"The Attitude is Gratitude"

2013-03-05T17:59:00.002-08:00

There are so many "THINGS" in this lifetime... and I won't lie but some people, including myself can get caught up with the THINGS in this life.. which can be literally gone in seconds!

But, since I'm a recovering shopaholic.. so I know for sure about having THINGS.. and buying stuff to cure a bad day.. or get a quick fix.
I definitely found out the hard way .. that that DOESNT WORK... cause basically you'll always end up wanting more and more.. and just NEVER be HAPPY.
I know its not a necessity to have a new car.. but not having one for about ten years.. and worried about repairs and unexpected brake downs.. I knew a new car was the next event in my life. I thought I knew the car that I wanted for sure. But after much searching and researching.. and with much gratitude and thankfulness to my Husband.. my new car was delivered two weeks ago.. and its exactly what I wanted. My first love, THE BEETLE was back in my life. I must say I do feel very spoiled.... cause it is a pretty awesome ride...

So whether big or small things .. we always need to be happy for what we have.. and be THANKFUL for ALL things..no matter what you HAVE or dont Have...

Aloha & A Hui Hou

The Importance of "Thank You!"

2013-01-13T10:11:00.001-08:00

Growing up we never lacked for anything... but through my years of marriage.. I have been very blessed to experience alot of luxuries of life through travel, learning new things and experiences, being able to afford expensive items like clothing, handbags and jewelry, enjoying fine foods in exotic places... the list goes on.. The most important thing I learned was the ability and necessity of a simple "Thank you"

Hmmm... did someone ever forget to say "Thank you" to you in any occasion?? How did that make you feel?? I trust not so well...

Its just a really simple expression that means alot and can make a very big difference in even the simplest of relationships. The simple "Thank you.." is the outward expression of your inner gratitude.....

Through the years I learned that this simple outwardly expression shows others that we are thinking, acknowledging and accepting their true gift of kindness and selflessness....

Enjoy your day and "Thank you" for listening ...

A Hui Hou...

Being THANKFUL ... no matter what!

2013-01-07T00:45:00.000-08:00

You know when sometimes... when everything just keeps turning out wrong no matter what or how hard you try... you just cant get it right...? Well these are the times when you when you REALLY NEED to be THANKFUL AND POSITIVE!!!

I believe it does make us stronger. Especially when a situation keeps nagging and nagging at you, chewing and tearing you down, bit by bit, piece by piece ... until you end up being sooo numb that you just dont really feel anything more at all.

We must keep close to God and be faithful with strong prayer and ride the storm out... but it sure is one hell of a trip!!!

A Hui Hou!!

TODAY ... will be a Great Day!!!

2013-01-01T00:39:00.000-08:00

TODAY.... will be a great day!!!

The beginning of a NEW YEAR 2013!!!

A time for NEW and GREAT BEGINNINGS!!! Great ideas, resolutions, commitments, discipline ... NEW plans, programs and soooo much more learning in so many ways... !! and most importantly BEING GRATEFUL... for EVERYTHING in our lives.. cause God does NOT make mistakes...

Lets face it when you actually sit down... and think about things ... we LEARN everyday about EVERYTHING!!! I think the biggest thing I learned in 2012... is about BEING POSITIVE... and I want to continue to keep the PASS IT ON mantra going!! I really and truly believe that your "inner voice" and strong faith in God and know that He is ALWAYS there for us... This is what we ALL have to focus on in our lives..
Everything in our lives is shown, given and presented to us for reasons that make us better, stronger followers of God.

I cant say it enough.. POWER THOUGHTS for my New Year that is and should be our FOCUS for our NEW YEAR!!! Joyce Meyer is truly amazing preacher, author and presenter of Gods promises. Her insight through God is so very life changing and thought provoking... I cant say enough... wonderful things about this amazing book Joyce wrote for all of us to apply to our lives... I think the most important thing that made the biggest difference for me is that Joyce is a product of her writings... and shows us through her own experience what God can do in our lives.

We all need to take time for ourselves and to remember that there is truly a POSITIVE side to allll things in our lives... ALWAYS!!

