgiveable act- kidnapping a Chief as collateral for a “stolen” short boat.  Kealakekua Bay needless to say is also the site where Captain James Cook was executed later that same year, once they discovered he was no god….For such a beautiful cove tucked away on the cliff side, it sure does have a heavy past. 

The only times (two in total) I have been to this bay have been by boat, so on my day off I decided to head down there by car to see it from land. It's absolutely beautiful and such a powerful place.  There is such a presence here.  I ended up sidetracking myself with a long run along the coast and a pick up volleyball game in the shade.  Coconuts and mangoes for sale, freshly brewed coffee right from the farm and friendly kayakers were all around.  I also found a gentleman sitting next to the beach carving tiki men....haha....oh Hawaii...

After a quick stop for the perfect cup of coffee, the day ended with a trip to the Mango Festival in downtown Kona.  This was basically the closest thing I have experienced out here to a mini farming festival.  Lots of great foods, macadamia nuts, beautiful jewelry and live music.  I picked up two WWOOFers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and gave them a ride to the festival on my way back from Kealakekua. 

 

My weekend ended with the Wahine (girl) Fishing Tournament out of Honokohau Harbor.  Basically a big fishing tournament just for women.  It's a charity event and was themed African Safari.  All the boats and fisher-ladies were decorated and dressed as such.  It was a riot.  I have never laughed so much at a fishing tournament.  Although I did not partake, I did help to decorate boats and enjoyed the festivities after the fact.  The winning fish was a 401lb marlin.  The winnings are split up between the ladies on the team and the sponsored charity.  Why just raise money, when you can raise money and fish at the same time?  

Aloha nui loa,

M. 

July O' Clock

A lot has happened over the last month:
Boats have hit the rocks, others have been given much needed face lifts, friends have come and gone, hikers have been swept out to sea and hurricanes are approaching.  Hitch hikers have been picked up on their own spiritual journeys, leaving everything they knew behind because they didn't want it, friends have ended the lifestyles they have known for years and started off fresh, new connections have been made through old friends and life as I know it has changed drastically.  We've gone horseback riding and swam out of the way of manta rays.  Caught octopus and ate ahi.  Slept in and barely slept.  
Hollywood came to Hawaii and believe me when I say, all the money in the world is not worth the unhappiness that was surrounding these people.  A TV crew and cast came out on the boats to shoot one of their episodes for a new show that seems to be a spin off of the Bachelor.  "We're in the business of changing lives...ruining them, but changing them." (one of the producers explained to me once he was on board). Wow.   No doubt the moderately attractive man and the five girls hanging on his every word will find everything they are looking for and more if they are truly as they appeared.  I suppose if everyone acted exactly the same, the world would be a very boring place.  I am completely content with my life out of the lime light...wow.  People never cease to amaze me.
We've started working with kids out on the boats.  A few companies based out of Wyoming take trips out to the islands every summer with 10-15 participants and one of their stops while they are out here is onto our boats to learn to sail and live on the water.  Three days is usually the limit.  They do it all- sail, clean, cook, sleep, eat- the whole nine yards.  It's my job to make sure they don't fall off the boat, to teach and to stay overnight to make sure they don't get the bright idea of pulling a fast exit in the middle of the night (well to make sure nothing bad happens)(...same thing).  We teach them about the wildlife and take them snorkeling and free diving.  Not a bad way to spend the months of July and August.  
Life on the islands seems to be a roller coaster for me.  I can never decide if I am truly content here or if I am thirsting for something else.  It seems to change almost daily, which is exhausting.  I am hoping for some peace of mind sometime soon because this back and forth is making my head spin.  If I had the community I left behind in Santa Cruz out here, I would be just fine.  I would love it.  Although I have made some great friends, I have not found the full community that recharges my batteries like the ones in the lovely SC.  In time I hope.  For now I am working on me and what makes my heart tick.  
Life is good, even when it's bad.  There is something to be learned and cherished every single day.  If nothing else focus on the fact that there is something valuable that is going to happen today and it is your job to find it. 


Until next time, 
aloha nui loa,
M. 


It seems true at times...
"Unbeknownst to most, the world is ruled by a single pipe-smoking rabbit." 
-anonymous

20 Things

This island continues to amaze me.
Here are some more interesting things that I have noticed about the Big Island:

1)  Locals park their cars backward in parking spaces to show they have pride in their vehicles.

2) Shaking hands is an insensitive way of introduction.

3) Garages are the hang out spots at houses, not living rooms.  They're usually outfitted with couches and televisions, for "the boys."

4) Paniolos- Hawaiian cowboys.  There is a lot of cattle country on the big island.  Happy cows come from California...happy cows also come from Hawaii apparently.

5) A back porch is called a lanai.

6) Vog- volcanic fog- think smog, but from a volcano.  Nasty stuff that socks in the island when the winds don't blow it offshore... this cannot be good for my lungs...

7) Kama 'aina- local- show your Hawaii State ID and restaurants and other places give discounted prices.

8) Canoe paddling is the official sport of Hawaii.

9) Parking spaces appear to be much smaller than on the mainland...maybe because we are on an island with limited space...perhaps...?

10)  Centipedes and Brown Recluses are the creepy crawlers to watch out for out here.

11) "Hawaii Casual"- don't even worry about fully dressing up out here...ever...

12) "No rain, no rainbows."

13) Aunties and Uncles- any adult's title to a child that isn't their parent.

14) Black sand beaches only last for about 500-600 years because the coral changes them to white sand beaches.

15) Everyone and their mother has a dog out here.

16) There is officially rumor of one, count it one, bolted climbing route on the whole of the Big Island of Hawaii...

17) A majority of Hawaiians don't visit the ocean too often.

18) Random things will continue to happen no matter where you are on the Big Island- like the coffee barista offering to share a house with you because you are looking for a place to live... or meeting a guy from Jamestown just down the bar from me....

19) Fish is a staple source of protein here for most families- beef and chicken are actually too expensive.

20) The Harbor, like most marinas in the world I would imagine, has its own community, where everyone knows everyone and will jump at the opportunity to help out someone in need.  It has been one of the most pleasant surprises on this island recently.

Aloha nui loa,
M.

"When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky."
-Buddha