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Strength in Steadiness

Strength in Steadiness

by | Feb 15, 2021 | Uncategorized

I sat underneath the shade of a kukui nut tree this morning and thought about the strength built from steadiness. Being steady in your craft, your messaging, and contribution can be difficult as it is easy to get distracted and allow those distractions to become disruptions (a quick scroll through your newsfeed can likely confirm that).

I’ve found that where the real strength lies, where the real work is seen, where the depth of experience is felt, is in the steadiness and the unwavering commitment to your craft. Do you love to bake? Do it and stick to it! Love to teach? Do it and stick to it! Love to write? Do it and stick to it! There’s a beautiful strength you’ll find that will come if you stay steady.

Hope on the Horizon

Hope on the Horizon

by | Dec 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

This photo was taken at sunrise when I was on Oahu earlier this year (pre-pandemic), visiting my aunt. I woke up early that morning, and something about this bench, the way the trees cradled the frame, the soft glow of the sunrise reflecting on the buildings, left me with a feeling of hope.  This moment, while it seems like a lifetime ago, gives me hope. 

 

As we approach the Winter Solstice, I am exhausted in more ways than one.  Perhaps it is because I have a birthday this month; perhaps it is because of the additional holiday stress topped onto the already busy work and home life schedule.  Perhaps it is because the days are getting shorter.  Or perhaps it is because this has been an EXHAUSTING year.

Is anyone with me?

 

Earlier this week, I looked at the hours  in my day and realized a few key components for maintaining my sanity had started to fall by the wayside.  Instead of trying to fit more time in or cut something out of my day, I decided to start waking up an hour earlier.  One hour earlier.  One hour in which I gave myself time to spend on the things that mattered the most to me.  And you know what that extra hour has also given me?  It has allowed me to look at the sunrise on the horizon.  To wait, to anticipate, to give thanks for another day that is on its way.

 

This year has been a year of waiting.  Waiting for a vaccine, waiting for decisions, waiting for life to return to “normal.”  And it can be exhausting. 

 

But what I have found in waking up a little earlier is that there is hope. There is hope on the horizon.

Just like the early morning rays of sunshine that start to show themselves in the warm glow of the clouds, there is hope.  This, too, shall pass.  The sun will rise again.  All will be well.  You have to take a moment (or an extra hour), to look for that hope on the horizon.  It’s there, and it’s waiting for you.     

Stay in the Saddle

Stay in the Saddle

by | Nov 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

I grew up in a small town, home to the Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy), and learning how to ride was part of growing up. I have spent summers in Wyoming and Colorado, ridden wild ponies, and learned dressage when I was in high school. Horses are a source of comfort for me, and riding is no different.  

 

I was reminded this morning of how important it is to stay in the saddle. When I first learned how to ride, my focus was on anything other than the horse. I was looking way out ahead, getting distracted by the trail we were on, or the pretty creek we were trotting by. I was looking behind me at my trail companions, I was looking down at the saddle horn, you name it, I was looking at it.  

 

I learned quickly, however, that along with my distracted glances both ahead of me, behind me, below and above me, there went my balance too.  

 

I do not know about you, but I had a hard time staying focused this week, staying grounded, staying in the saddle. I was getting caught up in the actions of those around me, the distractions of the trail ahead, the noise of the creek next to me. I was starting to lose my balance, and with it, my sanity.

 

The beauty of this experience, however, is that thanks to riding, I know how to stay in the saddle. 

 

I know how to right myself, to realign to reconnect, I know where my eyes need to focus, and that in itself is a gift that keeps on giving.

 

So, for those of you out there who are feeling a little off-balance, a little off-kilter, know that you are not alone. Just take a deep breath, realign your focus, and whatever you do, make sure you stay in the saddle, we need you with us!  

 

Happy Trails…

Up We Go

Up We Go

by | Oct 25, 2020 | Uncategorized

I heard a song the other day called “Up We Go” and it reminded me of the environment we are in right now.

Here in the islands, travel has opened back up, providing much relief financially and emotionally, especially for those of us separated from loved ones for far too long.

And with it comes the usual questions of how this will work, what challenges we are now going to face, but I cannot help but think of how much stronger we are now than we were seven months ago because we have the stepping stones of our experience to lead us upward.

 In the last seven months, we have scaled, closed, reopened, and created new businesses. We have learned how to do business in a pandemic and learned how to practice our craft safely. Spaces have transformed physically and virtually. And all these changes and adjustments have been like steppingstones leading us up into a new way of living.  We are not only doing things differently, but we are doing things better. And what a beautiful thing that is to celebrate.

“Up We Go”, it is going to be great!

Zoom out

Zoom out

by | Sep 5, 2020 | Uncategorized

It seems like all we have been doing lately is zooming in.

 

Zooming in to meetings, classes, birthday parties and celebrations. It’s overwhelming.

 

I was reminded this week that it is equally as important to Zoom out. To find some perspective. Whether it is physically removing yourself with a walk in the forest, or mentally taking a step back and “watch from the balcony.”

 

I needed to zoom out the other day. I had a series of conversations that left me jumbled up. I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, so I took a walk, I took a breath, I took a break from it all. And when I did this, all of the problems that at the time seemed so big and jumbled up suddenly became tiny and manageable.

 

Zooming may not be such a bad idea after all, as long as you make some time to zoom out. 

Remember why you started

Remember why you started

by | May 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

This photo is of a kiawe tree located along the coastline between Hapuna Beach and Kaunaoa.  Kiawe trees grow where nothing else will grow.  They are the epitome of strength and resilience and I just love everything about it. 

 

 

 

I took this photo yesterday afternoon.  I had planned on enjoying a leisurely walk in solitude (as has become my new norm with the shelter at home orders in effect), but I hadn’t prepared myself for the large crowds of people who were enjoying the beach as a result of the recently lifted ban.  I immediately got upset, as I wanted it to be back to “the way things were” with empty beaches and solitude.  Then I had to laugh at myself, as this is the same reaction I had when the quarantine went into effect!  How quickly we forget!

 

 

 

But there is one thing I don’t; forget, and that is why I started.  Being a business owner in the time of COVID has been a lesson in patience, ingenuity, resilience, and faith.  The “new normal” will likely change ten times over in the coming weeks, but there is one thing that I do know, I started Jaisy Communications because I wanted to help businesses share their story.  That is it.  That will never change, and that is the joy and the beauty that is a result of this pandemic.  The roots of my business are strong, and while the leaves may get jostled from time to time by the storms of life, I will continue to remember why I started.