Insights from Hawaii

Day 1, October 23

My husband Alan and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a vacation in Hawaii. I intend to just share a few of my insights on this trip, especially those related to wellness. So this is not intended to be a trip itinerary, but rather a spontaneous expression of any insights I may want to share. A big part of this blog has to do with spirituality and the journey of personal development.

We checked in for our Horizon Air flight that afternoon in Bozeman, but Alan was not able to check in for his connecting flight in Seattle on Northwest Airlines. The Horizon Air rep said he could easily check in at the gate in Seattle. So we took his word for it and made it to Seattle. However, since the plane from Bozeman was late, we arrived at the gate in Seattle 20 min. before departure. Apparently, NW policy now is that if you do not check in at the gate 30 min. before departure, they give your seat away. They said the plane was full, and they blamed Horizon.

I started to feel anxious and upset. I got caught up in the drama at first, but then I took a step back and became more conscious of what I was thinking and feeling. I heard a bit of irritation in my voice with the gate clerk. I quickly used the emotional releasing technique I have learned called the Sedona Method. Without getting too involved in explaining it, I will simply say it involves asking yourself 3 simple questions when experiencing emotional discomfort.

Shortly thereafter, a man on the plane volunteered to stay back to get a flight credit. So Alan was given his seat and we got on the plane at the last moment. Victory! Next challenge is that we were not able to sit together. Again, I noticed my thoughts starting to create a drama about the situation, wondering if this was a sign for what the vacation was going to be like, etc. , etc. It's amazing what the mind will do and how the thoughts will pop up to generate negative feelings out of nothing. I let the thoughts go, and simply decided to accept the situation, feeling grateful that we both got on the same plane!!

With the spiritual work I have been doing lately for my own wellness, I clearly know that the center of my journey is to bring awareness and acceptance into the present moment as much as possible. My mantra to my own egoic mind has been, "Peace, be still and know that I am God." So I speak it from identification with the conscious part of myself that is one with Spirit, one with all life. I revere the stillness, and the inspiration and creativity that comes from stillness.

I have experienced this state of being as joy, love, peace, acceptance and probably every subtle expression of Spirit that there is. This is my inner purpose, and I look forward to see a greater unfolding of my outer purpose as I embrace more fully the inner purpose.

We safely arrived at our condo in Honolulu, Oahu, about 10 pm Hawaii time. The owner/manager is a sweet man and was very gracious to make sure we had everything we needed. We were in a small condo a half block from Waikiki beach and right across from Kapiolani park. We booked this condo because of the convenient location--close to beach, restaurants, golf course, walking/running trails, a park and entertainment. We used http://www.vrbo.com/ (vacation rentals by owner) and have found great rooms and good prices for this and other vacations. You might want to check it out sometime.

The view of Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head from our lanai (patio).