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Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success

by | Jun 30, 2019 | Uncategorized

One of the things I missed most after leaving my former job was being able to wear a freshly picked puakenikeni flower in my hair every day.

I mourned the loss of that experience for a little while as I was told these flowers don’t thrive well where I live. I was told that they would be too hard to grow, that it would take a lot of time, a lot of sunshine, a lot of effort, and even after all that, I probably wouldn’t succeed. 

Well, I did it anyway, I bought a small tree, I’ve cared for it, watched over it, pruned it, nurtured it, and today, several months later look at what greeted me outside my door! 

Now I get to wear one of these beauties as I go to work in the business I’ve started, cared for, nurtured, and grown.

Success has never smelled so sweet…

See It Through

See It Through

by | Jun 18, 2019 | Uncategorized

I was given the opportunity to document the making of a Kaula Ili (rawhide rope) for one of my clients, and it has taught me a few things: 

To take pride in your work 

To be humble

To be kind 

And above all:

To See It Through 

How many times have you been faced with adversity and seriously contemplated taking the easier, softer way…the path of least resistance? If you are anything like me, maybe you have (just a few times right?).

Now think about the times when you have Seen It Through. When you have worked through the challenge, when you reached out for a hand to hold, or perhaps you’ve stopped for a spell to catch your breath before continuing on. You Saw It Through.  Do you remember that sense of accomplishment you felt? That sense of pride? 

That is what Seeing It Through gives me. Whether it is through witnessing the creation of a piece of cowboy art that is so significant to my client, or simply by suiting up and showing up, I can at least feel proud that I Saw It Through. 


Maybe you’ve got a bit of a challenge on your hands, or a project that has gotten so big that you need some assistance, here’s hoping you have the opportunity to See It Through, as it will be worth it in the end, I promise! 

Integrity

Integrity

by | Jun 2, 2019 | Uncategorized

I was taking my puppy for a walk this afternoon along a deserted road. It was that perfect “nap time” window in between completed Sunday chores and preparation for Sunday night dinner, and there wasn’t a soul to be seen. As my walking companion stopped to do her business, I had that fleeting thought (as I KNOW some of you fellow dog owners have had) cross my mind saying “nobody is around, and it’s really just fertilizer when it comes down to it, so…maybe I can leave it” 


Instead, I pulled the disposable bag out of my jacket pocket and stooped down to take care of it.  At that moment I heard a booming voice (literally out of nowhere it seemed) cry out “THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT!” I pulled myself up, looked around and here in this shed a gentleman had been working in his shop, completely unbeknownst to me! He continued “Nobody ever cleans up after their dogs and even worse! They leave it in a bag on my gate!”


Now, I’m not sharing this with you to get a pat on the back for cleaning up after my dog (but please go ahead if you’d like!).  I share this because it reminded me of integrity, one of the values our society sometimes forgets about in the age of cutting corners and instant gratification.  It’s doing the right thing when nobody is looking, it’s practicing kindness to a stranger not because it will get you an award, but because it’s the right thing to do. It’s not taking that shortcut in your professional life even though it could save you an hour or two. It’s taking that extra few minutes to share your knowledge with your competitor because paying it forward was how you were raised.


So to all of you who are reading this, here’s wishing you a week filled with integrity as you navigate your way through this beautiful thing called life!