Aloha e everyone and welcome to August 2004 of Kaleo O Nani Newsletter!

 
Are you as anxious for the election to get here and over with as I am?  Rhetoric flying, outrageous innuendos and sometimes outright lies just insults the intelligence of we the American people.  I find my self shaking my head often and wishing the journalist would just stop with the power shuffle to get on the front page or "top" news program.  Then the power shuffle dance moves to the pundits who often say, "well the American people want this or that!"  According to polls comes next, I have never had a national news pollster call me, have you?  Then there is the making over of all candidates whose records we have watched over the years, come on and say to us, "well what you are reading or seeing isn't really accurate, because this is what he/she really meant to say or do!"  I find myself shifting from laughing to talking back to the television or turning it off.  This is what I think!  Ready?

Point to Ponder: "Voting is sort of like friendship, its yours to give or with hold.  It is not for sale.  It is a gift of confidence after you and I, having weighed the consequences (long term and short term) of giving this gift."(or not)   

Decision/problem solving techniques require weighing consequences, long and short term and applying the Why: So what do I do when a serious decision like voting for local leaders , Senators, Congressmen, or President of the United States, particularly in a time of war, is on the horizon?  We are ladies and gentlemen at war!

                      First I ask myself the"Why" question. 

Why is something I always ask first, because when you can answer WHY, the who what when where how, falls into place. Reflect for a second.  In all phases of problem solving or making decisions when you answer why you are doing this, or why you should/could/would then the next phases of completing tasks come to you faster. 

Then I apply to the why, grandpa's Hawaiian wisdom, and ask as he would " is it true Nani Girl?"  If it is, act on it, if not, throw the garbage away and move on.  

So let's try it now.

Scenario is based on "voting is sort of like friendship" as stated above; below are the facts as I researched and comprehend them.

Why?  Hate for who we are and what we stand for killed thousands of us on 9/11.

What?  Terrorist attacked us.

When? On September 11

Where?  New York, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania 

Who?  Identified Muslim or Islamic Terrorists sent by a Mr. Bin Laden who preaches hate and has been plotting against America for years.  Other hate groups around the world some are copy cats.

What for?  They hate our lifestyle amongst other things. (envy, only super power the list is endless...........cutting to the chase they don't like us and who we are as a free people)

What did we do about it?  We stood up as a nation and said," when you hurt one of us, you get to deal with all of us!" 

How did we do it? We sent America's sons and daughters once again to take out the bad guys.  We liberated men, women and children in two countries.  We strengthened our intelligence network.  Work hand in glove with allied intelligence, together are taking down terrorists networks.  We are in the process of helping the liberated countries take their own freedom back.  We foiled plots in our country to strike again.  We decided it is best to fight on their land rather than ours.  We have a president named Bush whom the terrorists fear. 

What did we learn in the process? We learned the evil of the Taliban and how oppressed the Afghan people were.  We uncovered that France, Germany and Russia were blocking helping us because they had financial interests with Mr. Hussein of Iraq.  We found current weapons made by these countries in Iraq once we liberated the country.  We found no major stock piles of WMD's but we did find traces.  We learned Iraq is inundated with caves and sand dunes they could be hidden in or possibly sent to Syria.  We found mig fighter jets buried in the desert.  We found hundreds of grave sites and mega thousands of mass murder bodies.  We found that the UN is corrupt and were taking bribes from terrorist states.  We found evil beyond comprehension including mass murder graves, rape rooms, torture chambers, children's prison, lavish palaces and a dictator hiding in a hole in the ground. 

What did we learn of our troops and ourselves?  We found again that our troops are the bravest in the world.  Our modern weapons have prevented mass dying of our troops, much better than the five figure thousands we lost in WW ll, Korea and Vietnam.  We have lost fewer troops but each and everyone is a profound lost.  We have learned we are impatient and want everything fixed yesterday.  We are wavering in our unity and want miracles to take us back to Sept. 10.  When this happens the terrorists sense our weakness and are able to infiltrate easier.  The up coming election is causing rhetoric to raise potentially risking the lives of our troops or intelligence gathering field operations. 

Who helped us?  First we helped ourselves!  We found 31 countries who formed a coalition with us, some of them have lost troops.  We found that the Iraqi people are afraid to reach out in case we leave them "hanging".  The media is not giving credit to the countries who have troops particularly those who have also lost life.

