Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
K is for…
Ka ‘ohi nani – a Hawaiian word meaning “gathering beauty.”
I’ve recently come back from a retreat where I had a chance to do some deep reflection on my life – where I’ve been and what’s calling to me now. It was such a rich transformational experience. When it came time to return home, I was caught in a bit of dissonance. Between weather delays and airplane malfunctions I had to unexpectedly spend many hours in the airport, with fellow travelers, many of whom were becoming increasingly distressed, agitated and unhappy. I believe we have way more power to choose what we’re willing to engage in and how we respond to things that we often allow ourselves to believe. And since I didn’t really want to move from my bliss-charged retreat state into agitation over something I had no control over, I sat with my journal and made a list of things I love. As I was doing it I realized I was gathering beauty. Ka ‘ohi nani.
It’s a randomly ordered, entirely incomplete, heart-happying list…
The secret decoder badge my husband gave me; my favorite color combination these days of deep turquoise and ruby red; Japanese paper wallets; how extraordinarily blessed I am to have such wonderful, talented, generous, and loving people in my life; my soul sister friends who provide endless doses of love, support, laughter, and sanity preservation; expansive teachings and deep rememberings; felted flowers, medicine bundles, and magical stones; natural perfumes; mehndi-adorned hands and secret messages written on my feet; libraries and long lists of books to delve into; fat bumblebees; handmade paper; scented herbal beads; lilacs and peonies, bleeding hearts and lily-of-the-valley flowers; anthropomorphic vintage salt and pepper shakers; my beautiful divinely-guided business; the luminous color of leaves in Spring; waterfalls; being gifted with feathers; Chinese wedding baskets; stumbling upon unexpected groupings of mushrooms and wondering if faeries are nearby; reading poetry; windy days where I’m certain if I simply put my arms out wide I could fly; saying hello to the moon; finding delightful surprises in my mailbox; wicker suitcases; polka dot bowls and my pink and gray china; folklore and fairytales; the kind heart of my brother; red shoes; fortune cookies; my quirky old house filled with eccentricities and love even if it’s no one else sees it quite that way; my nightly dream theatre; falling stars and rainbows; my weekly CSA delivery of local organic goodness; gingko leaves; apothecary chests and drawers filled with treasures; crows; mystery marathons on PBS; cryptic crossword puzzles; my Winky Lux lip balm with the tiny flower inside; handmade books and journals and zines; saying hello to trees on my walks; hanging things off every doorknob in my house; blossoming tea; weekly calls with my circle of beloved friends; flower essences; blitz kuchen; sacred geometry; misting my bed linen with some wonderful potion before settling in for the night; laughter and friendship; and most of all my life. This life, this life, this beautiful life.
What about you? What beauty have you been gathering? Do tell – you know I’d love to hear.
I love this idea. I think I did it instinctively when I was a teenager and in love with L.M. Montgomery novels. Noticing beautiful things all around…
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
Oh I can see how that would be a wonderful response to Montgomery’s writing. May we always keep our eyes and hearts open to beauty!
I think its something like count your blessings type.And yes, even my list will be long, with entries that are not related at all! But if I put them together, it would be like a kaleidoscope.
And now a days reading variety of blogs is also something that I am loving a lot. This sure will find an entry in my list!
Thank you for introducing a new word…gathering beauty…”Ka ‘ohi nani”
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Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
Collage Of Life
I love the image of a kaleidoscope of blessings Anagha.
And I, too, am enjoying this April full of reading, writing, visiting and finding treasures. Such fun! Thank you for stopping by.
what a lovely collage Deborah! Sometimes it takes an unexpected happening like plane delays to make us sit still and reflect on all that is lovely in our lives. And especially to realise that we have the power within to choose as how we respond to matters.
Your question – what beauty have I been gathering? The small things, looking out into my garden, helping someone out at work today and her appreciation, looking up at the moon at night, looking at different environments as I go driving here and there in my car, reading a blog such as yours.
I love your gathering Susan. There is so much we can lean into, with no effort at all, and yet what a big difference it makes.
I loved this post. After reading dozens of blog posts, I found this one relaxing. The very word “Ka ‘ohi nani” is beautiful in itself. K is for Kindle and KDP as you Build a Better Blog. #AtoZchallenge.
Thanks Shirley. The word really IS beautiful isn’t it? Heart music I think.
I find beauty in people – and I don’t mean the physical kind! Sometimes my wife says that I am so laid back that it’s a wonder I don’t fall over.
Your mention of the airline passengers getting agitated resonated with me; sometimes I can’t understand other peoples anger. I think I need to get angry more often – just can’t do it!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s recondite Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
LOL – I love that laid back image Barry. And I, for one, am glad that angry isn’t one of your go-to responses.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your serenity.
I like the statement about choosing our attitude. Life has always seemed better when I’ve chosen a positive attitude to a situation. Girl Who Reads
I believe that whole-heartedly. Wishing you positive attitudes and lots of joy.
Listing things we love, what a beautiful use of our time! Such wonderful things in your list!
Janet
K is for Kihncert
Thanks Janet. I think it’s a delightful practice that helps keep us in the now moment of gratitude.
When I am tempted to get down and out about something or anxiety starts to creep in I like to try to pull back from it. To remind myself to let go of what I can’t control. And to count my blessings. It is impossible to stay down when you start considering all the ways you are blessed.
Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I totally agree Barbara. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful deal filled with things that delight.
What a wonderful way of dealing with the stress of an airport and all the delays.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings – Shapeshifters and Werewolves
It’ll be nice when one day we have instantaneous travel and there’s no opportunity for anyone to stress out. But in the meantime I think it’s great fun to practice being a “gatherer of beauty.”
Hi Deborah … K is for Ka ‘ohi nani – meaning gathering beauty … it is the time of year for beauty … and I’m loving seeing the flowers bloom, the hedgerows start greening up, the trees flowering or leafing in which ever order they’ve decided … being at peace and keeping well away from stress … an essential – and smiling sweetly and helping others … all gathering beauty for all souls … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/l-is-for-legendary-beasts-of-britain.html
Beauty gathering indeed Hilary. May you always find it in abundance.
Reading through your list, every time you mention something about your house, I had to laugh. We might be living in the same one!
Long ago, I decided to surround myself with “beautiful things”, which of course means what I find beautiful. Others might find them curious, but they feed my happiness. Rainbow colors, colored glass that paints the light. Crystals and prisms that paint rainbows on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Natural wood. Found nature objects. Handmade artworks in many media. Gifts from the heart. Old photos. Books. Celestial things. Long periods of silence. Simple sounds of life. Positive people. Comfortable chaos.
Far too long a list from me. lol
Thank you, Deborah, for a beautiful word to describe how I want to spend my life.
A perfectly wonderful list Sue. And I’m smiling too – we most certainly could be living in the same house. How fun!
A beautiful post that made me smile. So many wonderful things on your list that would make it onto mine. Like fat bumblebees and mushrooms in the forest. I’ll add old books, cats chittering in the window, wind in the trees, belly aches from laughing, moon and starlight. 🙂