Take a look!!! It will change your life!!!

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!

THANKFUL FOR ALL THINGS....

2012-11-26T00:10:00.002-08:00

I SURRENDER ALL

We all have so many amazing things to be thankful for... and sometimes being human.. we must remind ourselves each and every day about them and not get caught up with the negativities of life. Trust me ... I used to be the one filling my head with .. I wish this, I wish that.. and why can't I have this

and why do I have to go through that... You have to make it a point .. and I like Joyce says we have to make it a point to have these "Power Thought" sessions.. so that we might "think these Power Thoughts on purpose!!"

I have a very strong faith in God and without prayer, communication with God I would be absolutely nowhere today in my life. We all need to take time out like I am today being so very thankful for these spiritual leaders like Joyce, Joel... and many others that they have given us their thoughts and writings etc.. to guide us and give us encouragement .. and I thank them very much for their inspiration.

For these Thanksgiving thoughts... and inspirations I am thankful today...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Hui Hou!!!

NEW STARTS

2012-10-05T13:33:00.001-07:00

I am truly thankful for "NEW STARTS!"

There are so many things we all want to do, accomplish, achieve ... however you want to put it, in our lives... Lord knows I do!

One of the things I've always love to do is to help others.. with the different interests that I'm learning to perfect every day. Everyone, including myself needs someone to talk to, share things and experiences with.. and that someone that will LISTEN to them.. We all come into this world with different skills, talents, specialties and purposes. I believe God made us all differently so that we CAN be there for each other. I am truly thankful for "new starts" in my life so I am able to learn new skills and techniques to make myself a better person to help others especially family and friends...

Thank you Lord for these "new starts" and let me take complete advantage of these "new starts" to make ME the best person I can be !

Like they say if you are not happy and pleased with yourself inside.. you will never be the complete person and be there for the ones who are most important to you!!

Enjoy your day... Aloha & A Hui Hou!!

2012-09-06T17:51:00.002-07:00

Giving it all to you Lord... and I am truly thankful... you are there for each and everyone of us... and all the things that You are for us.. and the things You are taking care of without even naming them, or the things that we havent thought of... YET.. I tend to fill my head with negative thoughts and worries... I must remind myself.. worrying is a sin...

"Either pray or worry ... DONT do both!"
50 Cent..

I thought this was very profound when I heard this, especially coming from a rapper .. ssooo
Today I give you all my worries, concerns, and negative thoughts...

My prayers and thoughts are now filled with Your guidance and direction Lord... please fill our hearts and minds with peace and comfort....

Aloha & A Hui Hou

The "Power of Prayer"

2012-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

The "Power of Prayer".... listening to Super Soul Sunday... discussing the "realness" of the Power of Prayer... our communication with our Creator..

I have learned soo much through my life and I must say that if it wasn't for my continued strong Faith in God...and prayer I would not be here today.. I believe our times and circumstances are bestowed upon us .. for certain reasons and lessons to help us to learn and grow.. Not always are these lessons fun, exciting and enjoyable.. especially when we are going through them.. but I know in my heart ... I am truly thankful for ALL these lessons...

I am truly thankful for my Creator, my God.. for ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR ME!!

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!

Special Times.....

2012-06-21T03:45:00.002-07:00

I am thankful and grateful for "Special Times...." spent with family... and just enjoying the hours spent talking, sharing photos, remembering old and new stories... and events that changed our lives... Although there is an age and generation difference we all share a common bond of thoughts, interests, meanings, goals, and experiences.. God works in our lives to help us remember what is REALLY important.. what really counts in life. It was really fun, eye opening visit with "Mom"... Grandma.. laughing, sharing stories, learning about NEW technology, photos, shopping, acting silly, watching movies... I am truly grateful for my special Daughter and Mom... this is one more crazy visit.. to add to our memories...

Love you guys...

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!!

Thankful for movies!!!