What did we learn about ourselves?  We made mistakes. We have to make sacrifices at home in America and to our chagrin we aren't always good about doing that.  Some of us lost jobs, some of us stayed on unemployment beyond the norm.  Yet, we are resilient, we are coming back. Vigilance is the word we MUST adapt to.  We learned no one could have prevented these attacks unless we had captured Ben Laden when he was offered to us by Sudan however even that is not clear.  Not one of us believed this attack could ever happen on our soil.  We learned we have one brave president named Bush who makes decisions based on America's interests not the UN, France, Russia or Germany.  We learned the terrorist hate him and most important fear him because he keeps his word.  We learned this is a new type of war that none of us wants to be involved in.  We learned that everyone's intelligence system was broken from the UN, Russian, England, France even ours.  We better shape up!

Summary Conclusion:(my judgment yours may be different)

Did we do our best with the cards dealt?  In my judgment, Yes!  Do we have a ways to go?  Yes!  Should we be changing administrations in the middle of a war?  In my opinion NO! 

Back to Why?  This is no time for On the Job Training.  Visualize the transition months and how weak our security becomes during that period.  We set ourselves up to be soooooooooooooo vulnerable and invite another attack or many attacks.  No decision maker in any job, company or country would jeopardize their company let alone an entire country. Most important, if we do not win this battle over terrorists and they manage to bring the battle to us again, with a weakened administration then every social program, our children, our way of life will be held hostage to terror activities such as we see everyday on television now in Israel and Palestine. 

Ask yourself, I did!  Do we have the stomach to fight dirty bombs here in our back yards?  We the people cannot show weakness for a second, we the people cannot think the way we did on September 10, because September 11th did happen.  That is raw reality!  That is the hand we were dealt and it is the hand we must win.  As Margaret Thatcher once said, "this is no time to go wobbly!"  We do not have that luxury in my judgment. 

Why?  Anyone who has come from poverty, lived in the streets know "when you yield to the bully they own you."  That is a fact!  This is the time for unity of the highest order. Hollywood is about play acting for a movie, this is real life and our future is at stake. 

So, this brings us back to why I believe voting is sort of like friendship.  This time I am voting as an American citizen who places her country first and self interest last.  This is going to be the most telling vote of this century.  I believe it is a battle of good and evil! Terrorists or us.

Does that mean the candidates are evil?  No!  It means we need the strongest leadership and united resolve NOW!  It means if we do not win the war on terror, then no special interest, Medicare, health care, child care, social security, jobs, environment, gas lines, money etc. will matter.  None of it works if we are fighting the battle here and thousands of us die because others hate us and worse if we cast votes based on "hate" as some in the media and the party I was raised in are suggesting.

I invite you to apply the "why" to your own quest. 

Enlightenment or "ah ha" moment for me came this way:  I watched Susan Estrich, Democrat leader and law professor, whom I have always respected, on television two nights ago and her venom against any democrat not holding party line was offensive.  It is search out and destroy mentality towards anyone who has a longer term vision for the welfare of our nation and not fall into line.  Her body language, her words and her insistence on party loyalty was revolting to this listener.  It was a sad moment for me and what led to this article you are reading. 

The Democratic leader being interviewed was entitled to his opinion, in essence, he was threatened by her that he and other Democrats who forgot party loyalty were going to lose.  It was how she said it that was obscene, offensive and sad.  She lost my respect.

Its our military who fight that give us our freedom not pundits,reporters, Hollywood stars, party loyalists, politicians, lawyers, environmentalists,  protesters etc. and it is freedom of speech for all our military fight for.  Not just a select few. 

Hate should never drive any election, life decision, business decision or family decision.  Upon reflection I saw Ms. Estritch project the sick attitude of her party who searches out and destroy good party people or anyone else who differ to win at all costs.  That was the straw for me!  Oh ka shame! (as we say in Hawaii)

Why?  Hate is what drives terrorists and caused the attack on 9/11, and the continuing battle we fight against today. When we think like them we are reduced to their level.  This is my heart felt judgment.

Research and ask the why for yourself, that is what makes this country great. Then give your "vote of confidence gift", just as you would your friendship, to those worthy of your trust.  Reflect, take your time of solitude during sunrise and sunset when creators wondrous  moments of oneness is more evident and there "present your own why".  Seek the silence within.  Those who can, seek the silence of "I" and your higher self.  I did! 

I am in listening mode, send me your comments I love hearing from you and absolutely you can disagree with anything I say.  This is your newsletter, there are two ends to a pencil one to create, the other to erase.  I am but a lowly pencil.  You get to decide which end of the pencil to use, or delete button, choice is forever yours to make. What a country!  Thank you Native Americans for sharing your land with us.

