This is still a work-in-progress, and I think it will be a constant process for me, but it has been a reoccurring theme in my life of being sure to mahalo i ka mea i loaʻa (to be thankful for what we have).  It’s usually easier, or my first instinct, many times to think of, “oh but what I really wanted was this,” or “ugh, we still don’t have that,” or “if this would just happen then all of our problems would be solved.”

This process has been ironic for me as I would say I’m usually a positive, optimistic, half glass full-type of person.  It has taken some time for me to realize the effects of my negative, deficit thoughts, and how it’s easy to get caught in this downward spiral.

When I stop myself in these negative thoughts, and change it to a positive, I already feel the positive effects in my life even though nothing may have actually changed (except for my perspective).

To further this practice, I usually try to take a moment during the day–for me, usually first thing in the morning and/or at night before fall asleep–to take a moment to pause and think about all that I am thankful for.

How do you practice gratitude?

As we prepare for our fourth pēpē (baby), I felt the urge to want to share this.  I think I’m finally able to articulate these feelings, and we’ve some how figured out how to get better at communicating what we need from each other to work as a team.  I know a lot of other moms can relate to this, but I write this for my husband.  Not because he demands an explanation or anything like that, but more so because I know we sometimes hear each other differently when the message is delivered in different forms.  But mainly, I write this as a mahalo to him as well for loving me through these transitions as we build our ʻohana and navigate the constant changes…yet things really being much of the same.

There are just some super powers, which some refer to as a “mother’s instinct,” that I believe wāhine do possess.  Whether it’s knowing how when our keiki are coming down with a cold, or watching out for keiki #2 because you know she’s clumsy, or simply a naʻau (gut) feeling that “x” will happen.  It really is quite crazy sometimes how I can sit up at night thinking about what we are getting prepared for in the coming day and all the possible scenarios that cross my mind of what could go wrong.

All of this may sound pretty crazy, but it’s real.  And I know I am not the only one.

(To my husband:)

So mahalo for loving me through it all, and most of all, your patience.  I know I haven’t been as patient…in fact, I’m usually the opposite:  impatient.  Nothing ever seems fast enough for me.  I will try to be more patient.  But I hope this will help to explain why I’m so impatient.  From my perspective, I had already played this scenario in my mind and anticipated this happening.  Most times I feel like I’m benched during the game–whether I’m sitting and breastfeeding, under limited activity while I’m pregnant, or just plain tired–and I see you playing the game and want to cheer you on.  I know my “cheers” may sound more like orders, so I will work on that too.

I know I don’t always acknowledge or express my gratitude as often as I should, but mahalo for all that you do.  I will work on being better at that too.

MAHALO and I love you.

Holy smokes!  Time is flying!!!  It’s been wayyyyy too long since I’ve posted, but I’m happy to be back!

This year has been a whirlwind so far.  How has it been for you?

I think it was last week (yes, the beginning of April), when I FINALLY cracked up and actually wrote something in my Passion Planner.  Geesh!

With about a quarter of the year gone, how are you progressing towards reaching your goals?

Not sure if you’ve heard but I’m pregnant!  We’re rocking and rolling as an ʻohana of five right now, and will welcome pēpē #4 this summer.  So some plans have changed, and some are still the same 😉  I’m learning to just roll with it.

Am I the only one that feels like this year is flying by?