2012-06-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

It was a fun day today.. !!! Enjoyed going to a matinee movie!!! "What to Expect When You're Expecting"... it started out to be a light hearted comedy.. but somehow.. it brought me back AGAIN... to being GRATEFUL... for my family, my Husband and my Daughter...!! Each woman ended up being pregnant in different stages of their lives.. and one actually deciding to adopt..
I thought back on being pregnant myself.. and what I would have done if I wasnt able to to have my own.. The adoption ceremony was beautiful.. !! Adopting a little boy from Ethiopia ... I also know a friend of my daughter's who is adopted.. and have learned alot about REALLY BEING GRATEFUL.. Adoption alone takes a very special family.. to be able to take in a child that isnt theirs biologically.. to be able to bring up that child in this world.. in a loving and caring environment.. and having that child know in their heart that they were specifically chosen and that they are SPECIAL!!!

So with that being said.... I am AGAIN GRATEFUL... for God's lessons and blessings ...

Aloha & A Hui Hou...!!

"Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now"

2012-06-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

"Wouldn't take Nothing for my Journey Now" What an awesome title for a book... Thank you Maya Angelou... and Oprah for introducing me to do this..

In this time of horrible economic times... of more situations of life changing illnesses, unemployment, people who seem to have "had it all" and then proceeded to lose it all..there are sooo many to be thankful for and to show our gratitude each and every day.

I know personally.. I was truly effected by the author of "Simple Abundance" Sarah Ban Breathnach... when she was introduced to me by Oprah some 20+ years ago.. I remember that she was the one that introduced me to keeping a "Gratitude Journal!" I was all"gunho" back thentrying to write five things each day that I was grateful for.. but like alot of things I dont like to admit in my life.. I wasnt consistent. One of my weaknesses that has extended its arms to pretty much ALL facets of my life. Well I decided a bit ago... to start a "Gratitude" blog right here, but as you can tell I haven't be really consistent with this either.. BUT on a positive note and like many have said "its never too late!" So with this being said I am going on a mission, a personal challenge starting today to make a post or more each day.. on what I am grateful for that day. I've also started to gather friends and family on my gratitude Facebook page "The Attitude is Gratitude" in hopes of reaching out to my friends and family there as well.. Its LIFE CHANGING .. trust me! Growing up as a very negative person and experiencing these bouts of extreme negativity.. through these last years of marriage, raising a wonderful daughter, losing parents and special furry family members... I NEED to remember that the more you dwell on what you DO HAVE.. the more you will begin to see MORE.. and MORE of what you are thankful and truly grateful for...

and so it begins..

1. I am thankful for the power of the internet ... to reach more and more people with my thoughts of thankful and gratefulness....

2. I am thankful for my creativity .. whether its my writing, artwork and creative creations.

3. I am thankful for the special times I spend with my husband. The talks on the beach that we both learn from each other.

4. I am thankful for my wonderful daughter and how shes grown into such a beautiful person inside and out.

5. I am thankful for my faithful furry family member and how he makes me smile

6. I am thankful for growing and finally learning how to learn from my mistakes.

I will remember each and everyday how much I am truly grateful for and hope that you will too.. it will DEFINITELY be LIFE CHANGING!!!

Aloha and A Hui Hou....

How "FULL" is your glass?

2012-03-21T23:32:00.001-07:00

Are we truly to believe that no matter what or who or when things happen that it seems that this world only delivers a depressing result? That no matter how hard we work or save our monies... or squirrel away our treasures that when things are all said and done that we will only end up with the shirts on our backs.. and basic necessities??

Well we should ALWAYS remember to look at the glass HALF FULL instead of HALF EMPTY... because no matter what our horribly, ridiculously awful our circumstance may be.. we still have our hope, faith and most of all

LOVE.....

Without LOVE ... we have nothing.. Love for each other,

love for our spouses and our families,

and love for our

Loving Lord...

and how He gives to us

each and every day!!

Thankful for encouragement....

2012-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

I am starting out this New Year 2012 with the Positiveness of attitudes and mindset. During these years living on The Big Island... I've had the opportunity to meet many professional, creative, enterprising people on a personal basis. Thankful... for my new business colleagues.. they so give me encouragement and always have a way of turning things, EVERYTHING... into a positive experience!!!