Enjoy often,

Nanipuaaalaomaililaulii - White Raven

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Comments from readers on tidbits:

Nani,
This is an excellent piece of work,
a vivid reminder that as we form our habits
we form our character and as we form our
character we create our destiny.
(This was a Chinese saying generations ago.)
Nice going,
Aloha,
Burt  Arizona

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Nani
I would write this all out (#1), except I am getting ready for my trip.  But wanted to drop you a quick note to say, once again, I think your stuff is fabulous.  I love the "You are invited to find out HOW YOU CAN, RATHER THAN WHY YOU CANNOT" that is so important and we aren't reminded of that often enough. 
You are one smart chickie!
MB
Spokane

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Good Morning Nani,

It is a beautiful day and the Sun is calling all of us to address the beauty of this day Creator has sent us.
I love the words you have written. It reminds me of what my mother said to us as we were growing up.  "Start something today and finish is" no matter what it is - big or small, start and finish it.  In doing this we Honor the Day Creator has given us and Creator will give us another. 

Love Iris Montana


                                          
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Business Tip:  Did you know?

       First rule of business is to keep everything simple

and logical.  There is no rule no. #2,  those are guides.
Tell/write/plan/organize it so people find it simple,
logical, doable, NOW!
 
Many business have failed because of not taking this simple rule to heart.  As you know I teach it too but often find myself checking and double checking to stay at pointed simplicity.
                                                               Nani

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility.  

                       Albert Schweitzer 1875-1965 Nobel prize in 1952 

                                           

Spirit of Hope Recognition for August

This month am asking you for nominations for this award.  Once a year we choose one person out of those who were recognized monthly and present a plaque and a hand made horse.  Why the horse?  "When you fall get up again and again and again, whatever it takes because for this person, "quitting is not an option."  Am certain you know of such people, email me their story or yours.

 

PS:  My Kelli Kat is doing marvelous thanks to herbs.........He is walking, still limping a bit and favoring his left back leg but to go from paralized to walking is in itself a miracle of belief.  I didn't ask creator to cure him, I asked only that this loyal pet who helped keep me stay alive once before, not be paralized from his double stroke.  Three days later and ever since, he is running.  Feed the body what it needs and it will heal itself so he is staying on the food herbs, and we thank creator everyday.......Thanks to those of you who have asked about him..........N

 

"Better than the one who knows what is right is he who loves what is right."  Confucius

 

MASTERING THE ART OF LIVING
By Nani Aki Linder

                                                               

                                       Kanaka Maoli Take 1

 

 

  Hawaiian Kanaka Maoli Wa Apana canoe paddlers understood what happened on September 11 on a different level then most.  December 7, 1941 came roaring back into our psyche.  Many people said to me, "oh this is much worse than Pearl Harbor."  In the number of lost lives perhaps it was different, but not in the aftermath, the rebuilding, the stench of death, the horror of war beginning and the "why us" that inevitably follows.  Those who study history know that Hawaii came under marshal law on Dec. 7, 1941, there was barbed wire and heavy concrete lookout's dug into the mountain tops.  Bunkers appeared on all the beach fronts.  Women were issued what they called bunny suits for the children.  (These are gas masks to put babies into and all carried gas masks.)  All windows were sprayed with black paint for all were in blackout conditions.  My mom tells of going to Honolulu in an ambulance in the dark of night in August of 1942 for the birth of her first child, our sister Kuuleilani. 

The morning of the attack by the empire of Japan, my parents were headed for a picnic.  They were newlyweds still.  They lived on one of the Hawaiian homesteads, named Nanakuli on the leeward side of Oahu, (you call them reservations here on the American continent) located close to the Naval Lualualei ammunition depot.  They watched the planes of the rising sun and heard the whistle of the bombs dropping and massive explosions that shook the earth where they stood.  They listened to the radio announce this was not a drill, we were under attack.  Dad and his brothers drove mom back up Haleakala avenue then headed straight for Pearl Harbor.  Dad was a welder then and he and his brothers were strong swimmers and divers.  Mom did not see them again for days she can't remember how many.  Hawaii came under marshal law.  Dad  never spoke about those first days of the war and what he experienced.  We studied about it at school, went to the memorials at the shipyard, were respectful and supported military efforts.  Played in the bunkers years later and during the Korean war days  which lined the beaches.  Some are still there today, the bunkers in the mountains are used by the civil air patrol at Maili point.  The ammunition depot is better protected with mazes of underground bunkers and are off limits to locals.  Much of our Hawaiian land was confiscated and still in use by the Military.  Dad would only say everyone worked hard for days and weeks and many signed up once the president declared War. 

