Time. Everyone that lives here is always working. Always! Trying to live the island life. If you come from the mainland, then you will find this place to be expensive. I expected it to be expensive… Understandably so, everything gets shipped here from elsewhere. They have Wal-Mart and Costco… You can buy a week full groceries and cook the recipes the natives give you… I loved cooking such recipes.So much hard work to make this place into paradise. Thank you.
Paradise is defiantly a state of mind for everyone who decided to see it that way. Everyone I spoke to that came here from elsewhere came here because of his or her thought of paradise. I met a lot of awesome people. Everyone with his or her own paths in life… Searching for peace. Strength. Love. Faith. Hope. Understanding.
About 75% of the people I met told me what they left in the mainland. And for a lot, it was sadness. Feeling like they needed a new start. A new adventure to get taken out of their old life. Some still working through it, others not working through it and now feeling more depressed. At some point I hope they fill their empty whole.
I met others who say that their lives came around. Some had lost loved ones and came to fund healing. They say this island is a healing place. I would agree with this. I came with the only expectation to enjoy and take it in. I found that I was not a burden to the people who accept you here because that’s just what you do here. You support others when you allow yourself to be kind. “Everyone here is nice because they are in vacation, who wants to deal with bull shit when they are on vacation?ā
***
Recently, I was caught in the rain. I was at the beach, chilling, taking pictures, enjoying myself and I found a tall tree to hide behind as the rain fell. It was also windy, so you can only imagine how painful the rain hit. Thank goodness for that tree. After the rain calmed down I walked to the bus station. Still, raining, not as hard, but defiantly wet. I had my towel wrapped around me, hair wet, and hoodie on under the towel. I was standing in a bus stop with no rooftop. Just the bus sign and me. Loads of cars passing by. One Gentleman asked me if I needed a ride to the next city. I declined because I was alone. Second car that stopped was a surfing chick that asked if I needed a ride…there really was no space for me in her car, she had her surfing board, and so I declined. Third person stopped, asked me if she could take me to a bus stop with a roof, I accepted.
I was tired of being soaked, wet and hungry. LOL an experience I tell you.
While at the bus stop I met a young woman. She had come back from the main land because she just endured heartache, parting from a 5-year relationship. We spoke about life, the differences, how most men are cheaters and donāt care how they can hurt someone. I understood her all too well, been there. My question on this is, as a woman, what do we or should we allow, compromise for having āsomeone/company?ā Being an Independent woman is great, but we, at least I do, still have the want of a man in my life. I can only imagine what conversation can come from this.
Do I have to bare pain from a manās stupid choices? Iāve always been told that someone elseās choices are just that, their choices, you did not do anything wrong to lead him there… they did it all on their own. You can opt to continue to love them, deal with them, forgive them, and move on. Hoping they donāt continue making you look like a fool. Or you can do the same thing to them, of which is VERY common sense that a man cannot handle their woman to cheat on them. But in the end, I guess its what one allows, and the choices we make… choices. I hope she make the best choice for herself, makes sure she is valued in high regard, adored, respected and loved back by her man. All I have to say is what my friends once told me, first time, shame on him…second time shame on you if you stay after two. And Hopefully there is no Two.
***
People surely come here for many reasons. A Get-Away is the main one. Which only takes my mind to the word avoidance. And my question then is… Avoidance? Coming from my training and thinking, avoidance only then creates other problems… Eventually causing underlying issues that overtake with out you even expecting things to change in your life…a general theory…but wow. Imagine? That was my mind running.
But Iām one also having a Get-Away. Avoiding the workload of letters, emails, writing, and home life. Coming for fun, adventure, which Iām surly getting, a twisted ankle after slipping coming out of the Ralph Lauren store while it is raining and Iām wearing sandals, (yeah I know, only me). Wanting the closeness of my boe, because I choose to be in a long distance relationship with someone who makes me laugh and is not always bombarding me with what are you doing or woman you NEED to do this or that… Coming for the awesome weather, and its VERY awesome, way better than LA right now. The weather helping reduce my bone pain. Also, trying to figure out what I want for my future too… getting away from stress for a bit.
All I can say… this took my mind away.
Overall, I have found that no matter where I am, or where I travel I am blessed that I am able to enjoy and live life. I am constantly reminded that I have the choice to view life, as I want it. I have will. If I put myself out there to be successful I can be. Also, that I can make anywhere paradise. After all, California is not so bad. I also come out with the knowledge that homelessness is universal. Mars probably has homeless people too. But it reminded how sentimental I am as a human. Something I felt Iād lost while working as a psychotherapist. I though Iād lost that part, only to find that Iād avoided that part of me. So now that Iāve found it, Iām ready to go back to helping.
You will be surprised what re-kindling you do when you are away of the daily hustle and bustle. Much-recommended place in Oahu: North shore. Be one with you, nature, play some golf and be with God or whatever youāre higher being is. My adventure still continues for 6 more days in this island. Ok, Back to Vacation for me.
Leave me a comment, Want to hear what you think.
Smile (if you want)
Jes Sofia Valle
