Ho‘ohana Aloha

A question arrived in my email yesterday morning, for which a short answer just wasn’t possible. I am also very aware that I do not have a great answer for this question, and certainly not a complete one. Yet I am going to try my best here, for I think the query makes for good Sunday Mālama reflection for us, and I could use your help!

The question sent also could not have been asked of me at a better time, for as I am reminded of by this month’s value, Ha‘aha‘a, it is a question I must be very humble about answering. It is a question which makes me feel somewhat small and unworthy, and presumptuous even in my trying. The answer is one I can easily think about, and there are answers I believe to be true, but I cannot say they are answers I would claim to know.

The question was from a gentleman who does not live in Hawai‘i, and who is making his way through the reading of my book, Managing with Aloha. Michael wrote,

“Rosa, can you tell me anything about the history of how Hawaiian values developed?”

Oh my. Could there be a bigger question?

‘Humility’ is a widely understood word. It’s not one of those words people will pause to look up the meaning for. Generally, people love the thought of humility. It’s one of those ‘good’ values we strive for; one we admire. Yes, most people feel they know what it means to be humble.

Demonstrating it however, is a whole other matter…

Are you a manager?

Is customer service what you need to deliver?

Read this. It won’t take that long, just long enough so that those words “milkshake moment” will always mean something to you.

Hey, I know… give The Milkshake Moment, then reward yourself with a Cinco de Mayo maggie :) 

Meet Clay Collins.

I absolutely love a great About Page with a welcoming photo ~ very close in spirit to the waving on my mind today! (Also love a WordPress blog that doesn’t look like every other WPproductivity clone out there…)

Besides my title link, be sure you read this too: On Alternative Productivity and Anti-Hacks for Living.

Concise but illustrative posting by new blogger David Masters on the self-improvement must-know Japanese concept of Kaizen.

Read what David has to say about welcoming good habit-building practices into your life, and comment for him in encouragement! I am eager to see this young man continue his writing journey, for it is full of promise, and his core focus is Le‘ale‘a, the Hawaiian value of playfulness, something we can all use more of!

“For kaizen to work, two key ingredients are required. The first ingredient is thoughtful reflection. The second ingredient is massive action.”
~ David Masters

It is amazing how a simple, humble wave of our hand in acknowledgment of another human being can make such a huge difference.

Today is Dean Boyer’s birthday, and we are the ones who are getting a gift to celebrate! Dean has written a new article for us on Joyful Jubilant Learning.

Please do leave your birthday aloha for Dean in the comments there, just as JJLers Greg, Tim, and Amy have done so far (we all know how special birthdays are!) … Surprise him!