Hawaiian Insights Blog

From Surviving to Thriving

2010-03-05T17:28:00.003-10:00

Now that we're well in to 2010 - are we having fun yet? The economic indicators are all over the place, so who knows what "the economy" (whatever that is) is going to do.

What's important is not "the economy" but your business. Any business can thrive during these times. Even during the Depression, luxury goods were sold, real estate was bought, and fancy cars were purchased.

What makes the difference for our businesses is whether people want to do business with us because we're fun. I went to Kaua'i a few months after Hurricane Iniki. The devastation was everywhere, yet many shops and restaurants were open. In some places a wall of despair hit me as I opened the door. I turned around and walked out. Who wants to stay there? But one restaurant was jumping. This restaurant was unscathed, but another cafe had been wiped out. Two two restaurants joined forces in the same space - one opened for breakfast and lunch, the other for dinner. It was a great place to go no matter what time of day.

If you are fun to do business with, you'll always have business.

Forgive in Advance

2009-09-02T12:57:00.002-10:00

Is there anyone in your life who is a little bit annoying - or a lot? Someone that you just dread talking to. Try forgiving them in advance. On your way to the meeting, say to yourself the name of the person and "I forgive you." Do it five times and see what happens.

I tried it yesterday and what a difference! Was she different or was I? Either way, she didn't annoy me at all, we had a great meeting and got a lot done.

If you try it yourself, let me know what happens.

Forgiving the little things

2009-06-22T21:24:00.002-10:00

Jesus said, "Love your enemies," and perhaps we think of Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. The idea of loving them - or Hitler, or Bush - is beyond us. So let's start with little steps. Not our enemies, but our irritants. The driver who cut us off in traffic. The shopper blocking the aisle with her cart. The woman in exercise class who has the perfect body. Our spouses, partners or significant others.

Dr. Fred Luskin in his book Forgive for Good, says that we can learn to forgive the big things by starting with the little ones. Forgiveness is like a muscle, it must be built up over time. When you find yourself annoyed or irritated, take three deep breaths and silently say to that person, "I forgive you, I forgive you, I forgive you."

Watch what happens in yourself. Does your irritation lift? Do you feel more happy? Does the tension in your muscles release?

Forgive for Good

2009-06-12T22:13:00.002-10:00

I was honored recently to complete a training certification program with Dr. Fred Luskin of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, author of the books Forgive for Good and Forgive for Love. His research and that of others in the field has proven that grudges, resentments and judgments have negative effects on our health and well-being. He developed a process for letting go of the past and moving into a life of grace.

We co-presented a workshop for members of Unity Church of Hawai'i, and a few weeks later one of the participants came up to thank me. She said, "I've read all the books, taken all the workshops, watched all the DVDs. This is the first thing I've learned that actually worked." Even more powerful was the look on her face. In the past, I always had the impression she was carrying a lot of pain. On this day she looked radiant and 10 years younger!

That's why I am so excited to be sharing this work with audiences now. Contact me to learn how forgiveness and mercy can make a difference in your business, association or organization.

Granny's Guide to Having a Great Depression

2008-11-10T13:08:00.001-10:00

Think about your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. The ones who lived during the great depression and the great war. Weren’t they remarkable? They called both of these horrible events “great.” That’s what made our fore-bearers great: their character, attitude, work ethic and spirit. They not only survived hard times, they thrived.

We have their genes. We can do it, too. If we listen to their advice, we can spend less, lose weight, be healthy, live green, stop global warming and achieve inner peace.

Some of this advice is common sense – but are you doing it? This program reminds you of what you always knew, and inspires you to do it. You’ll also hear new ideas from the ancients of Europe, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas, as found in the Bible, Tao te Ching, native wisdom and old proverbs.

In future posts, we'll cover how they taught us to Delight, Work, Move, Eat, Relax, Love and Pray.

New book & multi-media show of Hawaiian secrets to reduce stress

2007-11-02T11:56:00.000-10:00

Learn how the ancient Hawaiians reduced stress and lived their lives in balance with the new book, Hawaiian Massage Lomilomi: Sacred Touch of Aloha. Available now here. The 120 stunning photographs by Emmy Award winner John Kalani Zak are part of our new multi-media show for meetings in Hawai'i. Contact us to book your next event.

Meetings Trend - Spirituality

2007-08-29T13:52:00.001-10:00

A Vice President from PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) said in a recent speech that meeting planners are looking for spiritual experiences for their attendees. One hot topic is forgiveness.

The ancient Hawaiians knew a lot about forgiveness and practiced it through the process of ho'oponopono. Today, there are many variations on ho'oponopono. Traditionally, ho'oponopono involved the entire family in prayer, reflection, confession, meditation, forgiveness, reconciliation and letting go. It took hours or days. Today, there are streamlined and updated versions.

During my program on "Hawaiian Secrets of Life Balance" we practice forgiveness. Many people come up later and say that it is so powerful, they already feel better, and they know their relationships will improve.

You can practice it yourself, right now. Think of someone you're angry with - or a little bit annoyed - and silently say to them, "I love you. I forgive you." Keep saying it until you feel your heart soften towards them. Keep saying it silently when you're with them, and see how they treat you. Let me know how it goes!