The only question my dad asked about Ron prior to our wedding was, "did he serve his country?" Ron, an employee of the National Weather Service served in the United States Navy and was still in the reserves during Viet Nam but was never called up.  We were stationed on Wake Island in the pacific, A tiny atoll built on a crater rim for military use during the time of President Johnson's  Viet Nam.  I was an International Ground Hostess meeting contract carriers for FMC corporation.  We watched thousands and thousands of troop movements going to Viet Nam and then returning.  Those who saw horrific combat duty had a haunting presence and would not speak of what occurred.  Those who had minimal back line duty were often heard "talking about being a Nam vet."  Interesting parallel.  When we were stationed in Alaska, we met many pilots, game wardens, airline personnel who were very deeply affected by their service in Nam.  All of them had one thing in common, they were like my dad, they didn't want to talk about it.  One of our friends, a talented former green beret had a self portrait hanging on the wall.   It is the most haunting portrait I have ever seen.

Our dad's wishes upon his death was for me to help my mom with the paper work needed for mom's transition, his funeral and the tons of paper work necessary.  He was so methodical and neat.  When I opened the files, I found a presidential citation and medal.  None of us knew he was in the army, we knew he was in the Hawaii Air National Guard forever it seemed.  At his funeral, many men from Pearl Harbor came and shook out hands and told us stories of our dads helping them or they wouldn't have the high ranking positions but for our dad or as one veteran from the Korean War said, "your dad was the only man who could whip my butt in Karate, did you know he was a 5th degree black belt?"  I was stunned as were my sisters. The man who told us this was a police officer who served in  special forces in Korea, his hands were registered with the police as lethal weapons.  My point:  Even in death our father taught me lessons in not resting on ones laurels nor using them as a tool to stay stuck in one place.  He did his job, moved on and made a life raising three daughters and a son (who died at age 3 from Leukemia)demonstrating by walking the walk how we were to live our lives.

If you have not seen the movie Pearl Harbor, I invite you to watch it and observe in particular the rescue scenes in the harbor before and after the bombings.  Seeing through the eyes of a Hawaiian Kanaka Maoli Wa Apana canoe paddler;  as I watched the movie, I saw a minute glimpse of what daddy would not speak of.................Our dad was one of the Hawaiian divers who searched for bodies, welded open as many sides of ships that he could along with countless others to rescue our servicemen caught unawares that day and endless days after.  It brings an ache to my heart even as I write because I see through my dads eyes and I understand why he did not speak of this horror.  He did instead instill a sense of patriotism, honor in serving ones country and always respect for and insisting we participated in decorating graves of the thousands of soldiers who rest peacefully in our islands. 

Now New York, Washington D.C., and a little town in Pennsylvania know, feels, understands depths of war and its consequences as those who survived Pearl Harbor, Guam, Wake Island, Europe, and yes even Nagasaki and Hiroshima.  They share a haunting experience that keeps them alert, hyper vigilant, sad and just a tad angry. 

This is indeed a story of human hope, not sadness, because out of the rubble comes vigilance, better understanding and love of country, respect for military sacrifice and most of all lessons learned from experience not taught in any books. 

Water's edge during time of war is the call.............do you hear it?  Hawaii , New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania does...."Freedom is not free" grandpa VA used to say, wata's edge nani, wata's edge." 

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Reflective moment: Promise me as soon as you get home today you will tell the person you love that you love them.  Catch your kids, spouse and co workers doing stuff right and say, "you know I love it that you are my child, wife, parent."  Tell your employee's how wonderful it is that they work for you and what can you do to make things go smoother.  Did you know the sweetest name to anyone's ears is their own name?  Call folks by their name.  And when you see a service man or woman, shake their hand and say thanks for keeping us free.

 

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Next Months Guest Writer is Darlene who will tickle your life with money tips and integrity.  She is a skillful writer and has some e-books you will want to grab for yourself.

University Of Life Fall Conferences

Watch for details in September issue. 

Women's Health and Wellness Conference

Children's All About Me Leadership and Cultural Immersion for Teachers Conference

I will be in Hawaii from Nov. 11 to Dec. 2, 2004

 

A hui hou dear hearts until next month September 10, 2004

 

www.universityoflife.info    509-467-7714      nani@universityoflife.info