fuji x70 / Magic Island
We celebrated Bev’s born day over the weekend with dinner at Omakase by Aung in Kapahulu (11/10 highly recommend) and not knowing what the parking sitch would be like, we took an Uber. And there our adventure begins…
An extremely friendly driver picked us up and we began to talk stories. TBH, I don’t know precisely when I started asking people questions beyond, hey, “how’s your day?” but I do recall finding out fascinating pieces of wisdom and unique connections to people from all walks of life after delving more deeply into the spiritual walk and the time where I traveled through a particularly challenging season earlier in life.
As you see the world, you will see it’s the same, then you’ll be at peace. Then you’ll be happy. - An Unknown Monk who I met in 2010
I’ve kept up the practice of inquiring deeply, and more often than not, the answers reward me much more than the cost it takes to share space and show genuine interest in the life of another.
Our driver, H., hailed from Istanbul, Turkey. I shared that I would love to go to Istanbul some day to which H. said “Buy and ticket and go, you’ll love it.”
Sometimes the good days take long to arrive. Don’t wait, go to them. - H. from Istanbul
I love cities and am both fascinated and saddened at the transformation of the city of Honolulu, where I was born, and have resided since leaving the Big Island where I grew up. I love the possibility and intrigue of discovery that comes with the creative energy that cities seem to foster. I am also in awe of how even as they shift, they cannot help but keep elements of their personalities and essence, as it would seem they have have spirits and a unique energetic signature, themselves.
As he shared his love for the islands, I mentioned that I grew up in Hilo, where he lit up, telling us that he planned to buy property there one day and move his family. I started to talk about the energy there and places in general, and that led further to his recollection of Istanbul. In light of its cultural history and formely a capital of three different empires, there was so much culture and tradition from those different eras still alive.
And he felt that just like the Big Island, Istanbul carried an energy unlike any other.
I asked H. if he goes home often and he told us that it had been many years, at least 6 or 7, since he had returned home.
I am a political refugee.
While he didn’t go too deeply into it, he shared that he and his friends had spoken out against some happening in his native country and the government. For that, they had to leave. I expressed my condolences as it is truly hard for me to imagine how painful it would be to live in exile from one’s homeland.
It’s okay, it won’t be forever. One day, we can return home.
When we live in dark times, it can feel like there’s no end in sight. But as long as we’ve been around, and likely long after we’re gone, the day always finds the night in the morning. Perhaps this is the place of hope. Hand in hand with perseverance, hope can carry us forward.
Soul keep your hope and perseverance lit along with your candles, nightlights, and flashlight on your phone handy. And if you don’t have any of those at hand, just like H., be the light with your perspective.
A hui hou.