Lomilomi Your Life

2007-05-22T20:19:00.000-10:00

What can we learn from Hawaiian healers about reducing stress and restoring balance in our own lives? Traditional practitioners of lomilomi engage in a way of life that is in balance. They have aloha 'aina, love of the land, so they connect with nature every day. They breathe. They practice forgiveness. And they touch people physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually with the touch of love or aloha. You can bring that touch to your life by simply giving your loved ones heart-felt hugs every day.

Don't Exercise - Play Hard

2007-02-26T09:50:00.000-10:00

Every morning when I walk on the beach, I see Henry. In his 70s, Henry is always happy, vibrant and alive. He swims a mile in the ocean and then walks two miles. 3 days a week he works out at the Y. To him it's not exercise, it's fun! My mother is 80 and she walks two miles a day, plays tennis and swims a couple times a week, works out at the gym, and for fun she square dances. She is the happiest person I know.

I asked my mom once how she got herself motivated to do all this. She said it's hardest first thing in the morning. She said, "Get up, put on your exercise clothes, go to the bathroom, and walk out the door. Don't think about it or you won't do it." Thanks mom!

Keiki kane, keiki wahine - the little child inside

2007-01-21T21:23:00.000-10:00

Last week I visited Uncle Allen Alapa'i of Hanalei on the island of Kaua'i. He talked about the lessons he learned from his grandmother. She said to look for the keiki kane, keiki wahine - the baby boy, baby girl - inside everyone. When our little child comes out to play, the world is a better place. This is supported in the latest scientific research as reported in Gregg Braden's new book, The Divine Matrix.

How to let out the little child? Uncle Allen says, "Blow bubbles!" Of course it sounds silly - that's the point. But if bubbles don't do it for you, think back to what you loved to do when you were 12. Then do it!

Schedule Your New Year's Resolutions

2006-12-29T09:10:00.000-10:00

Do you want to actually keep your New Year's resolutions? Research shows we are more likely to change our habits if we set up support systems. Your calendar is an important tool. It's not enough to say you'll exercise, or to sign up for a class, or to join a gym. Only if you create time in your calendar will you have the time to do it. Want to get organized at work? Organizer systems can support you to do that - and then schedule time in your calendar every day to use those systems. Want to eat right? Set aside time to research new recipes, shop for food, and cook. Block out time right now for the next 3 months, and watch yourself change!

Not the Same Holiday Stress Advice

2006-12-11T22:32:00.000-10:00

This time of year, newspapers and magazines run articles counseling us to do less to stress less during the holidays. But sometimes we can't do less. Does that mean we're doomed to stress?

No. Busy people thrive -- IF they love what they do. While you wrap presents, write cards, run errands, bake and shop, remind yourself you're doing this for people you love. Smile! Sing! Give thanks for all the people in your life, from family to fellow shoppers.

Science shows that if you make the conscious decision to enjoy the holidays, you will.

Happy holidays!

ASB Proves Support for Hawaiian Artists

2006-11-20T13:54:00.000-10:00

A fair number of companies in Hawai'i say they support Hawaiian values. But how many of them walk the talk? Kudos to American Savings Bank for proving their support. The bank recently renovated the corporate headquarters, and contracted with 28 local artists to provide paintings, scuplture and lighting. Many of the artists are of Hawaiian ancestry, and many of the art works reflect the bank's commitment to Hawaiian values.

I have a personal interest in this because my husband is one of the artists selected. You can see his lamps at MarkChaiArts.com So often we have watched as one company after another uses mainland architects and artists to try to create a Hawaiian sense of place. They can't do it!

Do you want Hawaiian values to permeate your organization? Think locally, act locally.

Real Stress Reduction or a Band-Aid?

2006-11-07T09:22:00.000-10:00

A professional speaker friend just flew in from the mainland to speak to employees at a small company here. The company knew its employees are stressed due to long hours, traffic problems, and poor morale. To solve this problem, they hired my friend to come in and speak for an hour on how to use humor to release your stress.

My friend is a wonderful speaker, but let’s face it, an hour of making people laugh is not going to solve their problems! In fact, because they were dragged away from their work for this meeting, it no doubt increased their stress levels. And if they ever found out how much he was paid, their stress would go through the roof!

To reduce stress, employees need tools they can make into habits to use every day. Yes, keeping a sense of humor is important, but there are 5 choices we can make that have been proven scientifically to reduce stress. Anything else is just a band-aid.

Aloha in the Blackout

2006-10-25T21:58:00.000-10:00

The blackout of Waikiki and Oahu after the earthquake last week was an opportunity for Hawaii’s aloha spirit to shine, and shine it did. Thanks to the flexibility, adaptability and compassion of employees in our hotels and restaurants, all our visitors and local people were taken care of.

This was a great example of how people can change in an instant if they are motivated and if they are given the freedom to come up with their own ways of handling problems. Instead, most corporate change initiatives that come from the top down de-motivate employees and take away any opportunity for them to be part of the change.

No business executive can make all the decisions that have to be made in a crisis. They understand that and give employees rein to do what needs to be done. Imagine the corporate vitality if we created a system where employees could do that all the time!

Makana Risser Chai
CEOwww.HawaiianInsights.com