Love and it's many forms.

I think we can all agree that human relationships are pretty darn complicated. Whether its your relationship with a family member, friend or romantic partner, it doesn't always flow smoothly. As American writer, Elbert Hubbard once said, "A friend is someone who knows loves you just the same." No one is perfect. Everyone has their flaws-naturally when people form relationships it won't be perfect.

Despite relationship's head spinning complexity, human connection is truly beautiful. Recently, I have come to realize that the heated fights and laughing nights my closest friends and I have had are all forms of love. As much as we would like to think that love and hatred are extreme opposites, they are practically the same thing. Love turns into hatred as easily as water turns to ice. The same goes for hatred. In an instant hatred turn to love as ice melts into water.

I'm convinced that the key to happiness and successful relationships is acceptance and compassion. Accepting people and the world for what it is and treating it with kindness. To my friends, family and the rest of the world. You are all beautiful people with amazing qualities that I greatly appreciate.

Does familiarity give us the right to cruelty?

As blissful as my summer has been, there have been some rude awakenings. Lately, I have spending a lot of time with my family and extended family; besides the love between us all, I unfortunately also noticed the deceitful and degrading behavior that spreads like wildfire.


In today's society, familiarity seems to grant us permission to put down, and lie to one another. I'm doing that with my closest friends and my own family. I realize it needs to stop. Around my friends I'm often bluntly sarcastic, and, my family members can be overly critical of my action and I hide and lie way too often to my own family. It's not just me and my family that acts this way. It's a shame that comfort in this society translate to poor behavior. As hippie-ish as this sounds, I truly think constant compassion for oneself and for one another is the key to beauty and happiness. We should treat ourselves, our family, our friends and every person we encounter with compassion.

Bon Dance

This was my Saturday night. Bon Dance, under the paper lanterns and stars. Bon dance is a traditional Japanese dance and an important part of the present day culture in Hawaii. In Hawaii the Bon season runs during the summer and is free of charge. It is a great way to experience the modern day Hawaiian and ancient Japanese culture. The dance steps reveal a lot about Japanese culture. I personally had a beautiful experience last night re-connecting with my culture and heritage. You do not have to know the movements-simply follow the person in front of you. Come with an open mind and heart. Bonzai!

Are adults and children really any different from one another?

My mom tells me I'm acting like an adult now, but the more I think about it I have to disagree with her. Just because I enjoy shopping with her in the Women's (opposed to the junior section) section in Macy's or reading Shape magazine (opposed to Seventeen magazine) doesn't mean I'm any more mature than I was when I was 12. I'd like to think that a part of being an adult is having more courage and self-acceptance, but I'm beginning to realize that adults are just really big kids.

The monster in the closet just takes a new form. The difference between children and adults is that adults try to barricade the closet with their ego, while children actually admit their fear of this mind-created monster. Children are actually the braver ones; they instinctually admit the fear and use love to overcome it. A simple cuddle is all it takes to remove the monster of fear residing in theirs heads. Adults cower away from any affection and choose to run away from whatever monster they have created in their mind.

I'm beginning to really notice how often fear starts creeping into my and my family's life. I thought I stopped frequently stressing out about unimportant things, but really I'm just revisiting my insecure, worry wart 12 year self. I still worry about getting the highest grades and having the best looks and smallest waistline and an amazing boyfriend. My worries now are exactly the same. I can't wait to deal with taxes...

Childhood is really the best time of human beings life. Children confront, accept and overcome their fears to enjoy life. I miss being able to play without the need for victory to spoil a light game of tennis, I miss being able to live in the moment. I miss the ignorance, indifference and innocence. Being adult should not include abandoning your inner child. That person will guide you through your most darkest time. There is nothing wrong with using the night-light now and then.