I have spent too many years thinking, planning..wondering and half hoping that in my many business activities... a friend would do me "a solid" and help me out.. just to be a friend. Ultimately not realizing that I AM a very creative, talented, and resourceful person with many wonderful ideas to help others and myself be successful!! Well I'm here to tell you that the years of low self esteem and no confidence are FINALLY OVER.!!! I know that if I believe in myself and forge ahead.. with my enterprising ideas...that I am ALREADY SUCCESSFUL.. !!

WOW... Its all up to me.. !!!

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!!

Just let it go.....

2011-11-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

Wow... not sure what to think, how to process or even understand... but I was told... that I need to "just let it go..." As I had mentioned in my previous post... I am a FIRM believer of my own "women's intuition". I am very thankful.. and grateful for this...

I had a very enlightening.. and encouraging business conversation this morning... I have recently been involved and now completely involved with a new, exciting & up and coming venture that I am sure now will be changing not only my own future but all others that choose to become involved. Its been a very long time .. since I've been this excited about something.. and am going to continue ... to pray and keep moving in this very POSITIVE direction... Each day .. I try to keep filling my mind with these positive POWER THOUGHTS... Thank you Lord for Your direction... I'm gonna keep followin....

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!!!

A Sign??

2011-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

I have ALWAYS been a believer in "Woman's Intuition" otherwise known as a "gut feeling" as far as I'm concerned...

The other day I woke up very early around 4:30am .. and was flipping the channels... I have always also been a fan of Joyce Meyers.. and very matter of a fact type woman!!

I really only caught the last 20 minutes of the show.. but she was explaining... how she KNEW in her mind .. and KNEW the she was called by God to minister. So she completely changed her life.. quit her work.. to follow God.. and thought the road would be easy because this is what GOD had called her to do... but it was a great struggle... SIX YEARS .... of great struggle... but she kept on... and continued to followed her calling. But she still believed... what an AWESOME faith!!! I would truly love to meet her one day...

This is ANOTHER... "Women's Intuition"... and I am enjoying this morning ... somehow I woke right before 7 to finally watch Super Soul Sunday on

OWN... Oprah's new network... of really very interesting shows..it has really brought NEW joy in my life because it has opened my mind to so much wisdom... and new knowledge... . I have heard this particular show, Super Soul Sunday being advertised... so many times.. and I guess today was the day... she is discussing Dr. Wayne Dyer's book "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life..Living the Wisdom of the Tao"

There are just SOOO MANY GREAT books out there... I get super overwhelmed with the Joy of Reading... !! BUT am truly THANKFUL.... for all the insights and wisdom I have been receiving each and every day following my GUT.... Thank you Lord...

Aloha & A Hui Hou...

Thankful and THINKFUL for ALL things...

2011-11-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

We all need to remain and continue to be THANKFUL and THINKFUL.. for ALL things... !

Its amazing how many things can hit you all at once... kind of like the "**^ hitting the fan" literally!

Sometimes.. we are hit with so many events in our lives... and it keeps our hearts and minds spinning...and you really have to concentrate to just get in your car and drive to the grocery store.... but like they say... "All things happen for a reason!!" Sometimes I'm just not quite sure what it is !!

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!!

Still in shock..........

2011-09-11T19:40:00.001-07:00

Still in shock........ its been 10 years... and seeing these photos.. film footage... reading profiles and stories...these pictures.. and events still dont seem real...

But our country will never be the same... so very sad... or will we really ever recover... mentally or emotionally. These events left a very deep scar on our country ... and all the souls that died for our country. Its still very difficult for me to review all of those horrible photos... in my mind from the various media... broadcasting the 10 year anniversary.. I can't even fathom to imagine what it would have been like to actually have gone through it.

Thats why its very difficult to be thankful... for something really awful.. but somehow I can still find a way to be thankful... but thankful for how strong our country was and is... and for some of us ... that still believe in God to get us through and keep us going... and I have to be honest... I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my VERY STRONG FAITH IN OUR GOD... and I make it a point to Thank the Lord every single day... for all things... Thank you Lord... for ALL THINGS...

