Patrick and I recently spent two glorious weeks in Kauai. We vacationed like pros – lots of long walks, tropical drinks in beach chairs, and frequent orders of Kalua pork and poke bowls. It was the most time that we’ve spent away in two-plus years, and it was one of the most unplanned trips that we’ve ever taken in terms of activities and reservations. The goal of the trip was to take everything day by day, and for two people who aren’t naturals at relaxing (the words “I need a vacation after this vacation” have been uttered many times in the past), I believe this was achieved. I have since learned that we were really living the true meaning of “aloha” while we were in Hawaii.
I think we all recognize the greeting of “aloha.” You probably are aware that the word means “hello” and “goodbye.” I know very little about the Hawaiian language, but during this trip, I read that, while “aloha” is used regularly and can have numerous contexts, there is a lovely meaning when you break down the word. “Alo” means “sharing” or “presence” and “ha” is “life energy” or “breath of life.” If you string it all together, “aloha” can be interpreted as “sharing the breath of life” or “the presence of life energy.” The word “aloha” is so much more than a greeting, a catchphrase, or a colorful bumper sticker – it’s a way to live and an acknowledgement of life.
What I’ve taken away from this translation is the importance of the literal meaning of “aloha.” When you say “aloha,” you are praising that you are alive and celebrating the life energy of the world and people surrounding you. It’s enough to be here, to be present, and to fully share in this energy exchange with your environment. To me, it’s observing the joy and good fortune of living another day and appreciating living life in the moment.
While on our trip, I believe Patrick and I did a pretty good job of honoring “aloha.” Our days weren’t overly scheduled and we both took a nice break from work and the usual everyday stresses of life. We woke up early and asked, “What should we do today?” over coffee and the sounds of rustling palm fronds and crowing roosters. We read books, left drink indents in the sand, and wandered on trails hoping that we were heading in the correct direction. We swam with fish and turtles, chatted with people from all over the country, and sampled new fruits and foods. We went to bed early, played card games, and watched the waves roll by and the sun dip low. Our two weeks in Kauai were serene and (dare I say it) boring – but in the best way. We were living very presently and thinking about how we really wanted to live life that day.
It was a gift to get to think about how we would spend our days. We weren’t racing to get somewhere or planning ahead days or weeks at a time. We were mindful in our interactions with ourselves, each other, and the awe-inspiring environment around us. Our days were spent simply, and that was not only perfectly fine, but welcome. We can spend so much of life filling up, spending, or killing time, and our Kauai trip was a fantastic reminder of just living and noticing what was happening moment to moment.
It was enough to observe the towering height of the trees around us, the happy shrieks of children on boogie boards, and that tingly warm feeling when you know you need to apply more sunscreen. We basked in the lush beauty of our surroundings, felt the lapping of the ocean at our heels, and drove with the wind in our hair. We were alive and we noticed how alive and wild our surroundings were. We saw and felt so much “aloha.”
I’m aspiring to bring back more “aloha” with me. On chaotic or depressing days, I’m hoping to still notice all that is alive and present around me. I hope I still notice the little snores that the cats make sometimes, smell the earthy, full aroma of freshly ground coffee, watch the rosy glow the curtains have at sunset, and feel the smoothness of sheets as I get into bed. I want to pay closer attention to these moments that ignite my senses and remind me how magnificent life is and how lucky we are to take each new breath. We all have a chance to live more “aloha” today and everyday – let’s breathe it in.
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