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Disruptions

Disruptions

by | Jul 10, 2021 | Uncategorized

When I was a little girl, my sisters and I would spend almost every Sunday at the beach either body surfing or boogie boarding.

 

Inevitably, we would get caught in what we would affectionately call the “washing machine,” in which we would be turned upside down on our heads, buckets of sand going up our noses and into our ears, accompanied by the inhalation of gallons of water.

 

The first time it happened to me, I was completely disoriented, scared, fighting against the disruption of the waves and not knowing which way was up. I struggled against the tide, struggled against gravity, and in my disorientation, finally found my way up to the surface, gasping for breath and crying in between gulps of air.

 

My mom saw all of this happen, and holding her trademark orange boogie board, paddled over to me.

 

“Mom!” I cried out, “did you see what happened? I’m never boogie boarding again!”

 

My mom gently re-fastened the leash to my wrist and gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received. “You need to move with the ocean; instead of fighting it, let yourself relax and ease into the disruption. The wave will pass over you, and if you relax, you’ll be able to find your way to the surface. But if you fight it, you’re going to use up all your energy trying to figure out which way is up, and you won’t be able to have enough energy to catch the next wave.”

 

Lately, there have been many disruptions in my life, a few of them have been scary, but most of them have just been uncomfortable. And in speaking with friends and family over the last couple of weeks, I know I am not alone.

 

Disruptions are uncomfortable, and they are painful; we don’t know where our footing is, we’ve lost our “routines.” We have had to adjust to new work schedules, new living situations, new relationships, career changes, the list goes on and on.

 

So what are we to do about these disruptions? Well, for me, as hard as it is, I have been trying to relax into the disturbances, to ease into them, to move with them, and to know that these waves too shall wash over me. I can certainly fight the disruptions, but I know that I need to save enough energy to get ready for the next wave 🌊

A bend in the road

A bend in the road

by | May 20, 2021 | Uncategorized

When I was a little girl, my sisters and I would pile into the back of our parents’ Jeep Wagoneer and go for a drive with Mom and Dad along roads just like this one. If we were lucky, each of us would get to take turns sitting on Dad’s lap and practice our “driving.”  Inevitably, we would come to a bend in the road, throw up our hands and say “I can’t drive!  I can’t see where the road is going!”

 

My Dad would gently place our hands back on the wheel and say, “You’re okay, just follow the road that’s in front of you.” 

 

It feels that way now, there are many changes that are just around the bend, just out of sight, only we can’t see them, can we?

 

I was speaking with a small business owner recently about adaptability and how we have had to pivot, innovate, and adapt.  Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be doing what I am doing right now because I could not see beyond the bend in the road.  But, just like my wise Dad told me many moons ago, I followed the road that is in front of me.

 

Here is to all of you who are traveling along these roads.  While there may be some twists and turns along the way and bends you may not be able to see around, I hope that you will be able to enjoy the scenery and follow the road that’s in front of you.

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.

 

Growing with Grace

Growing with Grace

by | May 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

One of the offshoots (no pun intended) of this pandemic has been the emergence of a volunteer tomato plant that has taken root.  Since mid-March, it has been producing tomatoes, and I noticed that one of them is almost ready to be picked.!  I wanted to pick it this morning, it feels almost ripe enough and I have already decided how I am going to enjoy it.  But I thought better of picking it, it needs a few more days of sunshine and growth, and a little bit of grace (from me).

I am not a gardener, or at least I was not a gardener pre-pandemic.  But thanks to the stay at home orders, almost everything has changed.

Spontaneous trips to the grocery store have been replaced by daily long walks with my dog.  Ordering take-out has been replaced by scouring the Joy of Cooking cookbook for new meals to cook at home.  In-person meetings have been replaced with FaceTime sessions and Zoom calls.  Hours that were spent skimming the news have been replaced by hours with my nose buried in books.

 

And then, there is growth.

 

Oh my, the growth that is happening!  Not only physically (hair, nails, waistline), but the mental growth too.  Learning something new and growing my knowledge base has become an almost daily practice.  Today, most of my conversations with clients and colleagues almost always include “I’ve never tried that before, but let’s give it a shot” and I am growing through all of it.

That is not to say that it is easy.  It is tough work.  It is uncomfortable.  There are moments that I am longing to be back to the way things used to be.  Longing to be back to normal.  But the growth is allowing me to look at what it is that I am leaving behind, and the room that I am making for new habits, new opportunities, and new skills (gardening is one of them).

A common thread through all this growth for me is the presence of grace.  Grace is the rudder that is keeping me on course when the storms of self-doubt approach, grace is the warm quilt that comforts me, grace is that tiny ray of sunshine in an otherwise cloudy day.  Is growth difficult?  Yes.  Is growth possible with a bit of grace?  Absolutely.

A New Outlook

A New Outlook

by | Jan 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

It’s a new year and with it, a slew of changes. Changes in my daily schedule, changes in my commitments, changes in relationships, and most recently, a change in outlook.

 

I signed up for an 8 week spinning® performance class. This class is in addition to my normal workouts and it is much more specific. It applies science to my workout, everything from RPM to bike positioning to heart rate to recovery periods.

 

For an overthinking test anxiety stricken person like me, this introduces a whole new set of unknowns and challenges.

 

This morning I had to retest my heart rate and threshold with my coach. My initial test was too high, I wasn’t setting myself up for success and I could feel it. As she ran through the test with me she said: “I think you’re underestimating how hard you are working.”

 

She was referring to my heart rate and the amount of exertion on the bike. But her comment struck home. How many times in our lives do we underestimate ourselves? How many times do we underestimate our worth, our effort?

 

The start to the year has been a tricky one, and if I’m being honest, I’ve been underestimating my own capabilities, doubting my ability to adjust to change, underestimating my strength.

 

Maybe you’ve been feeling this way too. And maybe you needed to hear that you’re not alone in this. And maybe (hopefully) you have someone in your life who can point out ever so gently that you don’t need to underestimate yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back, because you can do hard things.

 

Happy New Year!