Extraordinary Living

Shortly after returning to Hawaii, I was browsing through TV channels and stumbled upon an interview on a local station. I didn't know why I paused to listen, but it ended up changing my life.

The man being interviewed was a prominent figure in the business community, and I soon realized he was an incredible person. His name was Pono Shim. He spoke about the significance of recognizing "AH HA" moments or being Pono (in harmony, balance, rightness). He mentioned that by being present in life, we can appreciate the simplicity of what is offered.

With his mentoring I began to notice that my approach to community service was evolving. Community service isn't just volunteering somewhere, and it's not about what I can contribute, it is about what emerges as an "opportunity" for service—the AH HA moment.

This shift confronted me with a challenge I had faced before: expressing my Truth (with a capital T) in a way that didn't alienate others, or push them away when I passionately shared. I stopped opinionating, and started speaking with compassion, understanding and a knowing that comes from experiencing life that didn't always agree with me.

Pono taught me to speak with respect, to show others their worth instead of seeking validation for myself, to help them recognize the value in their actions—from teaching children to cleaning bathrooms.

Pono demonstrated that to live this way required courage, practice, and willingness; a willingness to delve deep, to be vulnerable, to embrace sacredness and uncover truth, which isn't always pleasant—truth can sometimes be harsh, but it's part of our essential nature, and we should love, honor, and appreciate all parts of ourselves.

To be whole is to live in truth, and being extraordinary demands courage, kindness, and compassion.

I learned that while no one can do it for me, I don't have to do it alone.