Ho’oponopono

I was recently re-introduced to Ho’oponopono, through a YouTube video. It essentially means “to make right” with yourself. I began using it and already feel a difference in my life. A Hawai’ian native, Morrnah Simeona, adapted the ancient traditional Ho’oponopono practice of her people for use in modern times. The 4-line version, made famous by Joe Vitale, may be closest to what Dr. Ihaleakalá Hew Len, her student, envisioned. His student, Mabel Katz now carries on his work.

As Ms. Katz puts it, Ho’oponopono is a process of forgiveness, repentance and transformation of ourselves. Everything that appears in our lives is only a projection of our own ‘programs’. We can choose to observe them and let them go, or to react and get caught up in them. It’s an apt time to practice Ho’oponopono, as we introspect on the year that’s been and look forward to the year to come.

The backdrop here showcases the dramatic cliffs and pinnacles of the Nā Pali Coastline of Kaua’i. This PhotoGram can be a great addition on your wall or even your desktop as a reminder to include the Ho’oponopono practice in your daily life.

Happy birthday, Lennon!

‘Imagine’ has been Lennon’s most successful album, and the title track, his most famous song. Nearly 50 years after it’s release, we still hold hope that the lyrics will one day be the norm on planet Earth. You may say that we’re all dreamers…

The photo features the majestic perennially snow-capped Mt Tantalus, as seen from the Sea to Sky highway, north of Vancouver BC. It’s the tallest peak in the range, at 8,540 ft.

Bridge across forever

Richard Bach was my first window to seeing the world outside of the conventional box that we were raised in, in the last century. I still own the books published in the 1980s, including the one this quote is taken from, ‘The Bridge Across Forever: a lovestory’. His semi-autobiographcal fiction writing gave one an understanding of planes that fly, as well as planes of thought and planes of existence. The suspension bridge is from, well, where else…Vancouver of course. The Lynn Canyon suspension bridge is lesser known and thus less crowded than Capilano, and spans the spectacular canyon to provide views of the river and waterfalls below.

Golden state

Where would you find fields of golden yellow poppies swaying in the soft breeze? In their home state, California, of course! These particular ones were just up a hillside bordering a freeway. The spring wildflower bloom continues, with different sets of flowers showing their colors each week. It’s a pretty amazing scene. Get out in nature and see for yourself!

About that art

The sun was setting as we got to the beach, and a fishing boat was pulling up with it’s catch for the day. A bunch of people crowded around the boat looking for fresh fish to purchase. This little fellow was stuck in the net and made quite a pretty picture. I don’t know what became of him eventually, but he did get immortalized in this PhotoGram.

A moment in time

Thich Nhat Hanh, the famous peace activist and Buddhist monk has recently returned to his native Vietnam to live out his final years. I remember visiting his rally in downtown LA years ago. We listened to speakers and drummers, and practiced mindful walking in the large park. It was all very peaceful. Kind of like this mimosa flower, quietly exuding its inner beauty, alongside the wall of a home in Goa, India.

Renewal

Recent rains in southern California are helping to turn black to green. The hills blackened by fires are visible in the background, but the beautiful green signals rebirth, renewal and hope. Note Mr California Cow with his very symmetrical form, staring straight at you.

Happy Halloween

Our ‘hood here has been very creative with Halloween decor of hooded creatures, skeletons and pumpkins. I love the dressing up for Halloween too, but personally prefer ‘happy’ to ‘scary’. May our choices, whether it be for Halloween, the upcoming elections, or just life, truly reflect our hopes, not fears.

Epic epi

I made this PhotoGram into a canvas print for a dear friend recently. It features a lovely epiphyllum bloom, from the backyard of the home we just moved out of. The quote is a catchy 1965 song written by Hal David, with music by Burt Bacharach, and popularized by the voice of Jackie DeShannon. I first remember hearing it in a Calvin Klein commercial. Listen to it once and it’s stuck in your head… which might not be a bad thing actually.

Interdependence

I can’t do, without you…. 🙂 Got the Abba song going on in my head now. A friend pointed out these symbiotic plants to me on a recent hike in the Santa Monica mountains. It’s amazing how the delicate climber latches on to seemingly dead branches so it can make it to the sunlight. A reminder that all of us need each other, regardless of our strengths and weaknesses. Co. Exist.

Unity in diversity

Spring break found us hiking in the San Jacinto area mountains. Sighting the huge, multicolored rock pile on an Idyllwild trail got me humming this quote. It’s taken from the lyrics of a well-known song by the international music group, Gen Verde, and basically reiterates the principal of unity in diversity. The PhotoGram had to be made 🙂

Spring is in the air!

New blooms, new berries sprouting all over in late winter are promising a colorful springtime. Young people are rallying everywhere with chants of “give peace a chance”. Don’t know about you, but these red berries do make me smile…Spread the peace!