Mahalo is an ancient Hawaiian wisdom and way of life that is still an important part of Hawaiian culture today. Mahalo means thank you, gratitude, admiration, praise, respect, and honour. I mention it today because I am grateful to be able to share these words with you.
Almost every day I write. And I enjoy those moments. Time doesn’t exist and I surrender to the flow.
I write down various reflections and from them articles are usually created. I don’t think about having to send a text in. Somehow it always comes together and I send it once a week.
“Live in gratitude for the richness that makes life so precious.”
Hawaiian proverb
But this time I felt pressure because I received compliments and many people told me they follow my Friday columns. And of course, a part of me felt like I had to meet those expectations. The moment “have to” appears, questioning what to write begins. Then comes the phase of forcing sentences. And that usually results in blockage. The moment I start forcing and going against the flow, it becomes harder and it doesn’t work. It is simpler to let go and just watch how words come and line up one after another. Maybe they will form something inspiring, or maybe they will remain just introspection.
I have always done this. I observe myself and my behaviour. I observe people and explain their behaviour to myself. Sometimes I write it down, sometimes I don’t. But now, I want to write this article because of the people who are waiting for it.
I used to have a problem with having to do things for other people. Now it fulfils me.
Why would it be a problem to do something for other people?
I still do it for myself. And I also receive through giving. When I give consciously and joyfully, I receive much more and I also receive motivation to do it better. The better I do something, the more confidence I have. Confidence raises motivation even more. Motivation inspires new ideas and their realisation. And in this way I grow and develop as a person.
Is there anything more beautiful or more valuable than that?
Everything I do for others, I also do for myself, if I know how to receive. Receiving through giving is something we weren’t taught. The focus is always on what I am doing for someone and whether they will return it to me. But if I am truly “inside”, every single thing I do for anyone, is also for me. And then I can turn even something simple like making coffee for someone into a beautiful ritual. When I approach it that way, that person enjoys it much more, and I receive even more in return.
The small things make life. And how much I enjoy them determines the amount of satisfaction I feel in life.
Thank you to everyone who follows these columns because you give me the joy of writing and enjoying every word I write. I receive that joy with gratitude and happiness.
And so, mahalo dear people.
“Aloha Aku Ne, Aloha Mai Ne – I give my love to you, and you give your love to me.”
Author Ivana Song.