ALOHA & A HUI HOU!!!

Thankful to be at Peace......

2011-08-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

I can still remember back when I was in high school.. and my Dad would yell at me to turn the bass down on my stereo.. or help me with fixing a used car that we got for me to drive... and I remembered for sure learning to drive stick shift... without even being in my car!!! It was a very unique process... he had cut out the "H" design in the top of a shoebox and used a short stick, probably a part of a broomstick my Mother is still looking for... and he put an apple, orange, and a banana on the floor representing the clutch, brake and gas... So he would yell out "Press down on the banana and let up slowly on the apple!!!" Pretty interesting way to learn how to drive stick!!! But it worked... I drove stick until my daughter was born..!!

He was always stern, domineering, and strict .. the one who I always knew would be administering the punishments, reprimanding and always delivered the consequences... "Wait till you Father gets home!!" and I knew it wasn't going to be good.... and pretty much when that was said ... it WAS NEVER GOOD... !! But that was my Dad... and I could ALWAYS count on ... the strictness of the discipline.. all the time!!!

There was one other incident that stood out in my mind... when my brother and I were probably right around middle school age... and the "policy" was.. that if he or my Mother could figure out who did what ever it was wrong... that the BOTH of us would get the "belt!!"... a punishment that I will ALWAYS remember... ANYWAY... this type of incident occurred .. and we were BOTH on the chopping block... My Dad stood there... and looked us BOTH in the eye... and asked "Okay which one of you is responsible... ???" We both wouldn't say a word and just stood there.... NOT A WORD WAS SPOKEN... TOTAL SILENCE... so with that done ... my Father reached for the belt... to yank it out of the loops on his Bermuda shorts... and much to our surprise... as soon as the belt was "YANKED" out... the shorts DROPPED TO THE GROUND!!!! I believe that ALL of us .. including my Father were in COMPLETE SHOCK!!!.. and we all broke out into a complete LAUGHTER BREAKDOWN... and totally forgot why it was we were getting the "belt!!!" Amazing and interesting ... but true... God sure was on OUR side that day... Haha... !!! But like I always say "Its all good.... !!"

We were really not that close but then again... we were and we had our moments... he already knew things.. that I didn't even have to say out loud... it was already "understood"... all he had to do was look at me.. and say "You okay??"... I just nodded ... He knew it was okay...

I spent the last weeks of this month and the beginning of August ... realizing, thinking, remembering and reflecting... speaking to people I haven't seen in quite sometime.. and some I didn't even know.. but they knew Dad... and they came to show their respect and love... and we are all grateful for the times we had.. and spent with my Dad... it seems weird... knowing that he is gone.. and probably giving orders out in heaven.... A very wonderful true friend gave me a book "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper... what a truly awesome story... God truly is REAL .. in our lives... it really made me think... ALOT

I have lost many loved ones these past 12 months... and they will ALL BE TRULY MISSED... but I know in my heart that they are at peace and living in a wonderful place..

I can say now that I am glad... to finally be at peace.. with knowing that my Dad is at peace ....

I look forward to seeing you again someday... I LOVE YOU DAD...

Aloha & A Hui Hou...

Family......

2011-07-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

I'm having so much fun... visiting with family and friends... and just hanging out... I'M TRULY THANKFUL... for all the relationships.. both family and friends and that I am a part of their lives...

Sometimes.. we get so caught up in our lives and the busyness of life.. that we forget and take for granted the "little" things in life...

Thank you Lord for the "RICHNESS" of my life.. that can't be measured...

Aloha & A Hui Hou!!!

I just can't imagine....

2011-07-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

I just can't imagine... going through my life... with all that has happened.. the fun things .. and the not so fun things.. without my true faith in God..! There are so many times that I tell people this.. and so many times I run it through my head over and over again.. but it always comes back to me .... Faith strong faith gets me through EVERYTHING...

I don't think I would be here today... if it weren't for my strong and unwavering faith in God.

Aloha & A Hui Hou.....

2011-07-04T03:19:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for God and my country... and the people who fight and serve our country everyday... thankful for freedom and democracy..... everyday is precious... and every moment should be cherished....

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Aloha & A Hui Hou....

... and another day begins

2011-07-02T02:31:00.000-07:00

Another day begins... A new day, a new month... a new start... I PROMISE I WILL BLOG SOMETHING EVERYDAY!! and make it part of my everyday routine...

Soooooo, I've had a few days off from one job.. so while I really needed the hours... I am getting alot of work and creative things done at my home FULL TIME job...due to the slow economy and ... really not many hours at the other job... but I am thankful I still have that job...

But seriously I am thankful for many things... jobs, people... experiences.. friends, there are so many things... we all just have to REMEMBER to be thankful...

and...... thank you for listening....

Aloha and A Hou

Keeping the FAITH...

2011-06-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

FAITH... is a very strong word... in every sense of it.. We ALL must remain strong in FAITH... I know this is very difficult .. I know because my own faith is tested everyday..... I find it hard to explain.. and lots of times I wish things were easier...but my faith has gotten me through some really rough times.. and I guess yesterday was no exception..

Sometimes we resort to worldly bad habits to get us through each day each moment but they are only really temporary fixes.. and most of the time they lead us into even more problems or situations that complicate matters more. Most of the time we all end up doing stupid things to mask the current situation and I've even learned the hard way myself. But my Faith is what leads me back and wakes me up!! I could never imagine not having the Lord to speak to everyday.. He's ALWAYS there for me... I think the hardest part is making sure I visit with Him EVERYDAY... and not just when things are going terrible... or really great... always keep consistent ....

Steady in my faith.....

Aloha & A Hui Hou...

Being thankful for the little things...

2011-06-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Being thankful for the "little" things in our lives...

I was reading about this man, Nick Vujicic .. born without limbs!!! Yes, no arms and no legs.. but yet he is a inspiring successful motivational amazing person.. really made me think!! It made me think about the days I get up and my knees hurt.. or my ankles.. aren't working... or I keep looking at myself knowing that I really have to start to buckle down... and make some kind of dent in this weight loss situation!!! When you click on this entry and visit Nick's DvD...

or visit his website... he is an amazing testimony to all of us !!! I pray every day that I have even a quarter of this man's determination and drive. So when I get to the point and begin to get caught up with the negativities (sp??) of life.. I am going to start by at least writing down, recording, and constantly reminding myself each day how much I have to be thankful for.!!! Remembering and trusting that when God closes one door He ALWAYS opens another!!

So with that thought in closing we should ALL remember to be truly thankful for who we are and what we have... even the smallest things ... like brushing your teeth!!!

Aloha and A Hui Hou!!!!

Gratitude...

2011-06-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

Gratitude... what does that really mean?? A NOUN - the quality of being thankful or being grateful;. there are ways of being and showing "gratitude" for things, situations, circumstances etc. We all need to find ways to remember to do these things... and BE THANKFUL.. FOR EVERYTHING.... sometimes I understand that this can really be difficult... especially in these difficult times. We are all going through things. Divorce, financial issues, finding jobs, cancer, taking care of the elderly... soooo many circumstances and situations... and they all can be really overwhelming to say the least.. but we all have to remember to keep our strong FAITH in GOD... and REMAIN POSITIVE.... through EVERYTHING!!! I remember watching Oprah.. one of most favorite people... and SHE was the one that inspired me to start keeping a "Gratitude Journal". I believe she dedicated a whole show.. and promoted several writers regarding Gratitude. I will surely miss her shows.. We all should really try to do this everyday.. I choose to write and try to keep up this blogging thing to express my thoughts and feelings... it helps me relieve and reduce my stress... but most of all to remember to show my "Gratitude" and be thankful and to keep up my Gratitude Journal.

So as we start this new month.. of June.. I want to start out on the right foot .. by remembering to be thankful.. for ALL things... and learn from them.. and take the POSITIVE from ALL situations..

Aloha and A Hui Hou...............